The Institute for Humanist Studies Grant Fund awarded more than $114,000 in grants to humanist projects for 2008.

From India to Uganda to Belgium to New York, the IHS Grant fund is empowering youth to embrace reason and compassion.

The grants are decided by a committee of leading humanist philanthropists. Since 2000, the IHS Grant Fund has awarded more than $1 million. The IHS Grant Fund considers all proposals that advance humanist principles. Innovative projects are prioritized. To learn more about the IHS Grant Fund, visit: humaniststudies.org/fund

Specific projects awarded grants for 2008 are:

	Atheist Centre - Harnessing Youth to Fight Superstitions and Witchcraft Vijayawada, India Awarded $9,558 The Atheist Centre will use this grant to enhance the capacities of youth and children in understanding humanism through critical inquiry and rational thinking. As an aid to expose superstitions, Magic Camps and investigations of the claims of the paranormal will be conducted.
	Human Resource Development Foundation - Demystifying the so-called Supernatural Feats New Delhi, India Awarded $5,000 The Human Resource Development Foundation will use this grant to conduct comprehensive programs in 30 schools and colleges to demonstrate and explain the scientific basis of miracles, magic and other so-called supernatural feats performed by charlatans.
	Vasavya Society for Rural Development - Education for Social Change Hyderabad, India Awarded $15,000 The VASAVYA Society for Rural Development will use this grant to promote scientific temper among teachers working in rural areas and reach the parents through students to eradicate superstitions which are hindering the growth of villagers.
	International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization - Building Bridges of International Communication especially with (Young) Humanists in the United States Anderlecht, Belgium Awarded - $9,000 IHEYO will use this grant to continue their communications project by hiring a staff person to continue developing international communication.
	Ugandan Humanist Effort to Save Women - Establishing UWESWO Association at Makerere University Kampala, Uganda Awarded $10,442 UHESWO will use this grant to empower female freshers at Makerere University to embrace the humanistic virtues of human rights, self-help, self-alliance, courage, science and reason.
	Secular Student Alliance - Campus Organizing Program Albany, N.Y. Awarded $40,000 The Secular Student Alliance will use this grant to run their Campus Organizing Program by supporting the volunteer efforts of atheist/humanist college and high school leaders in starting and running groups at their schools.
	Camp Quest - Camp Quest Coordination and Expansion Program Albany, N.Y. Awarded $15,000 Camp Quest will use this grant to hire a part-time executive director who will strengthen and enlarge the current Camp Quests.
	IHEU-Appignani Center for Bioethics - 2008 Lecture Series New York, N.Y. Awarded $10,000 The IHEU-Appignani Center for Bioethics will use this grant to continue their lecture series and conference on bioethics issues bringing together experts in the field of bioethics.

Most of the money for the IHS Grant Fund comes from a restricted gift from the National Philanthropic Trust. The Institute's motto is borrowed from former U.S. President Harry S. Truman: "It is remarkable how much can be accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit." To learn more about how you can support the IHS Grant Fund, click here.