The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) was established in 1996 by magician and skeptic James Randi to promote critical thinking and scientific skepticism. The foundation aimed to educate the public about the importance of evidence-based reasoning and to challenge pseudoscience and paranormal claims. JREF is known for its One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge, which offered a cash prize to anyone who could demonstrate a supernatural ability under controlled conditions. The foundation also provided resources, lectures, and workshops to encourage inquiry and skepticism in various fields, including psychic phenomena and alternative medicine.