The guardians of the world's historic places just tripled their endowment — $62 million, 18 months early

The World Monuments Fund, the New York-based organisation that helps protect historic places around the world, has raised $62 million for its endowment — finishing 18 months ahead of schedule and tripling its net assets, which are now expected to pass $100 million by 2028. A $20 million matching challenge from the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust powered the drive, promising 50 cents for every dollar raised, and philanthropist Suzanne Deal Booth gave $10 million toward a new institute for heritage preservation that bears her name. Since 1965 the Fund has worked on more than 700 sites in 114 countries, from conserving ancient buildings to training local craftspeople and helping communities protect landmarks after disasters. The bigger endowment is meant to give that work a steadier footing: money for conservation training, research, and rapid help when heritage is threatened by conflict, climate change, or natural disaster.

SDG 11 · Sustainable cities and communities — Mechanism: funding & finance