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America’s 250th Innovation Prizes
Financially supporting innovative projects and programs
that prepare the American public to celebrate our nation’s Semiquincentennial
by elevating our founding principles, educating our citizens, and inspiring patriotism.
As the nation’s Semiquincentennial approaches, The Heritage Foundation is launching a special round of the Innovation Prizes in 2025 to support and encourage national, state, and local non-profits to develop projects that will educate our citizens, rekindle in them a love of country, and have a lasting cultural impact on the rising generation.
Why the America’s 250th Prize Round?
A survey of 2,000 registered voters in 2024 found that 70% failed a basic civic literacy quiz. Half didn't know how bills became laws. A third couldn't name the three branches of government. How many, then, could explain why America is an exceptional nation founded on a Declaration of unalienable rights, a Constitution of limited government powers, and a Bill of Rights protecting free speech, religious liberty, and the right to assembly? A nation ignorant of its history and lacking an appreciation of why America is an exceptional nation is unlikely to have the strength and resolve to fight attacks from its enemies, foreign or domestic.
For more than 50 years, The Heritage Foundation has made it part of its mission to educate the public about the basic tenets of our government, the timeless principles upon which it is based, and the need to preserve and protect this unique experiment in self-governance. The Heritage Foundation established the Innovation Prizes in 2022 to recognize and advance innovative projects, strategies, and policy solutions of organizations that are seeking to ensure the future of American self-governance.
To further this aim, Heritage is launching a special round of the Innovation Prizes ahead of America’s 250th anniversary to recognize and provide substantive financial awards that, in total, amount to $250,000 to non-profits for projects focused on themes relating to the Semiquincentennial.
As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, we face a unique opportunity to elevate our founding principles, relate current policy debates back to the vision of our founders, and foster a deep love of country in a new generation. Participating in the preparations for the 250th anniversary will encourage Americans to actively engage in civic life.
Guidelines and Process
GUIDELINES
Applicants should be a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing. New or existing groups, and those operating at the state or national level, are encouraged to apply, provided that they are requesting support for an innovative project that prepares us to celebrate America’s 250th. Only applications that are project-specific, rather than general operating support, will be considered.
We invite all projects that seek to accomplish one or more of the following to apply:
- Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary
- Build civic awareness and encouraging Americans to engage in civic life
- Inspire patriotism
- Educate citizens about America’s founding principles
- Teach Americans about our government’s foundational tenets
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted starting on Friday, January 31, 2025, and will close Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Prior to submitting a full application, we encourage you to reach out to see if your project and organization would be a good fit for the America’s 250th Innovation Prize. Feel free to email us a brief project description, and if the project falls within the guidelines and objectives of this round, you will be notified and encouraged to apply.
Email inquiries can be sent to [email protected], and we will follow up with you.
Applicants will be required to provide the following:
- A description of the project or program, its objectives, desired outcome, and timetable
- A project budget, specific request for an award amount, and supporting documentation
- A list of the participants in the project and their qualifications
- A description of the organization, list of the board of directors, the total operating budget for the current fiscal year, and annual report
- Copy of the IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status
- Copy of the most recent IRS form 990
Additional information may be requested if needed for further evaluation.
FAQS
I’D LIKE TO APPLY FOR AN AMERICA’S 250TH INNOVATION PRIZE. WHERE DO I START?
Prior to submitting a full application, we encourage you to reach out to see if your project would be a good fit for the America’s 250th Innovation Prize. Feel free to email us a brief project description, and if the project falls within the guidelines and objectives, you will be notified and encouraged to submit an application. Email inquiries can be sent to [email protected], and we will follow up with you.
WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR THE AMERICA’S 250TH INNOVATION PRIZES?
The America’s 250th Innovation Prizes are intended for national, state, and local non-profits in the sectors of philanthropy, civic education, higher education, and media, think tanks, museums, and historic sites.
Projects can encompass educational initiatives, cultural events, public forums, exhibitions, books, and films.
I AM A SCHOLAR CONDUCTING ACADEMIC WORK RELATED TO THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL. CAN I APPLY FOR THE AMERICA 250TH INNOVATION PRIZE ROUND?
We encourage current faculty members whose scholarship is relevant to America’s 250th anniversary to apply for The Heritage Foundation’s Academic Prizes, which will be open from December 16 to March 3, will include a category for academic work specific to America’s 250th anniversary.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE REGULAR INNOVATION PRIZES?
For more information on the Innovation Prizes, please visit the Innovation Prizes website.
IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE?
No, there is no fee.
CAN A NEW NON-PROFIT APPLY FOR CONSIDERATION?
Yes. There is no requirement regarding the age of the institution.
DOES THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION EXPECT TO INFLUENCE THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF MY ORGANIZATION IN RETURN FOR THE PRIZE?
No, but it is anticipated that Heritage will help to publicize the awarded project, and prize recipients may collaborate with Heritage and other groups in their efforts.
HOW WILL THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION ADMINISTER THE PRIZE PROCESS?
Applicants will be notified that their application has been received, and applicants may be asked to answer further questions or take part in a more detailed discussion of your project.
HOW WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?
Prize winners will be notified by The Heritage Foundation privately, followed by a public announcement in summer 2025. This timeline will allow the organizations awarded a full year before the Semiquincentennial to expand their proposed projects.
WHAT REPORTING WILL BE REQUIRED?
A report detailing the impact of the project will be requested at the completion of the project.
CAN AN ORGANIZATION SUBMIT MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS FOR DIFFERENT INITIATIVES?
Yes.
CAN A PAST INNOVATION PRIZE RECIPIENT APPLY FOR AN AMERICA’S 250TH INNOVATION PRIZE?
Yes.
WHAT IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Questions and letters of inquiry may be sent to [email protected].
