How a Clay County charity spends millions to spread ‘Christ-centered’ education nationwide

The Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation has awarded grants to schools that exclude LGBTQ students and families and paid for creationist science teacher training.
A young but politically connected foundation based in Clay County has become a major player in the effort to promote Christian education in Missouri and the United States — including courting government support for private schools.

With a new headquarters and training center in Smithville, the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation’s stated mission is “to catalyze and accelerate the development of quality Christ-centered K-12 education so that families and culture flourish.”

The foundation has offered grants and training to existing Christian schools and educators, launched a program to assist those starting new Christian schools and promoted state programs that help families fund private school education. A related entity employs a Missouri lawmaker.