International Humanist Group Receives Major Gift

Most people plan in advance what will happen to their life-savings after they die — pass it on to the family, spend it before they die, donate it, etc.

If they take the latter option, the group receiving is is usually the deceased’s favorite charity or a church. You rarely read about anyone giving all their money to an atheistic organization.

That has happened now. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has received a gift of $2,500,000, courtesy of the late Victor Kay, a Humanist from California.

The bequest, to be known as the “Victor Kay Humanitarian Fund”, is a trust fund to be treated as the IHEU’s other endowment funds. Income from the Fund will be available to support IHEU in all of its mission and general operations, starting in 2010.

“Ultimately, endowments are more enduring than even bricks and mortar,” said [IHEU president Sonja] Eggerickx. “This is an exciting gift for the IHEU, which touches the lives of all of our members. Gifts from Mr. Kay and other generous donors help us to pilot programmes, provide more activities and take advantage of important opportunities that otherwise couldn’t be realized. We hope others will be inspired to contribute to the IHEU’s continuing efforts to build a more humane and rational world.”

I’m thrilled. I just hope IHEU can do some real good with this money. Anything that helps combat superstitious beliefs around the world and brings about a more rational society would be wonderful — a lasting legacy for Mr. Kay.

(Thanks to August for the link!)