Foundation Beyond Belief

With so many charities operating around the world, it can be difficult to decide which ones to support. Is it better to give several small donations to many charities or make one large contribution to a particular cause? How do you choose between helping starving children, protecting the environment, or supporting human rights? How much of your donation is actually going to the cause instead of the support of the charity?

The Foundation Beyond Belief, founded by author Dale McGowan, helps with those decisions by screening charities and selecting those that support a secular humanist approach to giving. A system is in place to set up automated monthly donations, and one-time donations can also be made. Consider the following information from the Foundation Beyond Belief:

Many people associate churches with charity, yet nontheists regularly contribute to a variety of charities as well. The difference is largely a matter of organization. While churches can focus their parishioners toward a particular charity, nontheists often work on their own to research and select the charities to which they want to contribute. Additionally, they are frequently faced with the challenge of finding charities that support the chosen cause without using a portion of their contribution to fund a church ministry.

The Foundation Beyond Belief is a non-profit charitable and educational foundation created (1) to focus, encourage and demonstrate the generosity and compassion of atheists and humanists, and (2) to provide a comprehensive education and support program for nontheistic parents.

Each quarter, the Foundation researches and selects featured charities in 10 areas:

• Peace
• Child Welfare
• Animal Protection
• Education
• Health
• Environment
• Human Rights
• Poverty
• "Big Bang" (Small charities, donations would make a big impact)
• Foundation Beyond Belief (the operation of this foundation)

Members join by signing up for a monthly automatic donation in the amount of their choice, and distribute it however they wish among any or all of the categories. The distribution can be changed at any time. One-time contributions are also accepted and all contributions are fully tax-deductible.

Featured beneficiaries may be founded on any worldview so long as they do not proselytize. At the end of each quarter, 100 percent of the donations are forwarded and a new slate of beneficiaries selected.

The Foundation itself is funded through grants, the annual $9 membership fee, and discretionary donations. It is listed as one of the charitable areas so members can choose to allocate a portion of their donation to the Foundation, if they wish.

Members can join a social network and participate in forums centered on each of the ten categories of giving. They can advocate for causes and help the Foundation choose new beneficiaries each quarter. Membership is open to all, both nontheist and theist.

On the educational side, the Foundation will help create and fund local groups for the education and social support of humanist/atheist parents.

The Foundation Beyond Belief's Mission: To demonstrate humanism at its best by supporting efforts to improve this world and this life; to challenge humanists to embody the highest principles of humanism, including mutual care and responsibility; and to help and encourage humanist parents to raise confident children with open minds and compassionate hearts.

For more information, please watch the following introductory video and visit the Foundation Beyond Belief website at http://foundationbeyondbelief.org