For over 70 years, the Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) has been fulfilling our mission to promote understanding of cultural diversity and commonality in the past and present. To accomplish this mission, HRAF produces scholarly resources and infrastructure for research, teaching and learning, and supports and conducts original research on cross-cultural variation. HRAF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Your donations to support our efforts are tax-deductible.
As a global organization, HRAF strives to makes a difference in the world. This critical work is made possible by our membership base, and also by the contributions of individuals and institutions who believe in our mission. Your gift will help HRAF continue to provide a service to the public by developing open access resources, which include:
Explaining Human Culture – Our database that summarizes the results of over 1,000 cross-cultural studies and explores cross-cultural questions about human universals and differences on a wide variety of subjects.
Teaching eHRAF – Our innovative, interdisciplinary resource that provides faculty with ideas for using our online databases eHRAF World Cultures and eHRAF Archaeology in their curricula, including teaching exercises and in-class activities.
Introducing Cross-Cultural Research – Our online course that introduces the world of ethnography-based comparative and cross-cultural research. The course outlines the logic of cross-cultural research and various aspects of the research process from start to finish.
Your contribution also supports HRAF funding priorities such as the HRAF Global Scholarship program, our philanthropic outreach effort with the goal of expanding access to our databases eHRAF World Cultures and eHRAF Archaeology for scholars around the world. Scholarships are available to institutions and individuals in low-income or middle-income countries. Additionally, support from donors enables us to keep our membership dues affordable, which is a feature of our new HRAF Community College Initiative.
Our post on expressions of gratitude highlights the importance of kindness and charity:
During the end-of-year “holiday season” throughout much of the Western world, we are often reminded to be grateful for the things that we have, and even to go out of our way to be gracious and thankful to those around us.
As the season of giving approaches, we hope that you will consider HRAF something to be grateful for, and that you will visit our donation page.