KAP 2026-2027 - Programs Associate - Acton Institute (Grand Rapids)

The Koch Associate Program (KAP) is a career accelerator for early to mid-career professionals with a drive to tackle our country’s most pressing challenges in more effective, principled ways. KAP equips associates with the tools, mindsets, and community to succeed as social entrepreneurs—individuals excited to find new and better ways to break barriers and eliminate injustice. Associates spend one day each week engaging in experiential learning with Stand Together Fellowships and work at one of our many partner organizations the rest of the week. Our curriculum is designed to supercharge your development and equip you for long-term success as you seek to have an impact on the problems that prevent people from realizing their potential.

About the Acton Institute

For thirty-five years, the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty has promoted a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles. We are an ecumenical, nonprofit research organization that promotes the benefits of free enterprise and the interdependence of moral principles and true freedom to religious communities, businesspeople, students, and educators. With an international scope, Acton manages a robust publishing and events outreach that argues for a moral foundation to the market economy. Wholly independent, the nonpartisan Institute works across many faith traditions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Our intellectual research, teaching, and popularization at the intersection of faith and economics, morality and markets, and religion and liberty are unique in the liberty movement as is our reach among the religiously minded.

Tasks will Include

• Assist with planning, coordination, logistics, and execution of our Acton Lecture Series events and other building events.
• Coordinate participant & staff logistics, including air/ground transportation, lodging, food/beverage, and special requests.
• Communicate with domestic and international participants, speakers, VIPs, and internal stakeholders.
• Track and manage conference and project deadlines and program/event reports.
• Manage databases including data input; organizing; summarizing; maintaining systems & databases; acting as a power-user in Salesforce and Swoogo.
• Create and manage a database of external relationships.
• Provide general administrative support for the Programs & Education Department.
• Coordinate and assist with various cross-departmental projects.
• Work closely with senior program staff to execute high-profile public programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Acton's mission and passionate about both free-market economics and moral formation.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Prior Event Management or CRM Software Experience is a plus.
• 2+ years of professional experience or internship equivalents planning and coordinating events.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing your interest, alignment with Acton’s mission, and relevant experience

About Stand Together Fellowships

Learn more about Stand Together Fellowships.

Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.