Overview
- Edwin J. Feulner Jr. died on July 18 at 83, prompting reflection on his more than 50-year impact on conservative policymaking.
- He co-founded the Heritage Foundation in 1973 and as president grew it from nine staffers to 300 employees, half a million supporters and a nine-figure budget.
- He pioneered the “briefcase test,” producing concise policy reports such as the 1980 Mandate for Leadership that underpinned Ronald Reagan’s agenda.
- His fusionist vision united foreign-policy hawks, Christians, classical liberals, nationalists and strict constitutionalists while his mentorship forged generations of conservative leaders.
- Under President Kevin Roberts, Heritage has embraced MAGA isolationism and tariff advocacy even as the organization pledges to advance Feulner’s policy framework through Project 2025.