2019 Year in Review

At Acton, our mission is simple. We want everyone to understand the foundational ideas that lead to a free and virtuous society. We do this through promoting our unique synthesis of faith and economics. And we focus our efforts on reaching influential leaders in academia, business, and faith communities.

OUR FOUNDERS

A Note from the Founders

Dear Friends,

The Acton Institute was founded nearly 30 years ago with a unique mission, to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles. Like Lord Acton we believe that ideas shape history, they capture the minds and hearts of people, and those people in turn shape our world.

This is our unique mission and calling. There are many organizations working for a free society, many others which promote the flowering of religious life, bur our work is one of synthesis: toward a free and virtuous society. In 2019 we hosted events on four continents, our experts lectured all over the world, we produced high quality books, and we grew the audience for our popular podcast.

We are able to accomplish so much because of prudent stewardship of resources, a talented and dedicated staff, and a community of generous donors deeply invested in our mission. If you have supported us in our pursuit of a free and virtuous society we thank you. If you have just recently learned about our work, we ask you to join us in this endeavor to build an institution dedicated to the ideas necessary for a flourishing and free society.

Rev. Robert A. Sirico

PRESIDENT

Kris Alan Mauren

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Our Work

In 2019, we hosted 90+ events on four continents.

We love engaging people where they live and work. Last year, we shared the message of good intentions and sound economics with nearly 9,000 people.

Our experts presented talks at 80+ institutions and conferences.

It’s always an honor for Acton’s thought-leaders to speak at the world’s leading colleges, universities, and organizations. Last year, we lectured at Princeton, Stanford, Emory, Pontifical Urbaniana University, The King’s College, Reva University, and University of Glasgow to name a few. We also presented Acton’s ideas at the Anglican Leadership Institute, the Free Market Forum, and the Wilberforce Weekend.

We filled the shelves with new publications. (Including 12 new books to be exact.)

From scholarly monographs to books with layman’s appeal, Acton is committed publishing works that examine the intersection between faith and economics. Highlights include three new titles in our Abraham Kuyper Collected Works in Public Theology series and The Humane Economist: a Wilhelm Ropke Reader. Additionally, Samuel Gregg’s newest work, Reason, Faith, and the Struggle for Western Civilization was short-listed for the Conservative Book of the Year award.

We filled the airwaves with Acton Line, our popular podcast.

With triple-digit growth in 2019, Acton Line episodes covered everything from environmentalism to Kanye West’s Christianity. By joining the Ricochet Network, Acton Line tapped into new audiences eager to hear how faith, liberty, and free markets can be woven together for human flourishing.

OUR IMPACT

Our Impact

We’re changing hearts and minds.

How do you measure success? Is the path to a more free and virtuous society quantifiable? At Acton, our impact is clear from the testimonials of those who interact with us, attend our events, and use our resources in their own preaching, teaching, and work. Watch the video to see just one example of how Acton is making a difference.

VIEW TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials

Fergus Hodgson

@ActonInstitute. This organization does impeccable work promoting a free and virtuous society. I just got done in Dallas with their event on cronyism, which featured many brilliant people. #Liberalism #Capitalism #Cronyism pic.twitter.com/y3R1umCaId

– @FergHodgson

Alexia T

“Acton University has been a highlight of my year, contributing to my personal, spiritual and professional growth. Being in contact with good ideas and great people is an incentive to keep doing hard work in my local place of influence. Thank you for all your efforts! “

Alejandra F.

“Acton University 2019 was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It gave me the courage to be a more active lawyer in the fight against of the communism, populism or socialism.”

Financials

Nothing we do would be possible without the partnership of our generous donors. We strive to maximize the impact of every gift we receive in support of our mission.

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