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- The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) is a free source of online information related to American and international religion. Founded as the American Religion Data Archive in 1997, and online since 1998, the archive was initially targeted at researchers interested in American religion. One of the primary goals of the archive is to democratize access to quality information on religion by making this information as widely accessible as possible. The targeted audience and the data collection have both greatly expanded since 1998. Over 450 surveys, membership reports, and other data collections are currently available for online preview, and most can be downloaded free of charge. In February 2006, the American Religion Data Archive became the Association of Religion Data Archives when an international data archive was added. The archive now includes both American and international collections as well as features for educators, journalists, religious congregations, and researchers. Features include national profiles, GIS maps, church membership overviews, denominational heritage trees, tables, charts, and other summary reports. The archive, visited by tens of thousands of people each month, is a rich source of information related to religion in the United States. Data included in the ARDA are submitted by the foremost religion scholars and research centers in the world. Currently housed in the Social Science Research Institute at the Pennsylvania State University, the ARDA is funded by the Lilly Endowment, the John Templeton Foundation, the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University, and the Pennsylvania State University.
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