For first-time visitors
Managing my membership
Joining the Heritage team
Heritage programs
What is The Heritage Foundation?
As a public policy research organization—a “think tank”—Heritage is a truly unique institution,
Drawing solutions to today’s problems from the ideas, principles and traditions that have made America great, our work has influenced government policy since we opened our doors in 1973.
Our staff of experts has years of experience in business, government and on Capitol Hill. And we don’t just produce research. We produce conservative solutions—and then market them to Congress, the executive branch, the news media and the American people. Our goal is not simply to shape a policy, but to change the national debate.
Back to top
What does The Heritage Foundation stand for?
As conservatives, we believe the values and ideas that motivated our Founding Fathers are worth conserving. And as policy entrepreneurs, we believe the most effective solutions are consistent with those ideas and values.
We believe in
- individual freedom
- free enterprise
- limited government
- a strong national defense
- traditional American values
Our vision is to build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity and civil society flourish. Our proposals build on our country’s economic, political and social heritage to produce a safer, stronger, freer, more prosperous America and a safer, more prosperous, freer world.
We want an America
- that is safe and secure
- where choices (in education, health care and retirement) abound
- where taxes are fair, flat, and comprehensible
- where everybody has the opportunity to go as far as their talents will take them
- where government concentrates on its core functions, recognizes its limits and treats all citizens equally before the law
Back to top
Is Heritage affiliated with any political party?
No, The Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We do not support any political party or engage in lobbying activities.
Back to top
When was Heritage founded?
The Heritage Foundation was founded on February 16, 1973 with backing from Joseph Coors, Richard Scaife and Edward Noble in order to deliver compelling and persuasive research to Congress providing facts, data, and sound arguments on behalf of conservative principles.
Back to top
Where is Heritage located?
The Heritage Foundation is only three blocks from the Capitol in Washington, D.C., and only one block from the Senate office buildings.
Our address:
214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Our location is one of our most powerful assets. Members of Congress often choose The Heritage Foundation as the place to announce major new conservative initiatives and legislation. Our location makes it easy for the national news media to cover these events, too.
Our location also gives Heritage something we call “the 17-minute advantage.” Members of Congress carry beepers to alert them when a vote on legislation is about to take place. They have about 17 minutes after they’re “beeped” to get back to the House or Senate. If they’re late, they miss the vote. Heritage is just steps away from the Capitol Building—safely within that crucial 17-minute deadline.
This is right where we should be ... in the heart of our nation’s capital, keeping an eye on Congress, holding politician’s feet to the fire, making sure they keep their promises to restore the American values we cherish.
Back to top
How does The Heritage Foundation receive its funding?
With 275,000 members, The Heritage Foundation is the most broadly supported think tank in America. Approximately 67% of contributions come from individuals, 27% from foundations, and 6% from corporations. The Heritage Foundation receives no money from government grants and performs no contract work.
The vast majority of Heritage’s operating income is provided by undesignated contributions, which totaled $33 million in 2005. We received another $6.8 million in temporarily restricted contributions, $10 million in investment income and $1.5 million from building rental income and publication sales.
Back to top
Can members visit Heritage?
Yes, please feel free to visit our headquarters whenever you are in the Washington, DC area.
Please call our membership office at 800-546-2843 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time in advance of your visit so that we can give you a tour of our facilities.
Back to top
Who should I contact if I have a question?
Please contact our membership office at 800-546-2843 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time or send us an e-mail at membership@heritage.org.
Back to top
How can I make a change to my membership information?
To make a change in your mailing address or to change the frequency of Heritage mailings, please contact our membership office at 800-546-2843 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time or send us an e-mail at membership@heritage.org.
Back to top
Why should I join The Heritage Foundation?
We hope you’ll find that our values as an institution and our commitment to achieving policy change based on
conservative principles resonate with your own values and approach.
Well before we took possession of two buildings a stone’s throw from the Capitol, Heritage began as a simple idea,
one we remain committed to today: This nation was founded upon conservative principles; and the policies that govern it
should be consistent with those founding principles.
From the very beginning, Heritage’s mission has been to use the core principles of American conservatism – free enterprise,
limited government, personal responsibility, and individual freedom – to formulate and promote policy solutions for the
problems facing America. We provide lawmakers with timely, concise, yet thorough policy research on issues currently being debated. Today, we have over 275,000 individual
Heritage members supporting a staff of nearly 200, and we occupy two eight-story buildings three blocks from the U.S. Capitol.
While much has changed in and around Washington over the past 30 years, our mission (and the fundamental principles it
seeks to advance) hasn’t changed a bit. Members of Congress still need timely and accurate research to support their proposals and ideas,
and, at times, they still need to be reminded of the Founding Principles upon which our democracy was built. Not only do we educate members
of Congress on the ins-and-outs of public policy through the lens of principled conservatism, we also arm lawmakers and their staffs with the intellectual ammunition needed to make the case for reform.
But in order to accomplish our mission, it’s no longer enough these days to simply generate policy research and put it in the hands of
the right people in Congress. Since Congress pays close attention to public opinion, we also need to inform the general public through news
media. Here again Heritage is a leader among think tanks. But not only are we adept at spreading our policy message far and wide, we also have
the capacity and the will to aggressively engage our opponents on the battlefield of ideas, whether on television, radio, in the newspapers,
or on the Internet.
To be sure, we have the means to combat liberal fictions with facts, but with your help, we can accomplish even more. We hope you will consider
joining our ranks.
Back to top
What are the benefits of joining The Heritage Foundation?
By joining The Heritage Foundation, you will join hundreds of thousands of like-minded individuals from all across America. They believe, like you, in free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.
Membership benefits include:
- Our quarterly newsletter, Heritage Members News
- Invitations to exclusive events in Washington, D.C. and nationwide
- Access to facts and analysis on important issues and dozens of new publications from The Heritage Foundation each month
For a full list of benefits, visit our donation page.
Back to top
Are donations to The Heritage Foundation tax deductible?
Yes. The Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift, and estate taxes. Our federal tax identification number is 23-7327730.
Back to top
What is Heritage's tax identification number?
The Heritage Foundation's federal tax identification number is 23-7327730.
Back to top
Which credit cards do you accept?
The Heritage Foundation accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Credit card contributions can be made by using our secure online form or by calling our Membership Office at 800-546-2843.
Back to top
Can I make a gift to Heritage by check?
Certainly. Checks should be made payable to “The Heritage Foundation” and mailed to our offices at:
214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Back to top
Can I donate through the Combined Federal Campaign?
Yes. Federal employees and military personnel can donate to Heritage through the Combined Federal Campaign or CFC. To donate to Heritage, use CFC #10155. Visit the CFC website for more information about opportunities in your workplace.
Back to top
How else can I give to The Heritage Foundation?
In addition to cash gifts, there are several other methods of giving. The Heritage Foundation Development Office staff can help you tailor a gift that helps Heritage and fulfills your long-term charitable and financial goals.
Cash Gifts
Cash, in the form of a credit card transaction or a personal, foundation or corporate check, is the most popular type of charitable gift that The Heritage Foundation receives. Cash contributions are tax deductible for purposes of income tax.
Automatic Contributions—Heritage Leader’s Club
You can also choose to contribute to Heritage automatically each month or on a quarterly schedule through an electronic funds transfer—in which your contribution is electronically debited from your checking account—or through a charge to your credit card. These funds are deposited directly into The Heritage Foundation’s operating fund, to be put to work immediately.
Securities
Save on both income and capital gains taxes with a gift of securities to The Heritage Foundation.
Transferring securities (stocks or bonds) held long term to The Heritage Foundation allows you to make a gift and receive a charitable deduction equal to the full, fair market value of the securities. You pay no capital gains on your gift and neither does Heritage.
The best method of transferring these assets to Heritage is to contact your broker and electronically transfer the stock from your account to Heritage’s account at SunTrust Bank. Avoid selling the assets and then making a gift of the proceeds, because this will trigger a capital gains liability for you.
In order for Heritage to acknowledge your gift and provide you with an IRS receipt, please take the following steps:
- Call The Heritage Foundation’s Membership Office at 800-546-2843 and let us know that you would like to make a gift of stock.
- Provide your name, your phone number, the name of the stock you are giving and the number of shares (e.g. 20 shares of Microsoft)
- Call your broker with the information below and ask your broker to contact Sun Trust Bank.
| Name |
Sun Trust Bank |
| Contact |
Deborah S. Knight, Relationship Manager
(or)
Ruth Mahoney, Account Manager |
| Address |
1445 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005 |
| Phone |
202-661-0605 |
| Fax |
202-879-6333 |
| Heritage Account |
7040831 |
| DTC Number |
2971 |
Matching Gifts—Double Your Gift to Heritage
Many corporations agree to match the personal charitable donations of their employees with an equal or greater corporate contribution. Businesses also often match the charitable donations made by spouses or those who retired from the company. At no additional cost to you, your contribution can work twice as hard to help The Heritage Foundation fight for an America envisioned by the Founding Fathers.
To initiate a matching gift, complete your company’s matching gift form and send it along with your gift to The Heritage Foundation. Heritage will complete the form, certifying that it has received your gift and that The Heritage Foundation is eligible to receive matching gifts under your company’s guidelines; we then forward the form to your company. After verifying the eligibility of both the donor and The Heritage Foundation, the company sends a check to Heritage.
Each corporate matching program has its own rules. You should check with your employer’s personnel department to see if your gift qualifies for a corporate match. Visit Heritage’s matching gifts page for a list of corporations that regularly match employee gifts.
Back to top
How do endowments work at The Heritage Foundation?
An endowed gift funds all or part of a program or scholar’s work. The initial funding for each of our endowments has come from individuals or institutions who typically designate gifts for a specific policy area. We also maintain a fiscally prudent practice of allocating fifty percent of all estate gifts to a permanent fund. Earnings from these invested assets are used to support our programs.
Currently, Heritage’s endowment investments total approximately $95 million; but that amount also includes operating reserve, building fund and other funds that are not available for current operations. If market losses result in investment returns that are less than planned, it has been Heritage’s policy not to drawdown income in order to keep the corpus of the gift intact.
The Investment Committee of Heritage’s Board of Trustees provides oversight for our investment policy and we employ an independent investment consulting firm to assist in complying with the policy.
Back to top
What are the benefits of endowments?
- Endowments strengthen The Heritage Foundation by providing stability and the ability to plan.
- They continue to grow to offer support to Heritage in perpetuity.
- They create a legacy and offer you the knowledge that an important concern will continue to be addressed well beyond your lifetime.
- They can provide you with tax and estate planning benefits.
Back to top
How can I establish an endowment at Heritage?
You can endow a specific issue, program or fellow in any issue area covered by Heritage.
For more information on establishing an endowment, please contact our membership office at 800-546-2843.
Back to top
Can I provide for Heritage through my will or estate?
Yes. The Heritage Legacy Society is a special group of Heritage Members who have provisions to support Heritage through their estate plans. Gifts to The Heritage
Foundation through your will are totally free of estate tax.
A bequest to Heritage can be a gift of a specific dollar amount, a specific piece of property, a percentage of an estate, or all or part of the residue of an estate.
You can also name Heritage as a contingent beneficiary if someone named in your will is not longer living at the time of your passing. A bequest to Heritage is easy to
arrange and can be made by including the following words in your will:
I give, devise, and bequeath to The Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002
(insert amount of money, percentage of estate, or describe property) to be used for its educational purposes.
Any type of cash, securities, personal property or real estate can be given through a bequest. Heritage can also be named beneficiary of assets which often pass
outside a will, such as IRAs, pension plans, life insurance, or assets held in a trust.
For more information about the Heritage Legacy Society and bequests or other planned gifts including charitable gift annuities and charitable trusts, please call
The Heritage Foundation’s Gift Planning Office at 800-409-2003.
Back to top
Can I designate my gift to a certain program or scholar without making an endowment?
Yes. While most Heritage Members support our work through general support, you may also designate your gift to be used to support the work of a specific program or
scholar at Heritage.
There are a number of options and The Heritage Foundation’s Development professionals are available to work with you and your advisors to find a particular program
or area that you are enthusiastic about. Your inquiries will remain confidential. Please call Heritage’s Membership Office at 800-546-2843.
Back to top
How does The Heritage Foundation remain accountable to its donors?
Each year, The Heritage Foundation is audited by independent auditors. Our annual report is distributed to every member of Heritage’s President’s Club, and our audited financial statements are available through or website or upon request. In addition, all President’s Club donors automatically receive regular reports about our work from Heritage’s President Ed Feulner. Donors who have made designated or endowment gifts also receive regular reports on how these funds have been used.
Finally, all Heritage members can sign up for regular e-mail updates from MyHeritage.org to stay informed about the major issues of the day and The Heritage Foundation’s impact on the debate.
Back to top
I’ve already donated. What else can I do?
We know you are as committed to advancing conservative ideas as we are, so we have constructed a special activist toolkit to get you started.
But it’s also good to be informed. We encourage you to subscribe to our e-mail updates and to browse our issue pages for more information.
Back to top
What are Heritage’s main activities or programs?
The Heritage Foundation is organized around 9 main departments: Communications and Marketing, the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies,
Development Office, Domestic Policy, External Relations, Finance and Operations, Government Relations, Information Technology, and Legal and Judicial Studies.
These departments work to fulfill our mission of educating members of Congress, the administration and the American people on the principles of freedom, opportunity,
prosperity and civil society.
Within these departments, Heritage has a number of programs which address a broad range of issues that may change over time but have at their core a key conservative
principle. These include the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies; the
Center for Data Analysis; the
Asian Studies Center; and the Margaret Thatcher Center for
Freedom among others.
Another project is Heritage’s Internship Program. This program is a key element in our commitment to the next generation. The program educates over 100 college students
each year on conservative principles, and inspires them to bring what they’ve learned back to their schools to influence the debate. Additionally, the program prepares young
people for potential careers in public policy by giving them practical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Back to top
How much of my donation will go towards Heritage’s programs?
Over 80 percent of Heritage’s operating expenses go towards Heritage’s important work in promoting freedom, opportunity, prosperity and civil society.
For more information on how Heritage spends its money,
please browse our annual reports and audits.
Back to top
What programs does Heritage maintain for its younger members?
The Heritage Foundation’s Young President’s Club is for dedicated conservatives under 40 years of age who want to be involved in
today’s political climate. Members receive all the benefits of the full President’s Club. They receive the same reports and books that are hand-delivered to
every member of Congress, and they are personally invited to two meetings in Washington each year. These meetings are an opportunity to meet America’s
leading conservative thinkers and policy-makers, as well as the Heritage experts who are intimately involved in the policy debate.
Back to top |
Send to a Friend |
Increase Font Size