The Heritage Foundation was founded in 1973 with the financial support of Joseph Coors (Coors breweries) and later Richard Mellon Scaife.
It is a think-tank, and does not officially lobby.
The foundation advocates “conservative” values, mainly free enterprise and strong defense. It has an interest in a wide range of issues, political as well as social.
It publishes papers, organizes conferences, and on a regular basis provides “analysts” to the media. One of its main achievements has been to associate corporate interests with “American values”, not only in the mind of the politicians, but also with the general public.
Its funding comes mainly from corporations and wealthy individuals with a strong interest in government deregulation and business-friendly tax laws.
Below are links to information on the foundation and its activities, current president Edwin Feulner, main financial backer Richard Mellon Scaife, and Edwin Fulner’s for-profit venture Belle Haven Consultants.
The Mediatransparency article lists the major donors to the heritage Foundation.
Many of these donors also help fund other major corporate-friendly organizations.
Wikipedia: The Heritage Foundation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_Foundation
Sourcewatch: The Heritage Foundation.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Heritage_Foundation
Rightweb: The Heritage Foundation.
http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1477
Mediatransparency: List of Heritage foundation major donors.
http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientgrants.php?recipientID=153
NNDB: List of Heritage Foundation members.
http://www.nndb.com/org/489/000049342/
Exxonsecrets.org: The Heritage Foundatiion has received $585,000 since 1998.
http://www.exxonsecrets.org/html/orgfactsheet.php?id=42
Wikipedia: Edwin Feulner.
Edwin Feulner has been the president of the heritage Foundation since 1977.
He was also the President of the Mont Pelerin Society and a member of the National Council for Policy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Feulner
Wikipedia: Richard Mellon Scaife.
Richard Mellon Scaife inherited money from the Mellon banking, oil and aluminum fortune.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Mellon_Scaife
Malaysia-today.
An interesting article on the dealings of Edwin Feulner and the Heritage foundation in Asia through Belle Haven Consultants.
http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2005/04/hk-conduit-for-cash-clout.htm
Sourcewatch: Belle Haven Consultants.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Belle_Haven_Consultants
Wikipedia: Belle Haven Consultants.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Haven_Consultants