WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Heritage Foundation today announced one of the largest gifts in the think tank’s 45-year history: a $43 million bequest from the estate of Judge Allison and Dorothy Rouse.

“We are grateful beyond words for the Rouse family’s commitment to our vision of freedom, opportunity and prosperity for all,” said Heritage President Kay Coles James.

“We are moved by their display of trust that Heritage will work unfailingly to promote the conservative principles and policies best calculated to make that vision a reality,” James said, adding, “We will not let them down.”

A former associate justice of the California Court of Appeal, Allison Rouse passed away in 2008. Dorothy Rouse, an attorney who spent most of her career with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office, died this May. The two met while students at the University of San Francisco and were married for more than 50 years.

The Rouses joined The Heritage Foundation in 1996 and remained donors for the next 21 years.

With hundreds of thousands of donors, The Heritage Foundation is the nation’s most broadly supported public policy research institute. Founded in 1973, it develops and promotes policy solutions that advance free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional values and a strong national defense.

 

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