Conservative Activist Rufo Named 2025 Bradley Prize Winner

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation on Tuesday announced writer-filmmaker-conservative commentator Christopher F. Rufo as a 2025 Bradley Prize winner. 

Rufo, a senior fellow and director of the initiative on critical race theory at the Manhattan Institute—and former Daily Signal contributor—will receive the award at the Bradley Prizes ceremony on May 29 in Washington, D.C. 

For 21 years, the Bradley Foundation has awarded the prestigious Bradley Prize to individuals whose work demonstrates a commitment “to restore, strengthen, and protect the principles and institutions of American exceptionalism,” according to the foundation’s press release.

This year’s honorees were chosen from a pool of 60 candidates. 

Rick Graber, president and chief executive officer of the Bradley Foundation, praised Rufo’s work, saying, “Chris has galvanized a public understanding of American exceptionalism and defends vigorously the principles that have made America a land of freedom and opportunity.” 

Rufo expressed gratitude for the recognition. “Winning the Bradley Prize is an incredible honor, and I am deeply grateful for this recognition,” he said. “This award reaffirms my commitment to the principles of freedom, equality, and civic engagement—values that have guided my work. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Bradley Foundation for their support and to my colleagues, mentors, and family, whose encouragement has been invaluable.” 

As a contributing editor of City Journal, Rufo writes about a range of topics, such as gender ideology, social decay in America, institutional capture, and critical race theory. According to his Substack, his work revolves around challenging “the left-wing ideological regime that has dominated American life for a generation.” He has influenced modern conservatism and policymakers through his research, articles, and New York Times bestselling book, “America’s Cultural Revolution.” 

Beyond his writing, Rufo has directed four documentaries for PBS, Netflix, and international television. His documentary “America Lost” explores the story of three overlooked American cities. 

The Bradley Foundation, founded in 1985 and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a private grantmaking organization and think tank that supports American conservative principles, such as strong communities and families. It was started to further the philosophy of the Bradley brothers, entrepreneurs who started the Allen-Bradley Co. in 1903.