The fire that ripped through Notre Dame has encouraged an outpouring of support from billionaires and philanthropists. But the building's fundraising adviser is asking why it took such a tragic event to raise the money it has desperately needed. (1/5)
Cathedral has encouraged an outpouring of support from wealthy philanthropists, with billionaires and major companies pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild the ravaged structure.
In 2014, France's Ministry of Culture said the work would require 150 million euros in funding . But until Monday raising the cash had proved difficult. "The government is in charge of 93 cathedrals all over France, and the amount dedicated to Notre Dame de Paris was not enough for the restoration," Picaud said.
To try to make up this shortfall, a U.S.-based charity, Friends of Notre Dame, stepped in over the past year or so, raising 3.2 million euros from private donors, according to Picaud, who is also the charity's president. However, the pre-fire funds of 60 million euros were just over a third of the total needed. It's only now that the blaze has destroyed some of the features that were in need of repair that the required money has flooded in."We'll rebuild this cathedral all together," he said Monday night.Already, the family of French billionaire Bernard Arnault, along with its luxury goods group LVMH, said it would donate 200 million euros.
"This tragedy is striking all the French people, and beyond that, all those attached to spiritual values," Pinault said in a statement."Faced with this tragedy, everyone wishes to give life back to this jewel of our heritage as soon as possible."
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