Faith Group Wins Innovation Prize for America’s 250th Celebration

Ahead of America’s 250th anniversary next year, the Herzog Foundation Institute has developed a project to reinvigorate patriotism and educate people on the nation’s founding principles and values. 

The foundation, a nonprofit focused on the development of Christian K-12 education, won a $50,000 Innovation Prize from The Heritage Foundation in June for its project called The Freedom Tour. It is a three-week celebration that will include visits to the original 13 colonies and feature family entertainment, music, and “rally-style battlefield birthday parties,” according to a press release from Heritage. 

At the award ceremony, Bridgett Wagner, executive director of the Edwin J. Feulner Institute, explained the details and goals of The Freedom Tour: 

“The tour will stream on social media platforms, showcase student art and writing on the founding and feature teacher trainings on how to pass on our founding values,” Wagner said. 

“Participants will leave [the tour] with a heightened sense of gratitude, responsibility, and hope ready to carry the torch of freedom,” added Wagner. 

Herzog Foundation Institute director Sadie Elliott, who received the award on behalf of the organization, said the tour will highlight the role of faith in America’s founding and future. She hopes The Freedom Tour will “revive a sense of American patriotism to move faith and freedom forward.” 

Darrell Jones, president of the Herzog Foundation Institute, said, “[W]e 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,” Jones stated. The tour will begin mid-June 2026 and end on July 3, 2026. 

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

Applications are currently open through Sept. 2 for a second round of prizes.

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