Catholic Nonprofit Develops Resources to Inspire Patriotism

Sophia Institute for Teachers, a Catholic publishing house, is developing resource kits to help Catholic schools and parishes reinvigorate patriotism by exploring the Declaration of Independence ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. The kits are designed for all grade levels, from elementary through high school. 

The nonprofit won a $50,000 America’s 250th Innovation Prize from The Heritage Foundation for its project “Fostering Virtuous Patriotism: Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in Catholic Schools.” 

The project includes interactive activities, lesson plans, and guides for family discussions that examine founding principles such as courage, equality, and justice, according to the Sophia Institute. 

“In an age of decreased civic literacy among students, the Sophia Institute addresses the need by providing tailored resources to ignite patriotism within our Catholic schools,” said Bridgett Wagner, executive director of Heritage’s Edwin J. Feulner Institute, at the award ceremony. 

Sophia Institute President Charlie McKinney said, “[W]e’re deeply excited to now be focusing on a new curriculum that helps young people understand the moral ideas and the ideals and the virtues that underpin our founding documents.”  

“I haven’t seen our team as excited about a curriculum project as I have on this, so we’re deeply grateful [for the prize],” McKinney added. 

Heritage awarded a total of five America’s 250th Innovation Prizes. In addition to the Sophia Institute, other recipients included Cana Academy, Emergent Order Foundation, Herzog Foundation Institute, and Matthew Mehan of Hillsdale College. 

Heritage has since announced a second round of the America’s 250th Innovation Prizes because of the success of the first round. Applications for the second round are due by Sept. 2.

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