Heritage Foundation Spins Off New Advocacy Group

The Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research group, will create a new 501(c)(4) advocacy organization to be called Heritage Action for America. It will promote legislation and pressure Congress, drawing on the foundation’s research and mobilizing support from Heritage’s 600,000 donor members. Heritage Action will not endorse candidates. Heritage Action will be led by Michael Needham, a former chief of staff to Heritage president Ed Feulner and former adviser to Sen. Jim DeMint.

The Heritage Foundation says it has a staff of 255 and an expense budget of $75 million. The Washington Post reports that Heritage Action for America will employ 8-12 staff in offices separate from the Foundation and will have an initial $1 million budget.