Dear Friend,
At the end of the year, many of us step back and take stock of the last twelve months. Were there challenges, and how did we face them? Are there things to celebrate, and things to avoid in the future? How well did the year align with our view of the world and our place in it?
I find this particularly relevant in light of the news that President Jimmy Carter died yesterday. Few devout Christians in a position of prominence have aligned as closely with our values as he did. Our friend Amanda Tyler, who heads one of our partner organizations, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, has published an excellent remembrance of President Carter in TIME Magazine; I encourage you to read it.
Speaking of partners; one thing we certainly prioritized this past year was the collaboration with a wide variety of aligned organizations. Building bridges, both within the atheist community and in the broader civil rights community, gives us an opportunity to be at the table and show how church-state separation and atheist equality are directly linked to protecting all Americans. These partnerships build our capacity, grow our reach, and gain us more allies for the critical fights to come.
I am heartened by the vibrant and welcoming community we’ve built and continue to invest in. Just look at how joyfully diverse our membership is—whether at our national convention or in our network of affiliates all across the nation. We’ve gained the trust of a broad range of people who contribute their own talents, skills, and viewpoints every day.
And I can’t let this year end without talking about the level of integrity our staff, volunteers, board members, and activists bring to the table. I know that each and every one of us here at American Atheists will go out of our way to help and support our members, partners, and the people we represent. That’s part of every step in our new strategic plan, and it’s also reflected in our Donor Bill of Rights.
So, with a look back on what we have accomplished, and a glance toward what promises to be a difficult and strenuous year, I want to thank you for your support. Knowing that you trust us to handle the important issues of civil rights for nonbelievers and the separation of church and state fills us with immense gratitude.
On behalf of all of us here at American Atheists, thank you for your commitment and your generosity, and we look forward to being here with you in the New Year and beyond.
In solidarity,
Nick Fish
President
P.S.: Many of our members have already responded to our request for year-end support; thank you so much. If you haven’t had a chance to do so, there’s still time to make a year-end contribution here, or mail a check to our office at 225 Cristiani St, Cranford, NJ 07016. Everything we do is made possible by friends like you.
American Atheists is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, nonprofit educational organization that relies on the support of members like you. Contributions are tax-deductible. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 74-2466507 and our Combined Federal Campaign number is 52217.
American Atheists
225 Cristiani Street
Cranford, NJ 07016
United States