About Heritage
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative public policy think tank, similar to the American Enterprise Institute. However, Heritage is unique in that it is a Christian think tank, and its research is heavily focused on Christian values and the role of religion in public policy.
Founded
1973
Location
Washington, DC
Key Publication
Heritage Reports
Focus Areas
Conservative Policy, Christian Values, Free Enterprise, National Defense, Nationalism
History & Impact
Founded in 1973, the Heritage Foundation has grown into one of the most influential conservative think tanks in the United States. Known for its comprehensive policy recommendations and transition teams for incoming Republican administrations. The think tank was brought into prominence under the Reagan administration.
Key Milestones
- 1973: Founded by Paul Weyrich, Edwin Feulner, and Joseph Coors
- 1980: Published "Mandate for Leadership" for Reagan transition
- 1994: Influenced Contract with America
- 2016: Provided policy recommendations for Trump transition
- 2025: The architect of Project 2025: A plan for a radical reshaping of the United States under the Republican administration of Donald Trump. It entails appointing ideologically aligned civil servants, restricting abortion access, opposing LGBTQ+ rights, transforming federal agencies for political purposes, and imposing strict immigration policies
Policy Influence
Heritage has been particularly influential in shaping conservative policy positions on issues ranging from abortion, tax reform, the power of the executive branch, and national security. The organization's research and recommendations have directly influenced Republican administrations and congressional policy.
Controversies & Criticism
Project 2025 & Radical Policy Agenda
- Project 2025: A comprehensive plan for a radical reshaping of the United States under a Republican administration. It entails appointing ideologically aligned civil servants, restricting abortion access, opposing LGBTQ+ rights, transforming federal agencies for political purposes, and imposing strict immigration policies
- Executive Power Expansion: Advocates for significant expansion of presidential powers and weakening of checks and balances
- Civil Service Overhaul: Proposes replacing career civil servants with political appointees to ensure ideological alignment
- Social Policy Extremism: Promotes extreme positions on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and religious freedom that would roll back decades of progress
Religious & Ideological Influence
- Christian Nationalism: Promotes the integration of conservative Christian values into government policy and institutions
- Religious Freedom Advocacy: Uses religious freedom arguments to justify discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups
- Education Policy: Advocates for school choice and voucher programs that could undermine public education and promote religious indoctrination
Political Connections & Influence
- Trump Administration Ties: Deep connections to the Trump administration, with numerous Heritage staff members moving into key government positions
- Republican Party Integration: Functions as a de facto policy arm of the Republican Party, particularly its far-right faction
- Judicial Influence: Played a significant role in shaping the federal judiciary through recommendations and vetting of judicial nominees
- State Policy Network: Coordinates with state-level conservative organizations to implement policies nationwide
Funding & Transparency Issues
- Dark Money: The Heritage Foundation receives substantial funding from undisclosed donors through various conservative funding networks and advisory boards.
- Conservative Mega-Donor Influence: Since 2020, the Heritage Foundation has taken tens of millions from conservative mega-donors, including the Coors family (2.7 million), Koch brothers (9.6 million), the Uihlein family (13 million), the Scaife family (21.5 million), the Seid family (22.4 million), the Bradley family (52.9 million), and countless others.
- Coalition Funding: The coalition of groups supporting Project 2025 has recieved an enourmous amount of funding from the Christian Right, corporations, and advocacy groups, likely to number in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Policy Impact & Consequences
- Healthcare Policy: Advocates for dismantling the Affordable Care Act and reducing healthcare access for millions
- Environmental Policy: Promotes climate change denial and deregulation of environmental protections
- Immigration Policy: Supports extreme immigration restrictions and family separation policies
- Economic Policy: Advocates for tax cuts benefiting the wealthy and deregulation that could harm workers and consumers
Current Role
Today, Heritage is more powerful than ever, providing research and recommendations on a wide range of domestic and international issues directly to the Trump administration. The organization remains influential in shaping Republican policy positions and conservative thought.
Board of Directors
Meet the power players shaping conservative policy at Heritage
Barb Van Andel-Gaby
Chairman - Heritage Foundation
Board Member - Amway
Chairman of Heritage Foundation and member of the influential Van Andel family, known for their conservative philanthropy and business empire.
💰 Conservative Donor Investigate →Michael W. Gleba
Vice Chairman - Heritage Foundation
Chairman - Sarah Scaife Foundation
Vice Chairman of Heritage Foundation and Chairman of the influential Sarah Scaife Foundation, a major conservative funding source.
💰 Conservative Donor Investigate →Larry P. Arnn, PhD
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
President - Hillsdale College
President of Hillsdale College and conservative intellectual, known for his work in education and political philosophy.
🎓 Education Investigate →John Coleman
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Managing Partner - Sovereign Capital
Business leader and conservative philanthropist, managing partner of Sovereign Capital investment firm.
💰 Conservative Donor Investigate →Edwin J. Feulner, PhD
Founder and President Emeritus - Heritage Foundation
Founding father of Heritage Foundation and conservative policy leader who shaped the organization's direction for decades.
🏛️ Policy Leader Investigate →Robert P. George, DPhil
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Professor Emeritus - Princeton University
Leading conservative intellectual and author of political philosophy books, shaping conservative thought in academia.
🎓 Academia Investigate →Ryan Haggerty
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
RHR Consulting
Business executive and conservative activist, working in consulting and business development.
🏢 Business Leader Investigate →Price Harding
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Chairman - CarterBaldwin
Business leader and executive search firm chairman, connecting conservative leaders with key positions.
🏢 Business Leader Investigate →Virginia Heckman
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Manager - Noble Properties Inc
Conservative activist and real estate executive, managing property investments and development.
🏢 Business Leader Investigate →Mark A. Kolokotrones
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Founder and President - Castle Knoll Investments LLC
Investment firm founder and conservative donor, managing significant financial resources.
💰 Conservative Donor Investigate →Shane McCullar
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
CEO - KW Metro Center
Real estate executive and conservative activist, leading a major real estate firm.
🏢 Business Leader Investigate →Rebekah A. Mercer
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Founder - Mercer Family Foundation
Conservative mega-donor and political activist, wielding significant influence through the Mercer Family Foundation.
💰 Mega-Donor Investigate →Abby Spencer Moffat
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
CEO - Diane Davis Spencer Foundation
Conservative activist and foundation CEO, managing philanthropic initiatives.
💰 Conservative Donor Investigate →Nersi Nazari, PhD
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
CEO - VitalConnect
Healthcare technology executive and conservative donor, leading medical device innovation.
🏢 Business Leader Investigate →Darryle Owens
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
CEO - Owens Recruiting Solutions
Executive search firm CEO and conservative activist, specializing in leadership placement.
🏢 Business Leader Investigate →Kevin D. Roberts, PhD
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Former CEO - MAC Cosmetics
Business executive and conservative leader, bringing corporate experience to conservative policy.
🏢 Business Leader Investigate →Brian Tracy
Board Member - Heritage Foundation
Motivational Speaker, Author
Influential motivational speaker and author, promoting conservative values through personal development.
🎓 Education Investigate →