WASHINGTON — The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, stepped up efforts to boost its Project 2025 initiative by ramping up grants to the venture aimed at creating a “government-in-waiting” for the next Republican presidential administration, according to a new tax filing.

Earlier this year, Heritage scored a top aide from the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit group closely tied to Trump that is also preparing to staff a future GOP administration.

In a statement to NBC News, Heritage Foundation Chief Advancement Officer Andy Olivastro said spending by the organization is focused on building the conservative movement through a range of investments.

Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, warned that Project 2025 threatens to empower an executive branch set on weaponizing its powers against its political enemies, while dismantling core government accountability functions, with the Heritage Foundation and DonorsTrust enabling its efforts.

Aides to Trump’s campaign issued a statement this week appearing to distance him from outside groups aimed at shaping a presidential transition, which have garnered outsize interest as the former president leads the GOP primary by double digits in polls.

Still, Trump faces a series of legal battles as he heads into next year’s primary season, with a packed schedule that pits the start of the trial in his election interference case up against Super Tuesday.

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