$50k for the 50th

A campaign to sustain philosophy through excellent teaching

The American Association of Philosophy Teachers is dedicated to the advancement of the art of teaching philosophy. For 50 years, we have been the leading teaching-focused professional organization and community supporting the development of innovative philosophical pedagogy.

AAPT 50th anniversary logo

At the AAPT, we: 

  • Run the premier gathering of philosophy teachers, our Biennial Workshop-Conference.
  • Empower graduate students and junior philosophers with training at workshops and seminars, including our prestigious Teaching and Learning Seminar held concurrently with our Biennial.
  • Publish AAPT Studies in Pedagogy.
  • Reward excellence in philosophy teaching, with the Lenssen Prize for essays on philosophical pedagogy and, with the APA and Teaching Philosophy Association, the David W. Concepción Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching.
  • Expand our reach with Teaching Hubs at other conferences, including three times annually at the APA divisional meetings.
  • Sustain philosophy teachers with our bimonthly online Talking/Teaching series.
  • Affirm inclusivity, collegiality, and student-centered learning in everything we do.

We do all of this and more with a tiny budget drawn almost exclusively from membership and registration fees. 

We need your help now. 

In celebration of our 50th year, and looking ahead to the good we can do in the next half-century, we are launching our first ever capital campaign with the aim of raising $50,000 by Summer 2027.

Effective philosophy teaching is needed now more than ever. Civic engagement has been degraded. Philosophy departments are closing. Syllabi are being censored. The American Association of Philosophy Teachers is working on the front lines to preserve constructive dialogue and sustain deliberative democracy.

We believe that excellent philosophy teaching can save our discipline. Please help us help philosophy teachers and, thereby, help students learn to love wisdom by donating what you can.

We are seeking $50k for our endowment by July 1, 2027. Please give what you can.

If you would like your donation to support the Decyk Grants that subsidize underemployed philosophers’ attendance at the Teaching and Learning Seminars, please contact Emily Esch, eesch@csbsju.edu, or Russell Marcus, rmarcus1@hamilton.edu

Other newly raised funds will help us to: 

  • Control our Biennial registration costs
  • Provide minimal wages for a copy editor and assistant for AAPT Studies
  • Support participants and facilitators at our Teaching and Learning Seminars and Workshops
  • Fund new initiatives, like an advanced seminar for experienced philosophy teachers

Donor Recognition

Donors at the following levels may, if they so choose, be recognized for their support.

$5,000+: The Magnificent

Betsy Decyk

$1,000: Patrons of the Academy

Mara Harrell
Emily Esch and Gavin Henry
Russell and Emily Marcus
Renée Smith

$250: Diotima’s Donors

Rebeka Ferreira
Jennifer Uleman

$100: Giving Gadflies

Karl Aho
Bill Anelli
Cory Davia
Amy MacArthur
Courtney Morris
Jonathan Spelman
Alexander Stehn
Erica Stonestreet
University of Cincinnati Philosophy for Cincinnati Program

$50 for the 50th

David Gray
Merritt Rehn-Debraal
Rebecca Scott