Family of Former Swiss Ambassador Gives $26-Million to Heritage Foundation

How much: $26-million

Who got it: The Heritage Foundation, a public-policy think tank in Washington

Who gave it: The family of Shelby Cullom Davis. Mr. Davis, a former ambassador to Switzerland, was a banker who invested in Japanese insurance companies during the 1950s.

Where the money will go: To support the organization’s Institute for International Studies, which will now be named after the Davis family

Donor’s connection to the beneficiary: Mr. Davis, who died in 1994, was a trustee of the Heritage Foundation from 1979 to 1992 and chairman for seven of those years.

How the gift came about: Abby Moffat, a granddaughter of Mr. Davis, says the idea was sparked by talks with Edwin Feulner, the founder of Heritage who stepped down as president in April.

Why they gave: “Heritage is proactive, following what my grandfather would want, following traditional American principles: free market, recognizing our security,” Ms. Moffat says. “We believe in their long-range research as well as their ability to be nimble with Congressional committees and weighing in on current issues such as Syria.”