RELEASE: Richard Dawkins Foundation Makes Donation to Atheist Student Movement

For Release: IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT
Contact: August Brunsman - (614) 441-9588 - august[AT]secularstudents[DOT]org

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science issued a $5,000 donation to the Secular Student Alliance, an umbrella group organizing and supporting atheist, agnostic and humanist college student groups. The donation was inspired by a recent $50,000 matching challenge issued by Secular Student Alliance member Todd Stiefel.

"I salute Todd Stiefel for his matching offer," said Dr. Dawkins, noted biologist and author of New York Times bestseller The God Delusion, encouraging the foundation's trustees to make a donation. "The Secular Student Alliance is the future. Or it had better be, if there is to be any future worth having!"

The contribution came at an important time, since the economic downturn has affected fundraising even as the organization's operations have expanded. The number of affiliates receiving support has grown more than 250% in the past three years and now includes over 190 student groups.

"We're extremely grateful to Todd Stiefel and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for their support," said August Brunsman, executive director of the Secular Student Alliance. "As the presence of secular students grows, we want to be there to help them promote the positive ideals of scientific and critical inquiry, democracy, secularism, and human-based ethics. Mr. Stiefel and Dr. Dawkins' generosity will certainly make a difference."

As of today, over $45,000 has been collected twoards Mr. Stiefel's challenge. The challenge runs through Dec. 21 and all donations, membership dues, and other contributions are eligible to be matched dollar-for-dollar. Tax-deductible donations can be made through the organization's website at www.secularstudents.org.

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The Secular Student Alliance is an educational nonprofit that supports a network of over 190 campus groups which promote the ideals of scientific rationality, secularism, democracy, and human-based ethics. Learn more at http://www.secularstudents.org.