MILITARY ASSOCIATION OF ATHEISTS & FREETHINKERS

Fighting for the Freedoms We Defend

aka MAAF, Atheists In Foxholes   |   Washington, DC   |  www.militaryatheists.org

Mission

The Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers builds community for atheists and humanists in the military. MAAF connects military members from around the world with each other and with local organizations. With active programs for trainees in need at every military Academy and other military basic training, we speed support to those most in need. We send care packages to deployed service members and fund speakers, resources, and training materials for local groups to ensure the most vibrant local programs.

Notes from the nonprofit

MAAF is by and for humanists and other nontheists in the military. MAAF joins many organizations in resisting Christian proselytism by military officers, but is unique in providing direct assistance to nontheists in the military and in providing authentic humanist counsel to military leaders. The question is when military leaders will accommodate atheists, humanists, and other nontheists with the same zeal they accommodate Christians or even Wiccans.

Ruling year info

2012

President

Mr. Jason Torpy

Main address

1821 Jefferson Pl NW

Washington, DC 20036 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

45-3987347

NTEE code info

Military/Veterans' Organizations (W30)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

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Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Military personnel serve our nation honorable and deserve our support, without religious discrimination. MAAF provides support to humanists and other nontheists to fill the gap left by a chaplaincy that has no humanists or even training about humanists. Atheists and other nontheists live and love, deal with loss and mortality, are married and buried, and do so in the context of their own core values and beliefs. MAAF provides care packages, local group support, coaching, local leaders, and the support community they need. These are all the things chaplains do for everyone but us. We fill the gap chaplains have left, and we also work every day to inspire chaplains to open their hearts humanists and provide the same support they do to others.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Educational & Policy

The second pillar of the MAAF mission is to education military personnel and leaders on how best to support atheists and humanists in the military. Unfortunately much of this education also involves answer why we should receive support. In many ways, the support MAAF provides is like that of a religious denomination for its adherents. This education includes policy letters, advocacy letters, resource lists, and in-person meetings with chaplains and other military leaders who hold the keys to the resources atheists in foxholes need.

Population(s) Served

The MAAF mission is to build community for atheists & humanists in the military. This happens through international membership, local groups on military installations and ships, local civilian nontheist groups, and collaboration with friendly organizations. We also reach out to the military to inspire military leaders to create a welcoming environment for nontheists in the same way they do for other diversity communities in need.
The outreach we provide also includes local group meetings, online, and in individual and conference calls to help build community. These meetings relate to a growing body of resources including documents, research, policy statements, and personal experiences that can better communicate our needs and empower local leaders to build strong communities.

Population(s) Served

The Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers helps to affirm the values of atheists and humanists in the military. We advocate for military personnel who may not believe in a god but who do have strong personal values, and benefit from a supportive network of atheists in foxholes. This is a goal of positive outreach, but it cannot be successful without pointing out violations and lack of respect that marginalize and ostracize nontheists in the military. The greatest frustration of MAAF is the light-of-day violations, which are violations that occur without even a concern that there is an issue. To the extent these go on with no response or even acknowledgement of the damage done to the culture of respect in the military, then atheists and humanists are unlikely to feel like military leaders will afford them equal opportunity in the military.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Average number of service recipients per month

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Community Outreach

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Approximations of care packages care packages, attendance at local group events, and direct inquires responded to (advocacy/education). 2018 boost includes air force basic training.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

A military where nontheist service members are accepted, valued, and afforded equal rights by building local nontheist communities within the military, doing the work to empower individuals, to educate military leaders, and to change policy as necessary to fulfill our vision of equal rights.

- Support service members directly with personal relationships and services.
- Support service members directly with advice in tough times.
- Build strong local communities by supporting local leaders with visibility, grants, and recognition.
- Ensure national visibility and pressure by building coalition with humanist, atheist, and secular groups.
- Overcome anti-atheist bias by building coalition with interfaith and chaplain organizations.

Internally:
- Board and staff experience of over 100 years of service in all branches of the military.
- Close connection with active duty personnel in all branches all over the world.
- Efficient programs and stable financial management.
- Small structure allowing for quick reaction to outside events.
Externally:
- Personal relationships of nearly a decade between MAAF and the board and directors of every nontheist organization.
- Lack of competing military atheist organization gives MAAF unique perspective and service.
- A long history of outreach to Pentagon and Congressional leaders.
- Comprehensive research and programs available online for those looking for support.

- Recognition for Humanism throughout the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, along with atheist, agnostic, no religion, and 'none provided' options for religious preference.
- Presented fully qualified Humanist Chaplain candidates through the Humanist Society and settled DoD litigation to allow for future applicants.
- Created initial training Humanist service options for Air Force and Navy Basic Training, and the initial summer training at the 3 major military academies; Air Force Basic Training regularly serves over 1000 weekly.
- Membership is nearly 5000 with steady growth, but only a small portion of potentially 40k active duty and many more veterans interested.
- Sent hundreds of monthly care packages to all deployed members who have requested it, and we continue to.
- Most importantly, we have provided for over a decade the only real support for humanists and other nontheists in our nation's military. We look forward to when the DoD will be true partners in that mission. Until then, we need your help.

Financials

MILITARY ASSOCIATION OF ATHEISTS & FREETHINKERS
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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MILITARY ASSOCIATION OF ATHEISTS & FREETHINKERS

Board of directors
as of 03/14/2019
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Jason Torpy

Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers

Brian Engler

Military Operations Research Society

Carlos Bertha

US Air Force Academy

Cody Heaps

United States Marine Corps

Lana Harvey

USAF School of Aerospace Medicine

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes