World Monuments Fund (WMF) has announced the launch of the Suzanne Deal Booth Institute for Heritage Preservation, backed by $19 million in funding as part of its $60 million endowment campaign marking the organization's 60th anniversary. The institute is established through a $10 million endowment gift from philanthropist and ARTnews Top 200 collector Suzanne Deal Booth, with additional support from the Gerard B. Lambert Foundation, Denise Littlefield Sobel, and Virginia James. The institute will serve as a global hub for research, training, and innovation in heritage preservation, focusing on greenspace stewardship, digital preservation, and workforce development, including programs like the Greenspace Heritage Training initiative and Bridge to Crafts Careers.
This initiative matters because it represents one of the most ambitious efforts in WMF's history, with 75 percent of its $60 million campaign goal already secured. By investing in advanced training, academic partnerships, and digital access, the institute aims to equip heritage professionals worldwide with the tools needed to protect significant cultural sites, particularly addressing challenges like climate change affecting historic gardens and landscapes. The launch underscores a growing trend of major philanthropic investment in heritage preservation, positioning WMF to expand its global impact in safeguarding cultural heritage.