World Monuments Fund Preserving Cultural Heritage

Goal

Historic buildings, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes connect us to our shared history. Yet these irreplaceable places face growing threats from climate change, natural disasters, conflict, urban development, lack of funding, and neglect. Without sustained investment, many of the world’s most important cultural landmarks risk being lost forever.

For more than 60 years, World Monuments Fund (WMF) has worked to safeguard cultural heritage while strengthening the communities that depend on these sites for their identity, resilience, and economic opportunity.

Headquartered in New York City and with offices in Cambodia, China, France, India, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom, its team of experts have preserved more than 700 sites in 113 countries.

Award

CORA Foundation first partnered with WMF many years ago in Haiti; then, in celebration of WMF’s 60-year milestone, CORA reengaged with the organization to support its growth under new leadership and an increasing number of complex conservation schemes worldwide. CORA’s recent gifts particularly support projects in the Paris region of France.

Funding has contributed to preserving stories, supporting local communities, promoting sustainable tourism, strengthening cultural identity, as well as ensuring that future generations can engage with heritage in novel ways. CORA’s unrestricted support allows WMF to act quickly in response to emerging challenges while investing in long-term preservation.

Rationale

The work that WMF does aligns closely with CORA’s mission, and helps to deliver lasting impact by protecting endangered monuments and historic sites, responding to urgent threats caused by climate change, conflict, and natural disasters, building international awareness of the importance of cultural preservation and supporting local experts and conservation professionals.

Together, we can ensure that the world’s most treasured places continue to educate, inspire, and connect people across cultures for generations to come.