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Poverty Cure Center

Together we are well positioned to leverage our 32 years of experience promoting a free and virtuous society and our extensive work in addressing the causes and remedies for global and domestic poverty. Our capacity to convene poverty-fighting leaders and empower them is second to none. Through our work, we are able to:

  • Ground leaders in the philosophical principles underlying human flourishing, with a particular emphasis on free enterprise, limited government, human dignity, and the rule of law

  • Clarify the social nature of the human person and understand the importance of localized community cooperation and the positive effects of decentralization

  • Equip leaders with proven, practical tools and the networks necessary to close gaps within their communities, and thereby remove obstacles to lifting people out of poverty in a sustainable way

Connect those leaders to additional resources and institutions that have a complementary vision and capabilities for tackling poverty

Objectives

While there are many institutions that study best practices in the poverty-fighting space, Acton’s contribution is unique—and more relevant than ever. Our focus is on educating leaders in the core principles necessary for the application of those best practices. Without this rightly ordered philosophical framework, it is easy to derail even a proven system by divorcing it from its philosophical roots and infusing it with a faulty ideology. Grounded in foundational principles, the Acton’s Institute’s work is sustainable and enjoys long-term, positive effects.

Proceeding from our belief in the dignity and capacity of the human person and our desire to see communities flourish, our vision is to dramatically reduce future poverty through disruptive new ideas, practices, and decentralized policies, and by unleashing entrepreneurial synergy. The Center has plans to:

  • Produce a new documentary on domestic poverty as a sequel to Poverty, Inc.

  • Host our second Poverty Cure Summit and educational retreats for nonprofit leaders, conduct major research projects, and update our online presence

  • Create a grant program for poverty-fighting leaders and produce new publications on topics related to poverty

Through this work we will continue to build up a network of 500+ poverty-fighting organizations and offer them concrete support to expand their capacity.

Testimonials

“One of our Dean’s List students walked into my office and described his “this changed my life” moment after watching Poverty Inc. He arrived at college not having a career direction and found one in 1 hour and 31 minutes thanks to your work. Every freshman takes my course, so basically the entire college has seen it by now. Poverty Inc. is one of the most impactful, career-determining film products I’ve ever seen in a classroom setting. I’m not exaggerating. Again, this happens every fall semester.”

College Professor

“There’s a certain paradigm in which we try to help the poor and it comes with underlying assumptions and images about poor people. It comes with a good heart. They give us food, they bring us shoes, they dig us wells, and they encourage others to give. The problem is, it does not work. And yet, the icons of charity remain the same.”

Magatte Wade

“I confess I went to Acton University as a disillusioned communist-leaning intellectual, desperately wanting to help my poor inner-city church. I left with a fire to help the poor, but more importantly a framework to actually help them. There are many changed lives in the inner city of Houston because of Acton University.”

AU Participant

“You’ll never look at poverty and the Third World the same again.”

Michael Moore

“Compulsory viewing for anyone interested in social issues.”

Rathna Ramamurthi, India | Harvard Law School
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Documentaries

Poverty Inc.

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Poverty in America (coming soon)

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Start a Peer-to-Peer Campaign

Poverty Cure Center

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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.