American Humanist Association

The American Humanist Association strives to bring about a progressive society informed by humanist values of reason, compassion, and egalitarianism. We are accomplishing this through our defense of civil liberties and secular governance, by our outreach to the growing number of people without religious belief or preference, and through a continued refinement and advancement of the humanist worldview. The American Humanist Association's strategic priorities for the next three years are: elevated profile for humanism in society, equality for humanists alongside theists, expanded humanist involvement in social justice, community opportunities for humanists, and accelerated participation by young humanists.

The American Humanist Association (AHA) advocates for humanism and humanists in the United States in a variety of ways.

Our legal center defends the rights of atheist, humanist, and secular minorities in the courts, while adding the humanist perspective to the most consequential church-state separation cases in the United States today. Our work expands religious freedom in the United States for all, which, as part of the First Amendment, is recognized as one of the most fundamental rights enjoyed by citizens of the United States. Through direct litigation, amicus briefs, warning letters, legal advocacy, and engagement with policymakers across the country, our legal center continues to make a lasting impact.

The AHA is also increasingly involved in lobbying Congress in support of humanist issues or in opposition of anti-progressive legislation. With a full-time lobbyist on staff, we meet regularly with Representatives and Senators to advance humanism and raise awareness of new bills or laws that may affect humanists and the non-religious community. We also regularly mobilize activists on our email action alert network to write and call their representatives regarding issues of concern to humanists.

The AHA proudly works with over 220 local groups throughout the United States to advance humanism at the community level. AHA local chapters and affiliates receive a number of benefits, including free promotion and materials, public relations and grassroots organizing support, and grants to be used for outreach. The AHA also provides activist training annually for local leaders in conjunction with its annual conference.

Humanist philosophers and advocates have long advocated for progressive policies, such as reproductive rights, LGBT marriage equality, racial equity and environmental stewardship. As an increasing number of disenfranchised groups in America continue to be denied equal rights under the law, the AHA employs full-time social justice staff working to directly tie humanism in alliance with racial and ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQ people. Our Black Humanist Alliance, Feminist Humanist Alliance, Latinx Humanist Alliance, and LGBTQ Humanist Alliance position us to make a difference. We are an active member of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and we help organize protests for racial justice, immigration fairness, reproductive health access, environmentalism, women’s rights and other key humanist causes.

The AHA educates the public on important humanist issues. Through our education center, we offer a wide range of resources designed for humanist individuals and groups across the spectrum. Our programs take an innovative approach to teaching humanism, fostering ethical leadership and growing community for the humanist movement, through online and in-person classes, lecture series and publications.

The American Humanist Association was founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington DC since 1999. As a result of our organization's long history, AHA leaders have developed strong networks in order to gain influence in the government, media, and general public.

The AHA employs 20 staff members, most of which are located at the organization's national headquarters in Washington DC, and interns throughout the year. Our staff includes experts in management, fundraising, public relations, legislative outreach, and community building. The AHA is governed by 12 members of the Board of Directors and oversees an annual budget of more than $2 million. Many of the AHA's board members are longtime humanist leaders and professionals in law, business, nonprofit, or science.

As a result of our activism and work to build professional relationships in Washington DC, the AHA is a member of a number of legislative coalitions, including the Coalition Against Religious Discrimination, the Democracy Initiative Coalition, the National Coalition for Public Education, the Respect for Marriage Coalition, LGBT Lobbyists Group, Stop Torture Now Group, and the International Family Planning Coalition. In addition, thanks to our unique mission of representing the growing non-religious community, AHA leaders have participated in meetings with the White House's Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the U.S. State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, and the Foreign Service Institute.

The American Humanist Association's increasing membership, access to elected leaders, wins in the courtroom, and number of media hits for humanism are a result of our long-term strategy to bring humanism to all aspects of activism and life. It is clear through national polls that our work, particularly in highlighting many of the intolerant beliefs of traditional religion, has resulted in an increase in the number of atheists and agnostics in the United States, and the number of religiously unaffiliated Americans is growing at an even faster pace.

As we look forward to the coming three years, uncertainty about our nation’s wellbeing could not be much higher. The health and financial security of Americans are at one of the lowest points they have been in modern times, while unrest regarding the nation’s failure to adequately address White supremacy and other civil right issues is at a high point. At the same time, the courts are more biased against church-state separation and progressive humanist values than they have been in a century.

The American Humanist Association, while affected by the same financial pressures others are facing, remains in a strong position to advocate for humanism and humanist positions in the public square. We retain a highly professional team of staff and volunteers capable of lobbying, litigating, educating, promoting and engaging in public debate on foundational humanist principles. Our broad base of supporters and activists remain as committed to the AHA as ever. And the AHA has the means and the will to build on its past visionary approaches to social change to seek justice for all in our society while playing an important role in improving our world.

Within that context, the AHA will promote the philosophy of humanism, embrace the full population of American humanists, and advocate for humanist positions with individuals, communities, governments and the entire public.