IHS Grant Fund Success Stories: The Secular Student Alliance

Established humanists had set up well known and successful youth programs, ranging from humanist kids camps and daycare to conferences, but there were few organizations specifically aimed at the collegiate and high school levels. With help from generous donations, including more than $100,000 from the Institute of Humanist Studies Grant Fund, the SSA has grown tremendously in the past 6 years, and continues to make an impact on the college scene today.

2003 marked the start of what the SSA refers to as their "Broad-Base Plan" -- the 3 year initiative to have established chapters of the SSA in schools across the nation and around the world. Through this plan, the SSA hopes to generate respect for the non-religious community by "attaching a face" to it.

A $23,000 award from the IHS enabled the SSA to put this plan into action. Students strengthened the existing groups while they worked hard to establish new ones. Through brochures, an improved website and mailings, they worked to get their voice heard in the larger community. The work paid off. The SSA formed 9 new affiliate groups, hired a full-time campus organizer and sent speakers to conferences of the American Humanist Association and the Humanists of Florida. The SSA also became full-members of the International Humanist and Ethical Union and Secular Coalition for America.

Further growth was made possible through a $30,000 grant from the IHS Grant Fund in 2004. The SSA was able to focus on publications -- not only brochures and newsletters, but complete "event kits" and power point presentations for newly founded chapters. By the end of the year, the SSA had more than 30 student affiliates up and running, and had 35 campuses interested in creating a chapter of their own. A web based affiliation survey made it possible for easy communication between branches. Nationally, the SSA was now in contact with more than 25 freethought groups, and continued to send representatives and speakers to conferences.

2005 was even more successful. $35,000 from the IHS Grant Fund allowed the SSA to start creating its own grant program for the chapters who hosted the largest, most successful humanist events. The group began to reach beyond students to target its alumni. They now boast 12 international affiliates, with sister organizations in Bangladesh, Canada, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. More than 2,400 people now subscribe to their electronic newsletter.

With a $35,000 IHS grant in 2006, the SSA is looking forward to even more networking and strengthening of their cause. They realize that increased cooperation both within and outside of the group is essential for further success.

The SSA's 5th Annual Conference, held during August 2005 at The Ohio State University, attested to the extremely encouraging work that they have been doing. Tim Gordinier, former public policy director of the Institute of Humanist Studies, attended the conference as a speaker.

"I'm confident that these students will be the leaders of tomorrow in the humanist movement," Gordinier said of the SSA.

In 2006, the SSA hosted a joint conference with the Atheist Alliance and is now supporting an unprecedented 76 affiliate groups.