Herzog Foundation Awarded National Innovation Prize by Heritage Foundation for America’s 250th Celebration
Photo credit: Erin Granzow
The Herzog Foundation is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of America’s 250th Innovation Prize, awarded by The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, June 24. The award recognizes the Herzog Foundation’s Freedom Tour, a 3-week celebration that will last from mid-June to July 3, 2026, visiting all 13 original colonies. The Tour will include rally-style birthday parties held on historic battlefields, live music, family-friendly entertainment, and immersive storytelling that highlights the role of faith in America’s founding.
“We’re honored to be a recipient of America’s 250th Innovation Prize from The Heritage Foundation,” said Herzog Foundation President Darrell Jones. “We believe there’s no better way to celebrate our nation’s birthday than by taking the values that built America – faith, freedom, and family – on the road. The Freedom Tour is all about bringing communities together, reminding us of what we share, and inspiring the next generation to carry the torch. We’re grateful for this recognition and can’t wait to get started.”
Herzog Foundation Institute Director Sadie Elliott accepted the $50,000 prize on behalf of the Foundation.
“What an incredible milestone for this great American experience of ours and what a great time to be alive,” Elliott said. “Stan Herzog, our founder, was a successful businessman and entrepreneur only because of the opportunity afforded to him in this nation. He was also a father, grandfather, philanthropist, Christian, and proud American who believed a return to our founding ideals is what will move this country forward. The Freedom Tour will honor that legacy.”
The Heritage Foundation’s Bridgett Wagner, who presented the awards, highlighted the tour’s innovative approach: “The Freedom Tour will feature rally-style battlefield birthday parties, music, and family entertainment to inspire patriotism and family values. Events will be livestreamed on social media and include opportunities for teacher training.”
Heritage Foundation President Dr. Kevin Roberts emphasized the broader impact of the award recipients during this historic moment: “On the cusp of our 250th anniversary, the conservative movement is not just celebrating our founding – we’re reclaiming our future. The winners of this special round of Innovation Prizes are builders of that future. Together, we can reignite the flame of patriotism that gave life to our great country.”
In addition to the Herzog Foundation, Innovation Prizes were awarded to Cana Academy, Emergent Order Foundation, the Sophia Institute, and Hillsdale College professor Matthew Mehan.
The Herzog Foundation remains committed to honoring the legacy of Stan Herzog and strengthening Christian education nationwide. The Freedom Tour is the Foundation’s latest effort to educate, inspire, and unite Americans through the enduring values that shaped the United States of America. In addition to the Tour, the Herzog Foundation will release weekly American history videos every Friday leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more and subscribe here.
About the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation
The Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation is a charitable foundation dedicated to catalyzing and accelerating the development of quality Christ-centered K-12 education so that families and cultures flourish.
Learn more at HerzogFoundation.com.