S E C U L A R F U N D S . D R I V I N G E D U C A T I O N . U P L I F T I N G S O C I E T Y
Richard A. Busemeyer Atheist Foundation
We fund models where capability creates value
RABAF invests in education, workforce, and economic mobility models where skill development and value creation happen at the same time, producing durable social and economic impact across the Americas.
OUR THESIS
After three decades of work in civil rights, domestic violence prevention, and anti-bigotry, we reached two conclusions. Most forms of social harm trace back to a lack of education: practical skills, problem-solving capacity, and the ability to navigate institutions. And charity alone rarely solves these problems. The models that drive lasting change are self-sustaining and eventually scale without ongoing subsidy.
RABAF funds the intersection: business models where capability development and value creation happen simultaneously, not sequentially.
WHAT WE FUND
Skill development as core function
Capacity building is the engine of the model, not a side benefit or an attached traning layer.
Value created during participation
Participants, employers, or institutions receive measurable value while learning happens, not only after.
Structural path to sustainability
The model can sustain itself through earned revenue at maturity without grants filling permanent gaps.
HOW WE DEPLOY CAPITAL
Grants
For early-stage concepts where the model is still being validated and traditional capital isn’t yet appropriate.
Program-Related Investments (PRIs)
Recoverable capital, typically convertible notes or below-market loans, for mission-aligned organizations transitioning toward self-sustaining structures.
Mission-Related Investments (MRIs)
Market-rate or near-market rate investments in mission-aligned companies, delpoyed alongside aligned co-investors.
OUR WORK
We deploy grants to ecosystem builders, ed-tech evaluators, and entrepreneurship platforms across the Americas, and PRIs to organizations developing scalable workforce and economic mobility models.
A FOUNDATION BUILT ON QUESTIONING
Richard A. Busemeyer established this foundation in 1992. He intentionally included “Atheist” in the name to push back against the assumption that non-believers cannot be humanitarian. He believed in inquiry over inheritance. On his death in 2006, the foundation inherited his entire estate to continue that work.
Building something worth funding?
If you’re working on a model that builds capability and creates value at the same time, we want to hear from you.