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The Heritage Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$60K - $0.5M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
11%

The Heritage Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,000,000 (Innovation Prizes program)
  • Success Rate: ~11% (80+ applications for 9-11 awards in 2024)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3-4 months (announcement in spring for February deadline)
  • Grant Range: $60,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (state and national organizations)

Contact Details

Address: 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002-4958

Phone: (202) 546-4400

Email: info@heritage.org

Website: https://www.heritage.org

Innovation Prizes Program: https://www.heritage.org/innovationprizes

Overview

Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is one of America's most influential conservative think tanks, with assets exceeding $415 million and total annual revenue of approximately $101 million. The organization's mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Under the leadership of President Kevin D. Roberts, PhD (since October 2021), Heritage has expanded its grant-making activities through the Innovation Prizes program, which awards approximately $1 million annually to results-oriented nonprofit organizations. The foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees chaired by Barb Van Andel-Gaby. Heritage employs over 100 policy experts and maintains a grassroots network of over 2 million supporters through Heritage Action for America. The organization has received recognition as one of the most influential public policy organizations in the United States and played a leading role in shaping conservative policy during the Reagan administration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Heritage Innovation Prizes - Annual competitive awards totaling approximately $1,000,000

  • Individual awards range from $60,000 to $500,000
  • Some multi-year awards distributed over several years
  • Application deadline: February 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
  • Winners announced: Spring 2026
  • Application method: Online application through heritage.org/innovationprizes
  • Fifth round of awards completed in 2025

America's 250th Innovation Prizes - Special program celebrating the nation's semiquincentennial

  • Additional $250,000 awarded in special rounds
  • Separate timeline from main Innovation Prizes

Priority Areas

The Innovation Prizes fund projects (not direct services) involving:

  • Research
  • Litigation
  • Education
  • Outreach
  • Communications

Priority themes receiving special consideration:

  • American families and family formation
  • Workforce development
  • National security
  • Constitutional governance
  • Empowering parents in education
  • Holding Big Tech accountable and restoring digital sovereignty
  • Countering the threat of the Chinese Communist Party
  • Securing America's borders and reducing crime
  • Ensuring free and fair elections
  • Reducing the growth of spending and inflation
  • Promoting life and family formation

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct services programs
  • General operating support (except for new organizations incorporated after 2023)
  • Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing
  • Projects that do not align with conservative policy principles

Governance and Leadership

President: Kevin D. Roberts, PhD

  • Appointed October 2021; also serves as President of Heritage Action for America (since September 2023)
  • Previously CEO of Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), where he more than doubled the organization's size
  • Former president of Wyoming Catholic College

Quote from President Roberts: "Heritage's mission is to get things done, and increasingly, we want to do so at the state and local level, and through Heritage Action as well as our own work at The Heritage Foundation."

Board Structure: Independent Board of Trustees (approximately 18 members as of 2024) chaired by Barb Van Andel-Gaby

Notable board members include:

  • Larry P. Arnn - President, Hillsdale College (since 2002)
  • Rebekah Mercer - Director, Mercer Family Foundation (since 2014)
  • Brian Tracy - Motivational speaker and author (since 2003)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Inquiry (Optional but Encouraged) Submit an inquiry form to assess whether your project and organization would be a good fit. Heritage Foundation team will respond promptly to advise whether you should submit a full application.

Step 2: Full Application Submission

Required materials include:

  • Project description, objectives, expected outcomes, and timeline
  • Detailed budget with specific award amount request
  • List of key participants and their qualifications
  • Organization description, board list, operating budget, and annual report
  • IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
  • Most recent Form 990

Application Fee: None

Eligibility:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing
  • State and national organizations encouraged to apply
  • New or existing organizations welcome
  • Past recipients may reapply
  • Organizations may submit multiple applications

Decision Timeline

  • Application Opens: Mid-November (November 17, 2025 for next round)
  • Application Deadline: Early February (February 2, 2026 for next round)
  • Winners Announced: Spring (approximately 3-4 months after deadline)
  • Awards Ceremony: Winners honored at Heritage Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Success Rates

The Innovation Prizes are described as "a prestigious and highly competitive award."

2024 Round Statistics:

  • Over 80 submissions received
  • 9 organizations won awards
  • Success rate: Approximately 11% or less

The program has seen increasing application numbers each year since its inception in 2022.

Reapplication Policy

Past recipients may reapply for new projects. There is no stated restriction on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Innovation and Creative Disruption: Heritage explicitly seeks "daring projects that spark creative disruption within the conservative movement." Standard approaches are less likely to succeed than novel strategies.

Project-Specific Focus: Applications must be project-specific rather than requests for general operating support (except for organizations incorporated after 2023). Clearly define deliverables, timelines, and expected outcomes.

Alignment with Priority Issues: While all conservative policy projects are considered, applications emphasizing Heritage's seven priority issues receive preferential consideration. Explicitly connect your project to one or more priority areas.

Conservative Movement Impact: Heritage describes award winners as "results-oriented nonprofits." Demonstrate how your project will achieve measurable policy change, not just conduct activities.

State and Local Focus: Under President Roberts' leadership, Heritage has emphasized increasing impact at state and local levels. Projects with state-level components may align well with this strategic direction.

Recent Award Recipients as Examples:

2025 Winners (June announcement): American College of Pediatricians, American Reformer, Ben Franklin Fellowship, Do No Harm, Families Empowered, LifeWise Academy, Napa Legal Institute, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, State Armor, Them Before Us, and Wired Human

2024 Winners: American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), American Accountability Foundation, Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN), Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), The Claremont Institute, The College Fix, Feds for Freedom, Immigration Accountability Project, and Institute for Family Studies & Ethics and Public Policy Center

2023 Winners: Communio, National Association of Scholars, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Speech First, and Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

No Strings Attached: Heritage explicitly states that they do not expect operational influence in return for funding, though impact reporting is required post-award.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Think bold and innovative - Heritage specifically seeks "creative disruption" within the conservative movement, not incremental improvements to existing programs
  • Submit the optional inquiry first - While not required, the pre-application inquiry can save significant effort if your project isn't aligned; Heritage promises prompt feedback
  • Focus on results and measurable impact - Emphasize concrete policy outcomes and deliverables rather than activities; Heritage funds "results-oriented nonprofits"
  • Align with current priorities - Applications emphasizing American families, workforce development, national security, or constitutional governance receive priority consideration
  • State-level projects may have an advantage - President Roberts has emphasized increasing Heritage's state and local impact
  • Competition is increasing - With 80+ applications for fewer than 11 awards, success rates are approximately 11%; ensure your application is exceptionally strong
  • Multiple applications and reapplications are welcome - Organizations may submit multiple distinct projects and past recipients can reapply, suggesting Heritage values ongoing relationships with effective partners

References

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