The Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation in Smithville, Missouri, is leveraging its founder’s $325 million bequest—and political connections—to bolster the school-choice movement across the state, the Missouri Independent reports.

The foundation, formed in 2019 at the time of Herzog’s death to “catalyze and accelerate the development of quality Christ-centered K-12 education,” supports school-choice efforts across the country, holds workshops, and funds Christian school-building projects. The foundation, with assets of $364 million in 2021, is intended to spend down within 20 years.

According to the Independent, Herzog’s political largesse bankrolled a generation of conservative candidates and causes in Missouri through a constellation of political action committees and nonprofits. The foundation’s board includes former leaders of the Missouri Republican Party as well as former state elected officials.

In addition, a subsidiary, the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation—with the registered business name American Christian Education Alliance—was established in 2021 to participate in a state tax credit program to distribute tax dollars to help low-income and disabled students attend private schools. According to the Independent, as of March the subsidiary had raised $3.1 million from 165 donors and distributed 45 percent of the scholarships statewide—81 percent of them to religious-affiliated schools.

“Herzog and other groups like Herzog have made it their goal to funnel money from taxpayers to private institutions,” state representative Maggie Nurrenbern told the Independent. “We’re going to continue to see more legislation pushed by groups like Herzog to dismantle public schools as we know them.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/LL Howard)