Acton Institute

The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is an American research, educational, and media institution based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with an international office in Rome. Founded in 1990 by Catholic priest Robert A. Sirico and Kris Alan Mauren, the institute works at the intersection of economics, religion, ethics, and public policy. Its stated objective is to encourage a free and virtuous society in which individual liberty is supported by religious and moral principles. Acton is associated with conservative and libertarian policy circles and advocates market-oriented economic arrangements framed by Judeo-Christian views of human dignity, responsibility, vocation, and the common good. Its intellectual position argues that economic freedom and religious freedom are mutually reinforcing, while also maintaining that markets depend on moral conduct and institutional trust. The organization takes its name from Lord Acton, the English historian and politician commonly associated with the observation that concentrated power tends toward corruption. The institute was established in response to what its founders saw as a divide between religious communities that lacked economic literacy and economists or business leaders who were insufficiently attentive to religious and ethical considerations. Its educational programming includes seminars and conferences for clergy and other religious leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, university faculty, researchers, and students. Through these programs, Acton presents economic concepts alongside theological and ethical analysis rather than treating markets as a purely technical or material system. Acton's work includes policy research, books, monographs, periodicals, translations, public lectures, online media, and documentary films. The Journal of Markets & Morality is a peer-reviewed periodical examining economic questions from theological, philosophical, historical, and social-scientific perspectives. Other publications include Religion & Liberty, policy-oriented monographs, and materials intended for Christian educators and institutions. Since 2009, the institute has administered the Christian's Library Press imprint. The institute's international activity expanded with the opening of its Rome office, Istituto Acton, in 2002. It also participates in networks and affiliations connected with free-market and policy-research organizations, including the Atlas Network and State Policy Network, and has maintained relationships with partner organizations in countries such as Brazil, Austria, Zambia, and Argentina. Acton has also used film and multimedia as instruments of public education. The Call of the Entrepreneur, released in 2007, presented entrepreneurship through stories involving a Michigan farmer, a merchant banker, and Hong Kong entrepreneur Jimmy Lai. Poverty, Inc., released in 2014, criticized aid-centered approaches to poverty reduction and promoted enterprise, local agency, and partnership; it received an Atlas Network Templeton Freedom Award. The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom, released in 2022 with Iron Light Labs, portrayed Lai as a defender of liberty and civil rights. The institute has attracted criticism over its political orientation, its relationships with conservative foundations and donors, and its positions on climate policy. Critics have described its climate-related advocacy as minimizing or rejecting mainstream climate conclusions, while the organization presents its work as a defense of economic liberty, human flourishing, and responsible stewardship. It remains an active nonprofit think tank and educational institution rather than a conventional consumer-facing product brand.

The Acton Institute was founded in 1990 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Robert A. Sirico and Kris Alan Mauren. The founders believed that religious communities often lacked a working understanding of economics, while economists and business leaders frequently treated moral and theological questions as secondary. Acton was created to bridge those constituencies by teaching economic liberty within a religious account of human responsibility and dignity. The institute was named after Lord Acton, the English historian and politician whose writing emphasized the dangers of concentrated power. Acton's founders interpreted his work as supporting a relationship between freedom and moral accountability. In the institute's formulation, economic liberty can help protect religious liberty, but markets require people and institutions capable of ethical conduct. This combination became the basis of Acton's educational and policy work. The publication of Pope John Paul II's 1991 encyclical Centesimus Annus was important to the young organization. Acton leaders regarded the document's treatment of private property, economic initiative, civil society, and human dignity as broadly consistent with their emerging framework. The encyclical helped the institute articulate a form of economic personalism that defended markets while rejecting the idea that economic activity should be separated from moral concerns. During the 1990s and 2000s, Acton developed programs for religious leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, academics, and researchers. Its seminars sought to explain economic principles through Christian ethics and to encourage participants to consider vocation, stewardship, charity, and institutional limits alongside market mechanisms. The organization also established relationships with free-market policy networks, including the Atlas Network and State Policy Network. In 2000, Acton was involved in establishing the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation. The alliance's positions on climate change and environmental policy subsequently became a source of controversy. Critics identified the relationship as evidence that Acton supported climate skepticism or denial, while Acton and allied writers framed their approach around economic freedom, skepticism toward centralized regulation, and a religious conception of stewardship. Acton expanded beyond the United States in 2002 by opening a Rome office known as Istituto Acton. It also built relationships with international organizations, including partners in Brazil, Austria, Zambia, and Argentina. These affiliations allowed the institute to present its ideas in settings where debates over religious freedom, development, civil society, entrepreneurship, and economic policy took different institutional forms. The institute's publishing program has included books, research papers, monographs, periodicals, translations, and online commentary. Its Journal of Markets & Morality examines the relationship between economics and morality from theological, philosophical, and social-scientific perspectives. Religion & Liberty provides essays, interviews, reviews, and historical discussions concerning freedom and moral life. Acton has also administered Christian's Library Press since 2009. Translation and intellectual-history projects became another part of the institute's work. In 2011, Acton collaborated with Kuyper College on an English translation of Abraham Kuyper's Common Grace, a major work addressing the relationship between Christianity, public life, culture, and modern ideologies. The first translated volume, Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science and Art, was unveiled in November 2011. Acton has used film to communicate its ideas to audiences beyond academic and policy circles. The Call of the Entrepreneur premiered in Grand Rapids in 2007 and presented entrepreneurship through the experiences of a Michigan dairy farmer, a merchant banker, and Jimmy Lai. Poverty, Inc., released in 2014, challenged conventional aid practices and promoted enterprise-based approaches to development. The film became part of the institute's PovertyCure initiative and won a 2014 Templeton Freedom Award from the Atlas Network. In 2022, Acton and Iron Light Labs released The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom. The documentary presented Lai's business career and political activism as an example of resistance to authoritarianism and defense of civil liberties. Its release occurred amid international debate over Hong Kong's national-security framework and Lai's prosecution. Acton's funding and policy positions have periodically drawn criticism. Reporting has identified support from foundations such as the Earhart Foundation and Bradley Foundation, as well as donations from wealthy western Michigan residents. A 2005 report also listed an ExxonMobil donation to the institute. These financial relationships have been discussed in connection with Acton's climate-policy advocacy. Despite this controversy, the organization continues to operate as a nonprofit research and educational institution focused on the relationship between religion, markets, liberty, entrepreneurship, and public policy.

1. 2022The Hong Konger released

   Acton and Iron Light Labs released a documentary about Jimmy Lai's business career and political struggle in Hong Kong.

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2. 2014Poverty, Inc. released

   The documentary promoted enterprise-centered approaches to poverty reduction and received an Atlas Network Templeton Freedom Award.

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3. 2011Kuyper translation project launched

   Acton and Kuyper College began translating Abraham Kuyper's Common Grace into English.

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4. 2009Christian's Library Press administration began

   Acton began administering the Christian's Library Press publishing imprint.

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5. 2007The Call of the Entrepreneur premiered

   Acton's first prominently documented documentary film premiered in Grand Rapids.

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6. 2002Rome office opened

   Istituto Acton opened in Rome to support the institute's international activities.

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7. 2000Cornwall Alliance established

   Acton participated in founding the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation.

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8. 1991Centesimus Annus published

   The papal encyclical gave Acton intellectual support for its approach to economic freedom, human dignity, and moral responsibility.

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9. 1990Acton Institute founded

   Robert A. Sirico and Kris Alan Mauren established the institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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A religiously informed, free-market research and education institution that connects economic liberty, entrepreneurship, moral responsibility, and human dignity.

• Journal of Markets & MoralityPeer-reviewed journal

  A semiannual scholarly journal examining economic life through theological, philosophical, historical, and social-scientific perspectives. Its subject matter includes markets, ethics, political economy, human dignity, and the relationship between economic institutions and moral culture.

• Religion & LibertyPeriodical

  A publication focused on the interaction of religious belief, liberty, morality, and public life. Its content has included interviews, essays, book reviews, biographies of intellectual figures, and discussions of political and economic ideas.

• PovertyCureDevelopment education initiative2014

  An Acton initiative that promotes enterprise, local initiative, and partnership as alternatives or complements to paternalistic aid. It uses educational resources and the film Poverty, Inc. to challenge conventional assumptions about international development and poverty relief.

• The Call of the EntrepreneurDocumentary film2007

  A documentary presenting entrepreneurship through the stories of a Michigan dairy farmer, a New York merchant banker, and Hong Kong entrepreneur Jimmy Lai. The film argues that entrepreneurs create social value by accepting risk and pursuing opportunities, and it includes commentary from economists and Acton-associated thinkers.

• Poverty, Inc.Documentary film2014

  A documentary criticizing aid systems that it portrays as paternalistic or institutionally self-perpetuating. It advocates shifting emphasis toward enterprise, local ownership, accountable partnerships, and market participation. The film became a central media component of Acton's PovertyCure initiative.

• The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for FreedomDocumentary film2022

  A documentary produced with Iron Light Labs about Jimmy Lai's movement from mainland China to Hong Kong, his entrepreneurial career, and his role in media and political advocacy. The film presents Lai as a symbol of economic and civil liberty in the face of authoritarian pressure.

• Christian's Library PressPublishing imprint1979

  A Christian publishing imprint founded before Acton assumed its administration in 2009. Under Acton's management, it forms part of the institute's broader publishing and intellectual-resource program.

• 2022The Hong Konger

  United States · International

  Acton and Iron Light Labs used the documentary The Hong Konger to connect Jimmy Lai's business history and political activities with themes of civil liberty, entrepreneurship, and resistance to authoritarianism.

  Outcome. The film received favorable commentary from some conservative and libertarian publications, while its subject remained central to controversy over Hong Kong's national-security law and Lai's prosecution.

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• 2014PovertyCure

  United States · International

  PovertyCure promoted a development model centered on enterprise, local agency, accountable relationships, and partnerships rather than reliance on aid alone.

  Outcome. The initiative gained visibility through Poverty, Inc., which received the Atlas Network's 2014 Templeton Freedom Award.

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• 2007The Call of the Entrepreneur

  United States · International

  Acton used a feature documentary and related outreach to promote entrepreneurship, economic freedom, and the social role of business creators.

  Outcome. The film received mixed critical assessments: supporters praised its uplifting entrepreneurial stories, while critics argued that it presented Acton's worldview without sufficient opposing analysis.

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• 2022The Hong Konger releasedProduct launch

  Acton used documentary production to address contemporary debates about liberty, entrepreneurship, political repression, and Hong Kong.

  What changed. It co-produced The Hong Konger with Iron Light Labs.

  Aftermath. The film generated favorable reviews in some liberty-oriented publications and appeared amid continuing controversy surrounding Jimmy Lai and Hong Kong's national-security regime.

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• 2014Poverty, Inc. and PovertyCure launchedProduct launch

  Acton sought a public-facing way to advance its argument that poverty reduction should emphasize enterprise and local agency.

  What changed. It released Poverty, Inc. and incorporated the film into the PovertyCure initiative.

  Aftermath. The film received an Atlas Network Templeton Freedom Award and became one of Acton's best-known media projects.

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• 2011Abraham Kuyper translation partnershipOther

  Acton wanted to make historically significant Christian political and economic writing available to English-speaking readers.

  What changed. It partnered with Kuyper College to translate Abraham Kuyper's Common Grace into English.

  Aftermath. The first volume, Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science and Art, was unveiled in November 2011.

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• 2009Expansion into administered publishingStrategy

  Acton was developing books, translations, and educational materials to support its research and teaching programs.

  What changed. The institute assumed administration of Christian's Library Press.

  Aftermath. The imprint became part of Acton's publishing platform.

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• 2002International expansion through Rome officeStrategy

  Acton sought to extend its work on religious liberty, economic education, and moral foundations beyond the United States.

  What changed. It opened Istituto Acton in Rome as an international office.

  Aftermath. The Rome office became a base for international outreach and part of Acton's broader network of overseas affiliations.

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• 2023Renewed criticism of climate advocacyControversy

  The New Republic described Acton's work as promoting a Christian-inflected form of climate denial. The characterization renewed debate over the institute's environmental positions and its role in conservative policy networks.

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• 2005Reported ExxonMobil fundingControversy

  Mother Jones reported that Acton appeared among organizations receiving an ExxonMobil donation, stated in the cited material as $155,000. The report was used by critics to question the relationship between the institute's funding and its climate-policy positions.

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• 2000Climate-policy criticism linked to Cornwall Alliance affiliationControversy

  Acton's participation in establishing the Cornwall Alliance became controversial because critics and media outlets characterized the alliance as a climate-denial organization. The dispute concerns the institute's views on climate science, environmental regulation, stewardship, and economic freedom.

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• 2014Poverty, Inc. released

  The film argued that poverty programs should move away from paternalistic aid models toward enterprise, local initiative, and partnerships. It later received an Atlas Network Templeton Freedom Award.

  Product launchCampaign
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• 2011Abraham Kuyper Translation Project begins

  Acton and Kuyper College began translating Abraham Kuyper's three-volume Common Grace into English; the first volume was presented later that year.

  Product launch
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• 2009Christian's Library Press administered by Acton

  Acton began administering the Christian's Library Press imprint, expanding its publishing activity.

  Other
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• 2007The Call of the Entrepreneur premieres

  Acton's documentary about entrepreneurship premiered in Grand Rapids and used stories of a farmer, a merchant banker, and Jimmy Lai to promote enterprise and economic freedom.

  Product launch
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• 2002Rome office opens

  Acton opened Istituto Acton in Rome to extend its religious-liberty and economic-education work internationally.

  Other
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• 1991Centesimus Annus strengthens Acton's intellectual position

  The publication of the papal encyclical Centesimus Annus was viewed by Acton leaders as support for its emphasis on economic freedom, human dignity, and moral responsibility.

  Other
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• 1990Acton Institute founded in Grand Rapids

  Robert A. Sirico and Kris Alan Mauren established the institute to connect economic education with religious and ethical principles.

  Other
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1. Acton Institute
2. Acton Institute official website