Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
The mission of the acton institute is to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles.
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty at a glance
In short: Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty gave $43K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), top state Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $43,400
- +50.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,680
- +20.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $23,167,512
- -12.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Evergreen Commons ($15K). Together the top 5 received $43K.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 24 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty gives
- Giving fell 89% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2024) to $413K (2022). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $43K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Commons Holland, MI | Organizational Support | $15,000 |
| Wheaton College Wheaton, IL | Organizational Support | $8,800 |
| The University of Toledo Foundation Toledo, OH | Organizational Support | $8,000 |
| The Catholic University of America Washington, DC | Organizational Support | $6,100 |
| University of St Thomas Houston, TX | Organizational Support | $5,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,167,512 | $8,912,544 | $12,018,869 | $43,400 | 5 | $559,756 |
| 2024 | $26,553,120 | $10,800,520 | $12,190,607 | $28,900 | 4 | $843,613 |
| 2023 | $28,105,018 | $12,022,890 | $12,677,342 | $99,735 | 3 | $1,926,928 |
| 2022 | $29,496,446 | $13,230,695 | $11,795,621 | $413,236 | 7 | $1,110,500 |
| 2021 | $30,417,639 | $14,973,316 | $7,787,441 | $242,854 | 5 | $866,768 |
| 2020 | $18,578,686 | $8,804,881 | $7,085,503 | $149,500 | 4 | $569,891 |
About Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
Based on IRS filings
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Grand Rapids, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $23.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $43K. Net investment income was $560K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is led by Kris Mauren, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kris Mauren
President
Executive Director → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$221K (2020) → $374K (2025)
David Humphreys
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Pinheiro
Director of Research
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $134K (2025)
Dan Churchwell
Director of Programs & Education
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$115K (2025)
David A Durell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Graves
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Muraski
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Bond
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Quintana
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Montserrat
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Duthler
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Bahnsen
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Miller
Chief of Strategic Initiatives
Director of Media → Chief of Strategic Initiatives, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $176K (2025)
Robert A. Sirico
President Emeritus
President → President Emeritus, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$209K (2020) → $171K (2025)
Stephen Barrows
Chief Operating Officer
Managing Director of Programs → Chief Operating Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$158K (2020) → $188K (2025)
Tom Vogt
Chief Financial Officer
Director of Finance → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$93K (2020) → $136K (2025)
Kevin Augustyn
Vice President of Development
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$144K (2022) → $204K (2025)
Anthony Bradley
Distinguished Research Fellow
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$150K (2024) → $152K (2025)
Frank Hanna III
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jc Huizenga
Assistant Secretary
Secretary → Assistant Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Kennedy III
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Hern
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Alejandro Chafuen (2020–2024) — Managing Director of International
- Former: Eric Kohn (2020–2023) — Director of Communications
- Former: Nathaniel Fischer (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rick DeVos (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: John Crowe (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kyle Bode (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Anthony Sacramone (2022) — Executive Editor
- Former: Sam Gregg (2020–2021) — Director of Research
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $374K, to Kris Mauren (President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
How much does Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty give each year?
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty gave $43K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $29K across 4 grants.
What is Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's typical grant size?
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's median grant in 2025 was $8,000, and its average grant was $8,680, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty give grants?
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's top state is Michigan, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Illinois (20%) and Ohio (18%).
Does Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Organizational Support" (5 grants).
Who are Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's largest grantees?
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's largest 2025 grantees include Evergreen Commons ($15,000), Wheaton College ($8,800) and The University of Toledo Foundation ($8,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty?
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty reported $23.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.9M.
What is Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty?
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Grand Rapids, MI. It holds $23.2M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's EIN?
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2926822. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 18, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty's focus areas in our free grants database
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