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Faith, Family, and Fortune

There is a close relationship between highly successful Dutch American entrepreneurs and their Calvinist values and upbringing, and their success in business has led to major works of philanthropy.

West Michigan has a striking presence of successful Dutch American enterprises or perhaps more accurate, enterprises founded by Dutch Americans. Several of these companies have turned into mega-businesses. Dutch American entrepreneurs have done well and have left their mark on the West Michigan economy.

But most of these Dutch American entrepreneurs are committed Protestants, active members of Reformed churches and firm believers in Calvinist doctrines. Somehow Calvinism and entrepreneurship go well together and, in combination, prosper in the American cultural context. To clarify this relationship is one of the main goals of this study.