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FAQs about Heritage

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.

What candidates does Heritage support?

The Heritage Foundation does not have a position on any election—save that candidates and citizens alike should keep conservative principles in mind as the election season continues. No matter who secures the Democratic and Republican Party nominations, we will work with them to explain our positions and promote our shared values.

Fundamentally, Heritage is an idea factory, not a political organization. Our goal is not short-term electoral gain (or electoral defeat) for one party or candidate. Instead, our challenge is more profound. We seek to reshape the entire national debate along conservative lines, to advance the core principles of the Founding Fathers: free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values and a strong national defense.

If we are to accomplish this mission, we have to be an honest broker of ideas and present our proposals to all who will listen—regardless of whether they have a D, an R or an I after their name. To that end, our policy experts offer briefings on today’s most important issues to candidates of all parties, and we work with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to spread our message. This strategy has paid dividends: many of our greatest successes—from welfare reform to tax cuts—have come from work with allies across the ideological spectrum.

In addition, we’re limited in our activity by law. If we’re to retain our status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization—which allows you to deduct your membership dues from your taxes, for example—we cannot involve ourselves with partisan politics or electioneering.

What are Heritage’s key accomplishments?

The Heritage Foundation has worked for more than 35 years to advance conservative ideas in Washington and around the nation. On issues from missile defense to tax cuts to welfare reform to immigration, The Heritage Foundation has continued to make a real difference in America.

Read a full list of Heritage’s achievements

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. Scaife is a Heritage Trustee.

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 (map):

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.

How does The Heritage Foundation receive its funding?

With 454,000 members, The Heritage Foundation is the most broadly supported think tank in America. Approximately 58% of contributions come from individuals, 37% from foundations, and 5% 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 $46 million in 2007. We received another $5 million in temporarily restricted contributions, $17 million in investment income and $1 million from building rental income and publication sales.