What FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY does

The Freethought Society is a Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by Margaret Downey, who continues to serve as President. Its stated mission is to support nontheists, freethinkers, humanists, secularists, and other non-religious communities through educational programs, publications, and advocacy for separation of church and state. Core programmatic offerings include a bimonthly digital magazine (the FS Ezine) distributed to over 7,000 recipients, an annual Tree of Knowledge winter holiday celebration co-hosted with the Philadelphia Ethical Society, Thomas Paine Day commemorations, Secular Day of the Dead events, an annual $1,000 student scholarship, and advocacy programming including a Leadership Summit and Lobby Day in Washington D.C.

The organization operates without proprietary technology, running on a WordPress website (ftsociety.org), email newsletter distribution, Zoom for virtual events, and standard social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, X, Bluesky, and Meetup). It maintains a roster of volunteer committees including Freethinkers Supporting Safe Streets (FS3), Helping Hands, and Mentor Connection. Revenue is generated entirely through tax-deductible donations (EIN: 23-2738574), with a suggested $5 monthly recurring donation, supplemented by occasional event ticket sales and a small merchandise/affiliate arrangement with GivingBean. Headcount is reported in the 1–10 range, consistent with a volunteer-driven, founder-led nonprofit.

The Freethought Society is embedded in a broader coalition of national secular organizations, including partnerships with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, American Humanist Association, American Atheists, Center for Inquiry, Secular Coalition for America, and the Thomas Paine Memorial Association. Its headquarters is in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and activities are concentrated in southeastern Pennsylvania with national reach via virtual programming and Ezine distribution.

Name

FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY

Legal name

The Freethought Society

Website

https://ftsociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Freethought Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that supports nontheists and freethinkers through a bimonthly Ezine, annual community events, educational programming, scholarships, and church-state separation advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Rights, Privacy & Free Expression Advocacy (BPAGAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Secular advocacy
• Freethought community
• Church-state separation
• Nonprofit education
• Community publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Pocopson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The Freethought Society relies primarily on tax-deductible donations from supporters. The organization encourages monthly recurring donations of $5 and accepts one-time donations to general fund or specific projects. EIN: 23-2738574.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Freethought Society operates as a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization that delivers community programs, publications, and events for nontheists and freethinkers. Its core offerings are the bimonthly Freethought Society Ezine digital magazine, recurring signature events (Tree of Knowledge, Thomas Paine Day, Secular Day of the Dead, Leadership Summit and Lobby Day), a Speakers' Bureau, Journey Stories publication, and an annual $1,000 Student Scholarship, supported by donations and volunteer committees.

Product overview

The Freethought Society is a non-profit organization offering community programs and publications for the secular community. Its core offerings include the bimonthly Freethought Society Ezine (digital magazine with 7,000+ recipients), the annual Tree of Knowledge winter holiday celebration event, Thomas Paine Day birthday celebrations, a Speakers' Bureau, Journey Stories publication program, annual Student Scholarship, Secular Day of the Dead events, Leadership Summit and Lobby Day advocacy programs, and various committees including Freethinkers Supporting Safe Streets (FS3), Helping Hands, and Mentor Connection. The organization also hosts events throughout the year including DragonCon activities, science lectures, and cultural celebrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Freethought Society Ezine Bimonthly digital magazine and newsletter covering freethought topics, secular activism, Thomas Paine celebrations, scholarship opportunities, member stories, and community events; distributed to over 7,000 recipients.
• Tree of Knowledge Event Annual winter holiday celebration featuring a decorated tree adorned with book-cover ornaments representing freethought literature; co-hosted with the Philadelphia Ethical Society and offered as a secular alternative to religious holiday displays.
• Thomas Paine Day Celebration Annual online commemorative program celebrating Thomas Paine's birthdate with historical presentations, dramatic readings, and collaboration with the Thomas Paine Memorial Association; supports Thomas Paine memorial advocacy in Washington, D.C.
• Speakers' Bureau Roster of knowledgeable speakers available to present on freethought, secularism, separation of church and state, and related topics at libraries, ethical society venues, and partner events.
• Journey Stories Publication program collecting and sharing personal narratives from nontheists about their journey to freethought, providing emotional connection and community building.
• Student Scholarship Program Annual $1,000 scholarship awarded to students who submit winning essays on freethought or secular topics; recent recipients include Saoirse (2025) and Lilac Burke (2023).
• Secular Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos Secular Annual celebration of life for nontheist Hispanic/Latin communities combining redesigned religion-free Hispanic/Latin traditions with secular values; co-sponsored with Hispanic American Freethinkers, Atheists United, Freedom From Religion Foundation, American Atheists, Secular Student Alliance, and Black Nonbelievers.
• Leadership Summit and Lobby Day Annual events bringing together secular activists for leadership training and legislative advocacy in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the Secular Coalition for America.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Thomas Paine Memorial AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in Thomas Paine birthday celebrations and memorial efforts. Margaret Downey serves as TPMA President. Organizations jointly work on securing Thomas Paine memorial in Washington D.C.
• Philadelphia Ethical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing co-host of Tree of Knowledge winter holiday celebrations and other freethought events. Hugh Taft-Morales serves as Ethical Society Leader and collaborates on multiple programs.
• Freedom From Religion FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Secular Day of the Dead events and other advocacy initiatives. Organizations collaborate on advocacy and educational programming.
• American Humanist AssociationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on events and advocacy; Maggie Ardiente from AHA has spoken at FS events; organizations co-sponsor programs.
• American AtheistsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Secular Day of the Dead and other advocacy initiatives.
• Center for InquirymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership including co-hosting events with Robert G. Ingersoll birthday celebrations. Organizations share speakers and programming.
• Secular Coalition for AmericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Lobby Day collaboration; organizations work together on advocacy and legislative initiatives.
• Black NonbelieversminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Thomas Paine birthday celebration and other events.
• Thomas Paine SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Thomas Paine memorial and educational efforts.
• Military Association of Atheists and FreethinkersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Thomas Paine celebration and advocacy events.
• Secular Student AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Secular Day of the Dead and student-focused programming.
• Hispanic American FreethinkersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Secular Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos Secular events.
• Atheists UnitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Secular Day of the Dead events.
• Ludington LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for FS speaker events and presentations in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Atheists: National civil rights organization for atheists that advocates for the separation of religion from government. Direct peer because FS co-sponsors Secular Day of the Dead and other advocacy initiatives with American Atheists.
• American Humanist Association: National advocacy and education organization for humanists, nontheists, and secularists. Direct peer because FS explicitly co-hosts events, shares speakers, and collaborates on advocacy around church-state separation, which is AHA's core mission.
• Center for Inquiry: Nonprofit promoting reason, science, and secular values through advocacy and education. Direct peer because FS has a long-standing partnership including co-hosting Robert G. Ingersoll birthday celebrations and shared programming.
• Freedom From Religion Foundation: Large national nonprofit focused on maintaining the separation of church and state and protecting the constitutional rights of nontheists. Direct peer because FS co-sponsors events such as Secular Day of the Dead and shares advocacy programming with FFRF.
• Philadelphia Ethical Society: Ethical culture congregation and humanist community platform. Direct peer because FS has a long-standing co-hosting relationship with the Ethical Society on the Tree of Knowledge winter holiday and other freethought events.
• Secular Coalition for America: Advocacy umbrella representing nontheistic organizations on federal policy issues. Direct peer because FS partners annually on Lobby Day and shares secular legislative advocacy priorities.
• Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers: Nonprofit supporting nontheist service members and veterans. Direct peer because FS co-sponsors Thomas Paine celebration and advocacy events with MAAF as part of the secular coalition network.
• Black Nonbelievers: Nonprofit providing community and support for Black atheists, agnostics, and humanists. Direct peer because FS co-sponsors Thomas Paine birthday and Secular Day of the Dead events with Black Nonbelievers.
• Secular Student Alliance: Student-focused nonprofit supporting secular student groups on campuses. Direct peer because FS co-sponsors Secular Day of the Dead and student-oriented programming and operates a student scholarship.
• Atheists United: Los Angeles-based secular community and advocacy organization. Direct peer because FS co-sponsors Secular Day of the Dead events and shares community-building programming for nontheists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FreethoughtScty
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8PXwTm8UpzkxAezBWUoFew
• Facebookfacebook.com/thefreethoughtsociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freethought-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FREETHOUGHT SOCIETY