America’s 250th Innovation Prizes

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America’s 250th Innovation Prizes

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.

This prize opportunity has concluded. Please see below for more information on the prize program and winners.

As the nation’s Semiquincentennial approaches, The Heritage Foundation launched a special round of the Innovation Prizes in 2025 to support and encourage national, state, and local non-profits to develop new, creative 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. 

It’s not hard to see why our country is so divided or why Americans, particularly younger Americans, have lost faith in our institutions when we consider the state of civics and history education. 

This 250th anniversary gives us a special opportunity to reclaim our history, our schools, our churches, and our monuments, and in the process, build our future. 

To further this aim, Heritage opened the first two rounds of America’s 250th Innovation Prizes, a special project of the Innovation Prizes, which were awarded in June 2025 and October 2025.

These prizes recognize and provide substantive financial awards that, in total, amount to $250,000 per round to non-profits for projects focused on preparing for the Semiquincentennial.  

Prizes are awarded to innovative projects that seek to accomplish one or more of the following:

  • Build civic awareness and encourage Americans to engage in civic life
  • Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary
  • Educate citizens about America’s founding principles
  • Inspire patriotism, particularly among the younger generations
  • Share our history and founders’ stories in creative ways
  • Teach Americans about our government’s foundational tenets

Winning projects can include:

  • Cultural events or event series
  • Educational initiatives for K-12 and post-secondary students and teachers
  • Exhibitions
  • Media projects (e.g., films, books, podcasts)
  • Public forums

AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY PRIZE ROUND 1 WINNERS

The Heritage Foundation awarded the first round of prizes to five winners, totaling $250,000 in June 2025. These organizations developed projects that share our history and the founders’ stories in creative ways, educate American citizens about our founding principles, and inspire patriotism in the next generation. 

Read the press release here.

AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY PRIZE ROUND 2 WINNERS

The Heritage Foundation awarded the second round of prizes totaling $250,000 to five winners in October 2025. These organizations developed projects that strengthen the understanding of our Constitution and fundamental laws and promote patriotism and celebrate American history through storytelling.

Read the press release here.

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