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Acton University

For several years now, the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, compiled by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, has listed Acton University as the No. 1 free market conference in the world. Each year Acton University attracts nearly 1,000 attendees from around the world, including scholars, clergy, business professionals, and nonprofit leaders. Acton University is where they engage in unmatched educational programming and discussions aimed at developing a cohesive understanding of individual liberty, free markets, and personal moral responsibility. But Acton University is more than a conference: It’s a life-changing event for many of the attendees.

Objectives

Since 2005 we’ve received comments about how life-changing it is after every summer conference—comments from people who’ve decided to bring back the lessons from the four-day program and implement them in their lives and to foster a community based on faith and freedom.

We typically receive double the number of applications that we can host and so select only the top individuals based on their unique authority and impact within their communities. Past years have shown that the average attendee influences hundreds of people, leading to thousands more being reached by Acton University’s curriculum, table conversations, and classroom engagement with lecturers.

In 2020 Acton chose to bring our world-class programing to new audiences by creating a highly engaging online experience. Premiering in 2020, the new “Acton University Online” allowed us to connect with more leaders than ever. In 2021 we welcomed more than 3,300 registrants from 86 countries around the world, allowing us to more than TRIPLE OUR USUAL REACH! Condensed into two days, this world-renowned educational event enabled attendees to participate in digital panel discussions, “Engage the Speaker” sessions, topic-focused chat rooms, and on-demand lectures. Main-stage plenary sessions were also broadcast in French, Portuguese, and English to accommodate the diverse crowd. Participants designed their own curriculum by choosing from over 50 sessions on theology, business, economics, philosophy, politics, history, and international development. Courses were offered by a diverse faculty of international experts drawn from business, academia, and a number of religious traditions.

With sessions like “Economic Growth and Institutions: A History,” “International Economic Development: Latin America,” “An Ecosystem of Liberty: Private Property and the Free Exercise of Religion,” and “Understanding Globalization,” Acton University provides a chance to meet, personally connect with, and be inspired by highly leveraged leaders and scholars from different backgrounds, areas of expertise, and nationalities.

Testimonials

“I’m not exaggerating: My experience at Acton University has changed the way I see the world. Acton’s principles have helped me see the world as it actually is, and for that I’m grateful. The ideas I learned through Acton have helped me better understand and critique public policy proposals, but I’ve also used Acton’s principles in ministry. I am speechless. It was life-changing. Amen.”

Anonymous

“I have been a part of many educational/development experiences over the past four decades. My experience over the past two days stands above all of those institutions. The impact on my thinking, on my heart, on my soul has been significant. Thank you for such a rich blessing.”

Anonymous

“I am very grateful to Acton University and team for organizing such a conference, which has helped and will continue to help bridge the gap between the church, state, and civilians. It has brought together the scholars, the religious leaders, and the lay entrepreneurs. I now understand how I can use my position and knowledge to change my environment for the betterment of human dignity. I thank God for Acton University—for the scholarship and support.”

Anonymous
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Stats

16,433

Applicants since 2010

16,950

Participants since 2010

86

Countries represented

6,934

International participants

91%

Participants receiving scholarships

$6,204,684.83

Funds raised to host AU since 2010

Donate Now

Start a Peer-to-Peer Campaign

Acton University

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(616) 454-3080

Support@acton.org

98 E. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
© Copyright - 2022 | Acton Institute
Business MattersCity FAVS (Toward a Free and Virtuous Society)
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The Development Team








P2P Campaign FAQ

Start a Peer-to-Peer Campaign to Support the Acton Institute

You are probably considering a peer-to-peer campaign to support the Acton Institute because you have seen the impact of our programs, whether directly or indirectly. We believe that your personal connection to the cause is your best fundraising tool. Take some time to think about your reasons for supporting the Acton Institute and use your personal story (or stories from attending an Acton event, volunteering for Acton, donating to Acton, advocating for Acton, etc.) for fundraising through emails, social media, phone calls, and conversations.

Kick Off Your Peer-to-Peer with These Helpful Tips! 

  • Set an attainable fundraising goal (e.g., $100­–$1,000 or higher!). A fundraising goal encourages your friends, family, and acquaintances to give the most they feel comfortable giving.
  • Personalize your peer-to-peer page. Let the world know why you are fundraising for the Acton Institute and why the cause is so important to you. Potential donors are much more likely to help you reach your goal if they understand the powerful reasons behind your decision to support the Acton Institute and our programs.
  • Explore your network. We recommend making sure you ask everyone you know for support, not just close friends and family. Think about all the people you interact with on a regular basis who might be willing to support your fundraising—neighbors, co-workers, doctors/dentists, classmates, teammates, and people in organizations or groups you belong to like a church, mosque, or synagogue.
  • Time your peer-to-peer campaign. Start your campaign early (or at your earliest convenience) and often for the support of your entire network. With everyone’s unpredictable schedules, it is easy to forget to make a donation. By giving potential donors a deadline, you make it easier for your network to remember to give to such an amazing cause.
  • Post on social media. Research shows that people who fundraise online raise 3x more than people who don’t. Post a status or email your friends! Insert the link to your personal fundraising page to the signature line of your emails.

Your peer-to-peer campaign will help the Acton Institute reach more people and continue to provide life-changing programs throughout the country and around the world.

For more information, please reach out to the Development Team at the Acton Institute.