Hi friends,
As we head into the holiday season and the close of 2025, I want to take a moment to acknowledge just how challenging this year has been for so many in our communities—and to sincerely thank you for everything you’ve done to show up for people where you are. Your leadership, care, and steady commitment have made a real difference, and we truly appreciate the time, energy, and heart you bring to this work.
Introducing our new team member!
Most of you should have seen an email from me earlier this week introducing Ruwaida Shaikh (she/they), our new National Field Organizer. In case you missed it, Ruwaida is an immigrant and longtime New York City organizer, and brings years of experience supporting community engagement and building grassroots capacity alongside immigrant and working-class communities. Their work emphasizes collaboration, harm reduction, and effective, community-centered approach. Having them join us will expand the capacity of our grassroots and field work. Once they are settled in, they will take on some of the tasks that you have relied on me for in the past few years. Please welcome Ruwaida!
Most of you should have seen an email from me earlier this week introducing Ruwaida Shaikh (she/they), our new National Field Organizer. In case you missed it, Ruwaida is an immigrant and longtime New York City organizer, and brings years of experience supporting community engagement and building grassroots capacity alongside immigrant and working-class communities. Their work emphasizes collaboration, harm reduction, and effective, community-centered approach. Having them join us will expand the capacity of our grassroots and field work. Once they are settled in, they will take on some of the tasks that you have relied on me for in the past few years. Please welcome Ruwaida!
Relaunching the Community Grant Program
We’re excited to relaunch our Community Grant Program to support affiliates engaged in direct action and mutual aid. This year, we’re offering $500 grants to groups running projects that address food insecurity. We created this program to help fill the gap left by the closure of Foundation Beyond Belief/GO Humanity, and with ongoing cuts to SNAP and other safety net programs, we know the need in our communities is only growing. You can support this effort by sharing and posting our Community Grant Program fundraiser—100% of the funds raised will go directly back to our affiliate groups. If you have a direct action or mutual aid project that we can help fund, please apply here. Applications will be taken and funds will be awarded on a rolling basis.
We’re excited to relaunch our Community Grant Program to support affiliates engaged in direct action and mutual aid. This year, we’re offering $500 grants to groups running projects that address food insecurity. We created this program to help fill the gap left by the closure of Foundation Beyond Belief/GO Humanity, and with ongoing cuts to SNAP and other safety net programs, we know the need in our communities is only growing. You can support this effort by sharing and posting our Community Grant Program fundraiser—100% of the funds raised will go directly back to our affiliate groups. If you have a direct action or mutual aid project that we can help fund, please apply here. Applications will be taken and funds will be awarded on a rolling basis.
Coming up in 2026!
As many of you know, we will not be holding our annual convention in 2026. We were originally scheduled to host the World Humanist Congress in Washington, DC, but earlier this year we made the difficult decision to move that event to Ottawa. While nothing can fully replace our national convention as a time to gather with friends and build community, we are working on several events for next year to help fill that space and keep us connected.
As many of you know, we will not be holding our annual convention in 2026. We were originally scheduled to host the World Humanist Congress in Washington, DC, but earlier this year we made the difficult decision to move that event to Ottawa. While nothing can fully replace our national convention as a time to gather with friends and build community, we are working on several events for next year to help fill that space and keep us connected.
World Humanist Congress
While we are sad that we are not hosting WHC2026, the event is right next door in Ottawa, Canada from August 7-9. You will join leading activists, scholars, officials, and visionary thinkers to foster learning, forge powerful collaborations, and define our collective strategy. This is where participants don’t just talk about change; they collectively address the world’s most pressing issues and reaffirm a shared, defiant commitment to core humanist values like reason, human rights, and secularism. Register now!
While we are sad that we are not hosting WHC2026, the event is right next door in Ottawa, Canada from August 7-9. You will join leading activists, scholars, officials, and visionary thinkers to foster learning, forge powerful collaborations, and define our collective strategy. This is where participants don’t just talk about change; they collectively address the world’s most pressing issues and reaffirm a shared, defiant commitment to core humanist values like reason, human rights, and secularism. Register now!
America’s Semiquincentennial
We are in the process of planning a coordinated campaign of online and in-person events next year focused on challenging the false narratives being promoted around Trump’s America250 “celebration”. While details are still coming together, this effort will center history, pluralism, and secular values—and we’re excited to share more as plans are finalized.
We are in the process of planning a coordinated campaign of online and in-person events next year focused on challenging the false narratives being promoted around Trump’s America250 “celebration”. While details are still coming together, this effort will center history, pluralism, and secular values—and we’re excited to share more as plans are finalized.
Tuesday Trainings
We’ll also be bringing back—and refreshing—our training series on the topics you’ve told us matter most. Sessions will cover things like 501(c)(3) best practices, fundraising, communications, and advocacy resources, and they’ll also create space for you to share what’s working well in your own groups. If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered or something you’d be interested in presenting on, please let us know here.
We’ll also be bringing back—and refreshing—our training series on the topics you’ve told us matter most. Sessions will cover things like 501(c)(3) best practices, fundraising, communications, and advocacy resources, and they’ll also create space for you to share what’s working well in your own groups. If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered or something you’d be interested in presenting on, please let us know here.
Regional Conferences!
In 2024, American Atheists partnered with our Idaho State Director, Josiah Mannion (2025 Activist of the Year), to organize Unite Against Hate, a regional conference in Spokane, Washington. The event focused on the threats posed by White Christian nationalism and supremacy in northern Idaho and eastern Washington and brought together a diverse coalition of local activists. Building on that success, we’re planning at least two similar conferences next year—one focused on strengthening communities of care and mutual aid along the Gulf Coast, and another centered on state-level policy advocacy and organizing in the Midwest. We see these two events as train-the-trainer opportunities for our volunteers and affiliate leaders. Stay tuned for details!
In 2024, American Atheists partnered with our Idaho State Director, Josiah Mannion (2025 Activist of the Year), to organize Unite Against Hate, a regional conference in Spokane, Washington. The event focused on the threats posed by White Christian nationalism and supremacy in northern Idaho and eastern Washington and brought together a diverse coalition of local activists. Building on that success, we’re planning at least two similar conferences next year—one focused on strengthening communities of care and mutual aid along the Gulf Coast, and another centered on state-level policy advocacy and organizing in the Midwest. We see these two events as train-the-trainer opportunities for our volunteers and affiliate leaders. Stay tuned for details!
Partner Announcements
AHA is hiring!
AHA has two job postings — please spread the word through your networks and help us grow the movement!
Policy Manager – Center for Freethought Equality
Staff Attorney
AHA is hiring!
AHA has two job postings — please spread the word through your networks and help us grow the movement!
Policy Manager – Center for Freethought Equality
Staff Attorney
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
AU is now accepting youth activist nominations for the 2026 David Norr Youth Activist Award. This award recognizes a young leader (25 or under) or youth-led group that has gone above and beyond in defending church–state separation and the rights it protects — including LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, public education, and free speech. Nominations will be accepted through January 26, 2026. More details here.
AU is now accepting youth activist nominations for the 2026 David Norr Youth Activist Award. This award recognizes a young leader (25 or under) or youth-led group that has gone above and beyond in defending church–state separation and the rights it protects — including LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, public education, and free speech. Nominations will be accepted through January 26, 2026. More details here.
I hope that each of you has a chance to rest and recharge over the holiday season.
Onward to 2026!
Sam McGuire she/her
Director of Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy
American Atheists | www.atheists.org | smcguire@atheists.org | 908.279.0683
Director of Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy
American Atheists | www.atheists.org | smcguire@atheists.org | 908.279.0683
American Atheists is a 501(c)(3) national civil rights organization dedicated to achieving political equality and social inclusion for atheists and other nonreligious people through advocacy, education, and community building. Please support our work, and sign up for email updates.