• Argentina, Buenos Aires, Church of La Merced ($100,000)
• Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista (National Museum) ($100,000)
• Croatia, Split, Diocletian's Palace ($100,000)
• Mexico, Puebla, Church of San Juan Bautista, Cuauhtinchan ($100,000)
• Russia, Moscow, Ostankino Estate Museum ($100,000)
• Spain, Segovia, Aqueduct ($125,000 )
• Sri Lanka, Historic Galle, Old Dutch Hospital ($75,000)

The grants reflect the ongoing commitment of American Express to preservation and renew its long relationship with WMF. American Express was the founding sponsor of World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites program, established in 1995, to call international attention to and ensure the preservation of cultural heritage sites around the world threatened by neglect, vandalism, armed conflict, or natural disaster. Over the past 10 years, American Express has contributed more than $10 million to help preserve 119 historic sites in 59 countries placed on the Watch list. American Express's commitment to this program enabled WMF to leverage millions of dollars of additional funding from local and national governments, global corporations, foundations, and individuals, and has encouraged new preservation activism worldwide.

“American Express has been an enthusiastic supporter of the World Monuments Fund for more than 10 years,” said WMF President Bonnie Burnham. “These generous grants from American Express are critical to helping to protect and conserve sites that are testaments to human achievement for future generations to enjoy. This continued support from American Express is an exceptional example of enlightened philanthropy.”

“Through these cultural landmarks, we are helping to preserve global cultures and communities that span the years from the first century a.d. up to the 21st century, from Argentina to Croatia to Sri Lanka,” stated Timothy J. McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation. “These sites and monuments are a great source of local pride, and by attracting visitors from around the world, they promote a global understanding of our common history and heritage.”

Partners in Preservation Program
In June 2006, American Express announced its $10 million, five-year commitment to historic preservation through the American Express Partners in Preservation program. Partners in Preservation, which expands the company's focus on securing the use of cultural assets for the future, was launched with two critical partners, the World Monuments Fund and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program is dedicated to preserving sites both in the U.S. and around the world. Sites supported through the partnership with WMF will be selected from the biennial World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites as well as from among other endangered sites with which WMF is involved.

World Monuments Fund
The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is the foremost private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of endangered architectural and cultural sites around the world. Since 1965, WMF has worked tirelessly to stem the loss of historic structures at more than 400 sites in over 80 countries. WMF's work spans a wide range of sites, including the vast temple complexes at Angkor, Cambodia; the historic center of Mexico City; Nicholas Hawksmoor's London masterpiece, St. George's, Bloomsbury; the iconic modernist A. Conger Goodyear house in Old Westbury, New York; and the extraordinary 18th-century Qianlong Garden complex in Beijing's Forbidden City. From its headquarters in New York City -- and offices and affiliates in Paris, London, Madrid, and Lisbon -- WMF works with local partners and communities to identify and save important heritage through innovative programs of project planning, fieldwork, advocacy, grant-making, education, and on-site training. Every two years, WMF issues its World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites, a global call to action on behalf of sites in need of immediate intervention.

American Express
American Express Philanthropy makes grants in three major program areas: Cultural Heritage, Economic Independence and Community Service. In 2005, contributions totaled more than $31 million. Grants, made on behalf of the American Express family of companies, enrich the lives of American Express customers, their families and their communities. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.