Key Takeaways
- • The World Monuments Fund raised $62 million for its endowment, beating its fundraising target 18 months ahead of schedule, according to ARTnews.
- • The campaign tripled WMF's endowment net assets, which are expected to pass $100 million by 2028.
- • A $20 million matching challenge from the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust, matching 50 cents per dollar up to $40 million in donations, anchored the drive launched less than a year ago as part of WMF's 60th anniversary.
- • The Suzanne Deal Booth Institute for Heritage Preservation secured $21 million in endowed funds to expand conservation training, research, and professional development.
- • WMF, founded in 1965 and active in more than 700 sites across 114 countries, begins a new five-year strategic plan focused on international reach.
Summary
The World Monuments Fund, a New York-based preservation organization, has raised $62 million for its endowment, reaching its fundraising target 18 months ahead of schedule. The campaign, announced on a Wednesday, has tripled the organization's endowment net assets, which are expected to surpass $100 million by 2028. The endowment will support conservation training, emergency efforts to protect cultural heritage threatened by war, climate change and natural disasters, and other preservation work.
The drive was launched publicly less than a year ago as part of WMF's 60th anniversary celebrations and was built around a $20 million matching challenge from the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust. The trust pledged to match 50 cents for every dollar raised, up to $40 million in donations. Notable contributors included philanthropist Suzanne Deal Booth, who gave $10 million toward a new institute for heritage preservation bearing her name, and Virginia James, whose contribution falls between $5 million and $10 million. Other donors included Susan de Menil, Stephen Lash, Annabelle Selldorf and Christian Louboutin.
The Suzanne Deal Booth Institute for Heritage Preservation has secured $21 million in endowed funds to expand conservation training, research and professional development. The Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust contributed $1 million to WMF's Crisis Response Program, which helps protect cultural heritage after war and natural disasters. WMF has also raised $4 million for field preservation projects and established a $2 million endowed fund supporting the World Monuments Watch, its biennial program identifying cultural heritage sites facing serious threats.
WMF president and CEO Bénédicte de Montlaur said in a statement: "Cultural heritage is being lost to conflict, climate change, neglect, and urbanization faster than the world can respond. This campaign gives WMF the long-term resources to act with greater urgency and ambition." The fundraising comes as WMF begins a new five-year strategic plan aimed at expanding its international reach and elevating historic preservation as a global priority. Founded in 1965, the organization has worked to preserve more than 700 sites in 114 countries.
The drive was launched publicly less than a year ago as part of WMF's 60th anniversary celebrations and was built around a $20 million matching challenge from the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust. The trust pledged to match 50 cents for every dollar raised, up to $40 million in donations. Notable contributors included philanthropist Suzanne Deal Booth, who gave $10 million toward a new institute for heritage preservation bearing her name, and Virginia James, whose contribution falls between $5 million and $10 million. Other donors included Susan de Menil, Stephen Lash, Annabelle Selldorf and Christian Louboutin.
The Suzanne Deal Booth Institute for Heritage Preservation has secured $21 million in endowed funds to expand conservation training, research and professional development. The Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust contributed $1 million to WMF's Crisis Response Program, which helps protect cultural heritage after war and natural disasters. WMF has also raised $4 million for field preservation projects and established a $2 million endowed fund supporting the World Monuments Watch, its biennial program identifying cultural heritage sites facing serious threats.
WMF president and CEO Bénédicte de Montlaur said in a statement: "Cultural heritage is being lost to conflict, climate change, neglect, and urbanization faster than the world can respond. This campaign gives WMF the long-term resources to act with greater urgency and ambition." The fundraising comes as WMF begins a new five-year strategic plan aimed at expanding its international reach and elevating historic preservation as a global priority. Founded in 1965, the organization has worked to preserve more than 700 sites in 114 countries.
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