Cafe Humanism

This post is based off an idea I had recently and want to see realized in the future.

Atheism and humanism are among the fastest growing worldviews in Canada. People of no religious affiliation make up over 40% of the Vancouver population. Yet despite this growth, few established communities exist for the non-religious.

In Ontario, the Centre for Inquiry has leased space in a building near the University of Toronto which allows them to host meetings, lectures and to maintain a freethought library. Outside of Toronto, no organization for skeptics, atheists or humanists has a physical location.

The major barrier preventing most groups from establishing a physical presence is funding. Rental rates vary, but for a Vancouver location would require between $2000 and $5000 per month for a modest 2,000 square foot space.

However, many non-profits and charities have discovered a creative method to raise their operational income, known as social enterprise. The basic premise is for a business to be founded with the purpose of directing the profits entirely toward the charity. In some cases the charity owns and operates the business while in other cases the business is a separate entity which donates the profits.

So with this in mind, my proposal is to establish a coffee shop for humanism. The shop would operate as a normal coffee shop through most business hours, with the profits from those sales being directed toward local humanist organizations like the BC Humanist Association and CFI Vancouver. Meanwhile, the shop would also be able to close down for events for local groups, ideally seating between 30 and 50 people. This shop could house a local freethought library and would help to educate the greater community about humanist philosophies.

To make this happen will require significant start-up capital. Humanists have shown their generosity in the past, with large and small donations to finance the atheist bus and billboard ads, as well as in response to the Haitian earthquake. Further, atheists are the leading group of lenders on the Kiva micro-loan website. By combining a fundraising drive with government and community grants, the need for an over-burdening start-up loan can be reduced. Nevertheless, funding on the order of $300,000 will have to be secured to make this project a success.

So what am I looking for from you?

I’m looking for organizations and people who want to help make this a reality. I’m hoping that one of Canada’s freethought registered charities will endorse this project and through them we will be able to issue tax receipts for donations. In terms of people, any expertise in drafting a formal business plan and managing a similar business would be greatly appreciated.

If you wish to help out, email me at thzatheist@gmail.com or leave a comment here. Watch this blog for updates on my progress.