About CFI On Campus

Our Mission

The Center for Inquiry is dedicated to promoting and defending reason, science and freedom of inquiry in education, and to the enhancement of freethought, skepticism, secularism, humanism, philosophical naturalism, rationalism, and atheism on college and high school campuses throughout North America and around the world. CFI consolidates international resources toward this end.

Our History

In 1996, the Council for Secular Humanism, North America’s leading organization for ethical, non-religious people, brought seven college students to its headquarters at the Center for Inquiry Transnational in Amherst, New York. These seven students wanted to establish a network of non-believers and critical rationalists on university and college campuses around the world. They were concerned by the rising tide of religious-political extremism and anti-scientific outlooks among members of their generation, as well as the lack of a strong and supportive community for young freethinkers. Some came from families or communities that were openly hostile towards religious unbelievers.

The students agreed that there were dangers inherent in the present religious assaults on academic freedom, civil liberties and scientific literacy in the United States. They outlined their concerns in a Declaration of Necessity, which they then distributed via the Internet. The results were astounding. Within a year, seven students' dream had become a successful reality: forty campus groups were soon established or affiliated with what was then known as the Campus Freethought Alliance. The founding students set a goal of adding one hundred new student groups to CFA during their second year.

Since then, the movement has continued to grow, and has received strong support from the Council for Secular Humanism, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and other organizations affiliated with the Center for Inquiry. In 2004, CFA changed its name to the Center for Inquiry - On Campus to better reflect its commitment to the ideals put forth by the Center for Inquiry. CFI's campus outreach initiative now has two full-time coordinators at its international headquarters at the Center for Inquiry. In addition, there are many student volunteers involved in various the Center for Inquiry programs, campaigns and development activities.

Our Sponsor

The Center for Inquiry is the home of Skeptical Inquirer, Free Inquiry, and Philo among numerous other publications. It is an anchor point of scores of local and regional skeptic and humanist groups across the United States and throughout the world. From CFI, scientists, philosophers, media professionals and members of the public obtain objective information about fringe science, paranormal, supernatural and religious claims.

With Centers in Hollywood, New York City, Toronto, Indiana, Michigan, Washington D.C., and Tampa, and in France, Germany, Russia, Peru, and otehr international cities, the Center for Inquiry is headquartered in fast-growing Amherst, New York, adjacent to the State University of New York at Buffalo. The Center for Inquiry is a resource for the local and academic communities and a hub for critical rationalism worldwide.

How you can help

Since 1996, the Center for Inquiry's campus program (formerly CFA) has promoted and worked to enhance freethought, skepticism, secularism, humanism, philosophical naturalism, rationalism, and atheism on campuses across North America and around the world.

The Center For Inquiry is a non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gifts to the Center for Inquiry are tax-deductible under federal income tax law. Click here if you're interested in making a donation.