by Thomas E. Moore, III, Executive Director
American Friends of the Louvre

When I became Executive Director of the American Friends of the Louvre in 2023, I knew I wanted to grow our fundraising, broaden our membership, and strengthen our support for one of the world’s great museums. But I had another ambition, one that is harder to capture in an annual report: I wanted people to feel that they belonged to something.

I have spent much of my life around cultural institutions, first as a supporter and trustee and now as an executive director. Those lived experiences have convinced me that fundraising is not principally about asking for money. It is about understanding people, earning their trust, and bringing them together around a shared purpose.

People Give to People

We hear this phrase often in our profession because it is true. A compelling mission opens the door, but relationships are what sustain commitment. A donor may be drawn to the Louvre by a particular painting, an interest in history, or a belief in preserving cultural heritage. My job is to listen closely enough to understand what that connection means to them.

Not every conversation needs to end with an ask. Some of my most valuable conversations have taken place over dinner, while traveling, or simply while catching up with someone about their family. Those moments are not a distraction from development work. They are the work.

Of course, there must be discipline behind the warmth: clear priorities, thoughtful stewardship, and an honest account of what a gift can accomplish. Trust grows when enthusiasm is matched by follow-through. If we say we will do something g, we have to do it.

Build Community, Not Just a Donor List

One of the things I am proudest of at the American Friends of the Louvre is the sense of community that has developed among our members. They come from different generations, professions, pedigrees, and cities. Through travel, our gala, programs, and experiences at the museum, many have formed friendships that continue well beyond our events.

On a recent trip to Greece, I was reminded how powerful this can be. Of course, the art, historic sites, and remarkable collections were central to the experience. But just as memorable were the conversations at the table, in the sprinter van going to the next stop, the laughter, and the connections between people who might never otherwise have met.

When supporters begin introducing friends, championing projects, and looking forward to seeing one another, they are doing more than participating in a membership program. They are helping build a community. That is a far more durable foundation for philanthropy than a calendar of solicitations.

Authenticity Is a Leadership Strength

I am a native New Yorker, a Francophile, philanthropist, and an art collector. My own relationship with the Louvre stretches back over a few decades now. I bring those experiences and my personality to the work. I have never believed that becoming a nonprofit executive means adopting a different version of yourself to suit every room.

People can sense when an interaction is overly rehearsed. They also recognize genuine curiosity and excitement. I would rather have an honest conversation about why a project matters than deliver a perfect pitch that leaves no room for dialogue.

Authenticity does not mean abandoning professionalism. It means being comfortable enough in your own skin to listen, ask questions, admit what you do not know, and build relationships based on mutual respect. It also means giving colleagues the freedom to lead in their own voices.

Look Beyond the Biggest Gift

Our team, board, and supporters have helped secure a few of the largest commitments in our organization’s history, each worth approximately $5 million. I am enormously proud of that achievement and, more importantly, of what those gifts will make possible for the Louvre.

But I do not want us to measure our success only by the largest number on a pledge agreement. I also ask whether we are welcoming new people, deepening existing relationships, and creating reasons for supporters to remain engaged over time. A first-time member who becomes a passionate advocate may be just as important to our long-term future as a major commitment announced today.

The same thinking applies to younger philanthropists. We should not treat them merely as tomorrow’s major donors. They have ideas, networks, influence, and a desire to contribute now. If we invite them into meaningful conversations and give them real opportunities to participate, we are cultivating future leaders, not simply future prospects.

The Work Is Collective

No fundraising milestone belongs to one person. Behind every successful gift are colleagues who prepared the groundwork, trustees who opened doors, museum partners who articulated the need, and supporters who decided to act. Leadership means recognizing those contributions and creating an environment in which everyone can succeed.

Fundraising also requires patience. Relationships do not develop on a fiscal-year schedule, and generosity cannot always be rushed. We have to balance the pressure to deliver immediate results with the responsibility to build institutions that will thrive long after we have moved on.

That is why I return to a simple principle: people give to people. They give because they believe in a mission, certainly, but also because they trust the individuals entrusted with advancing it and feel connected to the community surrounding it.

The money matters. It allows our institutions to do extraordinary things. But the relationships we build along the way are what give that work its meaning—and, I believe, its staying power.

Thomas E. Moore III is a nonprofit executive, philanthropist, art collector, and cultural advocate serving as Executive Director of the American Friends of the Louvre. Since assuming leadership in 2023, he has overseen a period of remarkable growth, achieving record fundraising, expanding membership, and securing the largest gifts (seven figures) in the organization’s history.

A native New Yorker and lifelong Francophile, Moore’s relationship with the American Friends of the Louvre spans nearly two decades, first as a supporter and later as a member of its board of directors. Passionate about the intersection of art, philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy, he is committed to broadening access to the arts and cultivating the next generation of cultural patrons. He lives in New York with his wife, Alexandra.