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Research and Public Policy : Social and Public Policy Research

The Heritage Foundation

Leadership for America

three stars

86.19

214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002
tel: (800) 546-2843   Web Site
EIN: 23-7327730

Board Leadership
Thomas A. Saunders III
Chair

CEO
Kay Coles James
President

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 86.19 three stars
  Financial 80.71 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 97.00 four stars
This rating was published 04/01/2019 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution-a think tank-whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. We believe the principles and ideas of the American Founding are worth conserving and renewing. As policy entrepreneurs, we believe the most effective solutions are consistent with those ideas and principles. Our vision is to build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.

Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution-a think tank-whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. We believe the principles and ideas of the American Founding are worth conserving and renewing. As policy entrepreneurs, we believe the most effective solutions are consistent with those ideas and principles. Our vision is to build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

80.71

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

97.00

This rating was published 04/01/2019 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 77.8%
  Administrative Expenses 2.7%
  Fundraising Expenses 19.4%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.19
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.13
  Program Expenses Growth 1.8%
  Liabilities to Assets 15.8%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by The Heritage Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by The Heritage Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
The Heritage Foundation (DC) 86.19 three stars
Pioneer Institute (MA) 91.51 four stars
Institute for Policy Studies (DC) 94.21 four stars
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies (DC) 92.22 four stars
Mercatus Center (VA) 88.81 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $76,582,930
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $76,582,930
   Program Service Revenue $637,023
Total Primary Revenue $77,219,953
   Other Revenue $4,974,959
TOTAL REVENUE $82,194,912
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $64,992,709
   Administrative Expenses $1,688,134
   Fundraising Expenses $18,746,355
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $85,427,198
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-3,232,286
   
Net Assets $265,797,554

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Educational Programs $29,657,028 45.6%
Public Policy Research $25,500,291 39.2%
Media and Government Relations $9,835,390 15.1%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-12 04/01/2019 86.19 three stars
2016-12 03/01/2018 85.16 three stars
2015-12 02/01/2017 84.67 three stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 83.19 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 11/01/2015 79.53 two stars
2013-12 06/01/2015 80.25 three stars
2012-12 03/01/2014 83.88 three stars
2011-12 02/01/2013 81.72 three stars
2010-12 12/01/2011 90.96 four stars
2009-12 09/20/2011 89.97 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 05/01/2011 87.67 three stars
2008-12 06/01/2010 90.42 four stars
2007-12 07/01/2009 88.29 three stars
2006-12 02/01/2008 88.24 three stars
2004-12 12/01/2005 83.26 three stars
2003-12 10/01/2004 81.59 three stars
2002-12 12/01/2003 86.12 three stars
2001-12 10/15/2002 73.45 two stars
2000-12 04/15/2002 73.16 two stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 23-7327730
Name in IRS Master File HERITAGE FOUNDATION
NTEE Code W05
NTEE Classification Research Institutes and/or Public Policy Analysis
NTEE Type Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other
Classification Educational Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (161) Scientific research (diseases)
(180) Contact or sponsored scientific research for industry
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date November, 1973
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
  • December, 2012

The data displayed in this profile is provided by the IRS for free in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$1,396,981 1.63% James W. Demint President
Other Salaries of Note
$595,891 0.69% Edwin J. Feulner Former President

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
The Heritage Foundation (DC) 86.19 three stars
Alliance for Aging Research (DC) 89.35 three stars
Middle East Forum (PA) 88.61 three stars
Center for Public Integrity (DC) 89.11 three stars
Constitutional Accountability Center (DC) 91.86 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

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Charity Contact Info

The Heritage Foundation
214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
tel: (800) 546-2843
fax: (202) 546-8328
EIN: 23-7327730

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Thomas A. Saunders III
Chair

CEO

Kay Coles James
President

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