The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is a right-wing think-tank blending religion and free-enterprise ideology to promote laissez-faire economics. The Institute organizes seminars for religious, academics, and business leaders to link free-market economics and religion and publishes books, journals, and opinion promoting its ideals.
The Acton Institute has been particularly aggressive in attacking social justice activists that use religion as an organizing tool, with the Acton Institute attacking campaigners against poverty and against hunger. The Acton Institute has also been quite active in challenging global warming and has worked to minimize religious concern over the issue.
Local Funding
The Acton Institute receives funding from a variety of West Michigan area foundations including the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, the Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation, the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation, and the Jay and Betty Van Andel Foundation.
Funding from Corporations
The Acton Institute has received $215,000 from ExxonMobil since 1998.
Leaders, Members, and Others Associated with the Organization
- Betsy DeVos, former member of the Board of Directors
Resources on Mediamouse.org
- 05/18/07: Grand Rapids Think-Tank Receives Additional $50,000 from Exxon-Mobil
- 04/11/07: Local Think-Tank Wins Award for ‘Free Market Solutions to Poverty’
- 02/17/07: Acton Speaker: Corporations should not do anything other than Generate Wealth
- 02/08/07: Grand Rapids Think-Tank Brings ExxonMobil Funded Global Warming Skeptic to Town
- 09/01/97: Local Think Tank Invites Media Pundit
- 05/01/95: The Acton Institute’s War on the Poor
- 03/01/94: Lord-ing it over others: Local Think Tank Feels Right at Home
External Resources
- SourceWatch Profile of the Acton Institute
- 02/01/04: Conservative Watch: The Acton Institute
- 05/10/01: The Catholic power broker
- 07/01/00: The Interfaith Council for Environmental Stewardship
