Learn about the fight for empathy on May 2, 2026
American Empathy Project
On Saturday, May 2, the American Humanist Association sponsored service projects across the country, because empathy is stronger than cruelty.
We awarded $100,000 in grants to changemakers who organized events, drives and awareness campaigns to put empathy into action.
Find out more about the AHA’s work by signing up for our email list here.
The American Humanist Association awarded $100,000 in grants to changemakers across the country to mobilize their communities with service projects as part of the American Empathy Project (AEP) on Saturday, May 2, 2026. This national day of action showed that empathy is stronger than cruelty and created a ripple effect of compassion and community care.
Our impact:
$100,000 distributed in grants
101 grantees funded out of 648 grant applications
20,000+ people positively impacted
3,400+ attendees at AEP events
1,800+ organizers and volunteers mobilized
Projects in 37 states, DC, and Puerto Rico
18 first-time organizers
Over 70% of grantees are more likely to organize a future service project after AEP
*Numbers are based on grantee reporting and do not include independent AEP projects that took place without grants.“This project helped volunteers better understand humanism through action. Volunteers were able to see that humanism is not just a concept, but something that can be practiced through compassion, service, and care for others.”
— AEP grantee, Florida
While the American Empathy Project has concluded, we encourage humanists across the country to continue to put empathy into action. Check out our project guides for inspiration for individuals as well as group service ideas.
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The American Empathy Project 2026 was an undertaking by the American Humanist Association. We hosted a nationwide counter-offensive of defiant empathy through service by putting $100,000 directly into the hands of humanists and our allies to take a stand for our neighbors and for goodness. Beyond the grant program, we encouraged humanists across the country to put empathy into action on May 2, whether by joining a volunteer opportunity, hosting their own local project, or doing individual acts of empathy.
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We’re living through a crisis of cruelty, with an administration that threatens our neighbors’ safety, leaves kids hungry, diminishes our collective humanity, and seeks to divide us with fear and hate.
But we won’t let them win! There’s hope in each other and in ourselves. We can make the difference if we stand up and fight together for a more compassionate world.
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Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that states we all have the capacity for good, because caring for each other is in our DNA. Humanists value empathy, fairness, and critical thinking, and we demand the same of our institutions. We humanists embrace our responsibility to do right in our one life – not because we expect to be rewarded or “saved,” but because we have the power to create a better world and future through our actions.
Learn more about the AHA on our website and check out our Humanism 101 video series.
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Sign up for AHA emails to stay in the loop about future opportunities. Get involved with AHA, such as by finding your local humanist group. You can also donate. For additional help, contact grassroots@americanhumanist.org.
A single act of service to your community sends a seismic ripple through a cynical world. Remember: The world can feel broken, but people are still good.
Join us. A compassionate future doesn’t build itself.