Public policy research: The foundation produces research papers annually, including issue briefs, blog posts, fact sheets, backgrounders, guides, and books addressing a broad range of economic, domestic, foreign, national security, and legal policy issues. The foundation published 33 issue briefs, 66 backgrounders, 20 legal memoranda, 20 factsheets and 27 special reports. The foundation also regularly publishes content across social media platforms as the public has shifted its content and consumption to those channels. The social media footprint grew to 3.3 million total followers, including…
The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation: CEO salary, finances and where donations go
“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.”
Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.
Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated
- Top pay
- $853K Kevin Roberts, 0.6% of spending
- Revenue
- $133.9M 79.2% from donations and grants
- Spent
- $142.2M 82.5% on programs, as reported
- Net assets
- $333.6M end of 2024
- Savings
- 28.1 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
- People
- 557 employees, 15 volunteers
1 thing to look at.
We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.
Business transactions with insiders or their companies
Part IV line 28b answered yes.
Form 990 Part IV, lines 28a–28c; Schedule L Part IVOf each dollar it spent, 82.5¢ went to programs, as reported.
For each dollar donated, The Heritage Foundation spent 19¢ on fundraising, or about 31¢ counting joint costs.
Fundraising ÷ $106.0M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IXWhat it told the IRS it spent on.
The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.
Media, government relations, and outreach: The foundation distributes its research products to members of congress, congressional staff, policymakers in the executive branch of the federal government, state officials, journalists, members of the academic community, other non-profit organizations, the general public, and donors. The foundation conducts hundreds of briefings for domestic and international officials, policymakers, experts, and lawmakers and their staff on issues ranging from federal spending and unfunded liabilities to homeland security, tax, and health policy. In 2024, the…
Net assets: $154.3M to $333.6M in 11 years.
Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2012 to 2024.
The 8 highest-paid people.
Reportable pay in 2024, from the charity and related organizations.
| Contractor | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Dpr Construction | Construction | $8,916,586 |
| Associated Protective Services | Protection & security | $1,513,065 |
| Mds Communications Corporation | Consultants on fundraising | $1,511,048 |
| Oracle America Inc | It services | $1,438,606 |
| Moore Response Management Group | Mailing contact mgmt | $1,302,266 |
The questions people ask about the The Heritage Foundation.
Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.
How much does the The Heritage Foundation CEO make?
Kevin Roberts, President, received $853,213 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.6% of The Heritage Foundation's $142.2M in spending.
Form 990 (2024), Part VIIWhat percentage of The Heritage Foundation donations go to programs?
The Heritage Foundation reported 82.5% of 2024 spending as programs, 14.2% as fundraising and 3.3% as management. That includes $12.2M of joint mail and ad costs counted as programs; without them, programs were 74%.
Form 990 (2024), Part IXHow much money does The Heritage Foundation have?
Net assets were $333.6M at the end of 2024, about 28.1 months of spending.
Form 990 (2024), Part XDoes The Heritage Foundation have any red flags in its filing?
Its latest Form 990 triggered 1 of our twelve screening rules: business transactions with insiders or their companies. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.
Form 990 (2024)Every number, traced.
- The Heritage Foundation Form 990, 2024 (IRS e-file)
- The Heritage Foundation Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Amir Arani, “The Heritage Foundation: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/the-heritage-foundation/