The Appignani Foundation

The Appignani Foundation was set up in 2001 by Louis Appignani with an endowment of US$2,500,000 which is expected to grow annually. Since 2001 the foundation contributed to IHEU, Florida Humanist Association, the Secular Student Alliance, the Mark Twain Scholarship administered by the Atheists of Florida, American Civil Liberties Union, Freedom from Religion Foundation, Center for Inquiry and Free Thought Society of Philadelphia. Among others, the public radio, TV and the Philosophy Department of the University of Miami are also the foundation’s beneficiary.

The foundation is supporting secular activities that will address significant, viable and long term human goals on our planet. The goals can be accomplished by encouraging creative free thought that spreads humanistic values and through a commitment to the belief that scientific research is the most reliable path to truth.

Louis Appignani in the Sun-Sentinel, South Florida, April 14, 2004

"Towards a new age of reason"

A self-described "very devout" atheist, Appignani isn’t into fire and brimstone, superstition or sacraments, vengeful gods, a punishing universe or life after death – just ethics, integrity, rational thinking and unbridled scientific inquiry, funding projects that promote them. Subdued, self-assured, nonproselytizing, non-adversarial, Appignani scoffs at religious dogma, especially the promise of a hereafter: "It’s very selfish view to think of an afterlife; we don’t deserve it; it doesn’t exist; it’s just folly."

Humanism, science and futurism are Appignani’s holy trinity: "They each seek the objective truth in all fields, including religion, ethics, social analysis, long-range planning and research. They should work together on the key issues that will confront our planet over the next 50 years, issues that will certainly determine either our destruction as a species, or our survival in a glorious world of unimaginable greatness and prosperity."

"I’m only interested in doing a niche that hasn’t been filled," Appignani said. "Philanthropy will be my last career." He expects to give away one million next year and at least that much every year thereafter.

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