TheSecular Student Alliance (SSA) is an American educationalnonprofit organization whose purpose is to educate high school and college students about the value ofscientific reason and the intellectual basis ofsecularism in itsatheistic andhumanistic manifestations. The SSA also offers these students and their organizations a variety of resources, including leadership training and support, guest speakers, discounted literature and conference tickets, and online articles and opinions.[citation needed] Starting in 2024, Secular Student Alliance partnered withThe Satanic Temple, another organization promoting secular values among students, in supportingAfter School Satan clubs in public schools which also host religious student clubs.[2]
In 1999, the students on the Executive Council of theCampus Freethought Alliance, along with some other students, faculty advisers, and off-campus supporters, decided that a national student organization needed autonomy (the Campus Freethought Alliance was governed by theCouncil for Secular Humanism).[3] Therefore, in April 2000, a majority of the members of the Campus Freethought Alliance Executive Council decided to become independent from the Council for Secular Humanism.[3] The Secular Student Alliance was thus founded in May 2000 by eight student leaders from the grassroots secular movement.[3] It was organized under the nonprofit corporation laws[4] ofOhio on November 21, 2001.[5] The corporation's principal office is located inColumbus, Ohio.[6]
The SSA is an independent, democratically structured organization in theU.S. that promotesfreethinking high school and college students. The SSA was formed "to organize, unite, educate and serve students and student communities that promote the ideals of scientific and critical inquiry, democracy,secularism, and human based ethics".[7]
In January 2012, the SSA had over 312 affiliates in North America and abroad, including groups in Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia.[citation needed][8] In June 2013, the SSA announced that with theFreedom from Religion Foundation, it will work on educating students on their rights and will assist with rectifying violations.[9][10] The SSA is a founding member of theSecular Coalition for America.[citation needed]
In October 2015, SSA tweeted that it "desperately" needed $100,000 by the end of the month. Executive director August Brunsman said fundraising had lagged.[11] In October 2017, shortly after the hiring of new Executive Director Kevin Bolling, the organization relocated from Columbus, Ohio, toLos Angeles.[12]
The SSA experienced increasing membership growth from its founding in 2000 until 2012.[13] Since then, it has steadily contracted to 237 groups in 2025. As of May 2018, the SSA's Board of Directors has twelve members.[citation needed] The number of SSA community college and university campus affiliates has expanded considerably in recent years:[14][15]
On August 7, 2009, the SSA organized a trip to theCreation Museum inPetersburg, Kentucky. 304 students, atheists, and scientists attended, in order to familiarize themselves with the museum.[7] One notable name in attendance was biologist and science bloggerPZ Myers, who also came to experience the museum.[21]
Since 2009, the SSA has held their Annual Leadership Conference over the Summer which aims to train student leaders and group members in leadership skills and grassroots organizing.[22] In 2013, the conference was split into two locations (East and West).
^Eberhard, JT (May 30, 2016)."Secular Student Alliance running a 'desperate' fundraiser".WWJTD. RetrievedMay 31, 2016.'To come close to keeping pace with all of the secular students who benefit from our programs, we need to raise $100,000 by October 31st.'
Abbamonte, Angela (September 18, 2009)."Atheists groups double in size on college campuses".The Huntsville Times. Archived fromthe original on September 25, 2009. RetrievedOctober 6, 2009.The number of atheist or agnostic student groups on U.S. campuses has more than doubled in the past two years – from 80 to 162 – according to the Secular Student Alliance (SSA), the national organization for the secular student movement.
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