Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a renowned center for right-wing studies. Its mission is to formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and strong national defense. It is widely recognized as one of the most influential public policy research institutes in the world and enjoyed particular prominence during the Reagan administration. Its initial funding was provided by Joseph Coors, of the Coors brewing empire, and Richard Mellon Scaife, heir to Mellon's industrial and banking fortune.
Its founders include Paul Weyrich and Mickey Edwards. The Heritage Foundation has long been a leader in celebrating Western heritage. To honor those who have made significant contributions to this legacy, they host the Western Heritage Awards. This gala event recognizes individuals who have shared the great stories of the American West through literature, music, television and film.
Famous presenters are invited to present awards to those admitted into the Hall of Great Artists of the West and the Hall of Great Westerners, as well as to present the Chester A. Wade Award. In addition to celebrating Western heritage, The Heritage Foundation also hosts events related to its mission of promoting public policies based on conservative principles. For example, they released a report following a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas that stated “The unnecessary tragedy that took place in Uvalde, Texas cannot and will not be included in a convenient political narrative”.
They also released a report entitled Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Laws (SOGI) are not fair to all which argued that SOGI laws are intended to compel all Americans to adopt (and live) certain beliefs about human sexuality. The Foundation has also provided funding to the National Policy Council and many of its employees are members. Jason Snead, a former Heritage Foundation staff member who created the Heritage voter fraud database was quoted as saying: “The purpose behind it” was to ensure the integrity of elections they administer in their home states. Foreign policy analysts at the Heritage Foundation also defended the Reagan Doctrine in Washington.
The Wall Street Journal credited Michael Needham, of Heritage Action, with playing an important role in closing down a Texas senator's campaign. The Heritage Foundation has also received funding from Donors Trust and Donors Capital Fund. In response to accusations that it received money from Korean intelligence, officials at Heritage categorically denied it. In recent years, senators have denounced climate change denial by 32 organizations linked to interests related to fossil fuels, including the Heritage Foundation.
Thanks to generous sponsorship support from winners and their families, tickets for the Western Heritage Awards ceremony on Saturday April 15th sold out quickly. Heritage replaced James with Kevin Roberts, former leader of the Texas Public Policy Foundation whose objectives align more closely with Trump supporters. The Heritage Foundation continues to host events for its members and supporters that celebrate Western heritage while promoting public policies based on conservative principles.
