Much of the money will be used to hire eight staffers for a “secular support group,” where students who do not believe in God or adhere to any religion could meet with like-minded students in a “safe” environment. A second planned program, a “faith questioning service,” would allow students questioning religion to meet one-on-one with peers for discussion.

An organization of student nonbelievers is likely to receive $69,000 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the largest grant from an institute of higher learning ever awarded to a nontheistic, student-led organization.

The grant’s size marks a milestone for UW’s Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics — AHA for short — placing it in an elite group of large, student-run organizations eligible for UW funds, and making it the most well-funded atheist student group in the nation.

“This is unquestionably the most money an SSA group has ever received,” said Jesse Galef, director of communications for Secular Student Alliance, an organization of 387 campus-based groups of nontheists, including AHA. “Over half our groups operate on $250 or less.”

The grant has passed two approval stages and is awaiting approval from the university’s student council, chancellor and regents. Rejection at this point is rare, said David Gardner, a spokesman for the university’s student government association.

The money comes from a pot of $39 million garnered from student fees — almost $1,400 per full-time student each year — and distributed to fewer than two dozen large campus organizations. Other groups are eligible for money from a different fund.

But the money has strings. It must be used to provide services and programs UW does not. And those programs and services must be available year-round to all students — not just ones who don’t believe in God.

Read More