Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty

Analysis

Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is a registered charity in United States, based in Grand Rapids, MI. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in September 1990, 36 years ago. Its declared purposes cover civil rights, social action and advocacy, which this site groups under human rights and equality. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty reported income of $12.0m and spending of $12.7m, spending 105% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $10.5m to $12.0m (+15%), an average of +3.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 70%. Over the whole period it spent 84% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 96th percentile within MI. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include New Mexico Legal Aid Inc ($12.0m), Maine Childrens Trust Inc ($12.0m) and Utah County Public Defender Association ($12.0m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 82% and program service revenue 3.4% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $915k (7.2% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $3.0m. It paid $23k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $28.1m against liabilities of $154k, net assets of $28.0m. It reported 45 employees.