Friends and Colleagues, I need your help!

I’m reaching out to ask for your support in helping a student attend this year’s Secular Student Alliance Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. For many students, the cost of attending this event is simply out of reach. This conference is so much more than just a gathering; it’s an opportunity for secular students to come together, share their experiences, and build a community in an environment where they might otherwise feel marginalized.

The SSA Conference is the only event of its kind for secular and nonreligious students in the entire country. It’s a unique blend of powerful speakers, grassroots organizing, and leadership development—all from a secular perspective. This event is a critical space for students to grow, develop their leadership skills, and feel empowered to advocate for their beliefs in a world where nonreligious voices are often sidelined.

For many of these students, their families may not support them because of their nonreligious beliefs. I know firsthand how isolating that can feel. Growing up in a deeply religious household, I was taught to believe in God without question. For years, I didn’t even consider the possibility that God might not be real. It wasn’t until I started questioning my faith in my late teens that I realized I no longer believed the way I had been taught. That was a very lonely, difficult realization. I didn’t have a community to turn to, and I felt disconnected from the people I had grown up with. The Secular Student Alliance Conference is a place where students can connect with others who understand them, share their experiences, and feel supported in their activism for a secular world.

This conference is more than just an event—it’s a lifeline for students who may feel alone in their beliefs. Your donation, no matter how small, can provide a student with the opportunity to attend and be a part of something that will not only validate their beliefs but empower them to grow as leaders and advocates. Please consider donating today. Every contribution counts and could make all the difference for a student in need of this transformative experience.

Thank you for your support in helping create a brighter, more inclusive future for secular youth.

The SSA Leadership Conference is more than an event, it’s a launchpad for the next generation of leaders. Students come together from across the country to build skills in organizing, advocacy, and community-building, all while connecting with peers who understand their experiences. Student leaders gain confidence, develop leadership skills, and return to their campuses ready to create inclusive communities and drive meaningful change.

Not every student has the financial support to attend. Some face barriers at home, others simply can’t afford the cost of travel. Your donation removes those barriers. It gives students access to training, mentorship, and a national network that empowers them to lead.

When you give, you’re not just funding a conference. You’re investing in students who will advocate for reason, compassion, and the separation of religion and government for years to come.