Restitution is the return of something to its rightful owner or to the person legally entitled to it. In the context of cultural property, it often refers to returning works of art or other items that were stolen or displaced during times of conflict, such as World War II.

Look for signs that may indicate the item was stolen or displaced during World War II, such as: Handwritten inscriptions, inventory numbers, or labels A missing or incomplete provenance history, particularly between 1933–1945 Unusual markings or stamps on the back or underside of the object If you notice any of these red flags, please contact us at wwiiart@mmwf.org.

The Foundation focuses on cultural property stolen or displaced during World War II that has not yet been returned to its rightful owner. This includes works of art, books, archival documents and manuscripts, artifacts, musical instruments, museum collections, and religious objects.

No. The Foundation does not charge any fees for its restitution services. We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and our mission is to ensure cultural property is returned to its rightful owners.

No. In most cases, the Foundation does not offer rewards or compensation for the return of cultural property. However, for works of art featured in our WWII Most Wanted Art™ deck of playing cards, an anonymous donor has provided tiered rewards. To learn more, visit this page.

Yes. Selling an object you believe may be stolen — especially cultural property displaced during World War II — is illegal. If you suspect an item may have been looted or unlawfully taken, please contact the Foundation at info@mmwf.org.

No. The Foundation is not a law enforcement agency and only works with the voluntary submission of cultural objects for return. We cannot and will not initiate prosecution against anyone who comes forward with information or items. Our sole mission is to return cultural property to its rightful owners. If you have concerns, we are happy to explain the benefits of coming forward and to support you through the process.

To help us review your case quickly and thoroughly, please include as much information as possible, such as: The artwork’s title, artist, date, and dimensions How it was acquired and any known history If a military veteran was involved, their rank, unit, and service details Clear, high-resolution photos of the artwork — front, back, and close-ups of any markings or unusual details Providing this information helps our team begin the research and restitution process more efficiently. You may submit these on our Art Leads form or write to wwiiart@mmwf.org.

If you believe a work of art has uncertain provenance, please contact our research team at wwiiart@mmwf.org.

No. While several European countries have created their own databases of cultural objects missing due to WWII, there is no single, comprehensive list of all looted artworks. Our researchers consult multiple sources and records to determine whether a particular work may have been looted.

Yes. You can report information about looted cultural property anonymously. Please call 1-866-WWII-ART or email us at wwiiart@mmwf.org.

These items are not considered cultural property, but war memorabilia, and do not require restitution.These items are considered war memorabilia, not cultural property, and therefore do not require restitution.

These items are not considered cultural property and therefore do not require restitution.

No. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the IRS considers offering appraisals a conflict of interest. The Foundation therefore does not provide appraisal services.

The Forever Promise Project is a partnership between the Monuments Men and Women Foundation and the Foundation for Adopting Graves American Cemetery Margraten. Its mission is to fulfill the original vision of the Margraten Grave Adoption Program by connecting American families of fallen WWII service members with the Dutch citizens who adopted their graves. Learn more at www.foreverpromise.org.

If you are a family member of someone buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery, you can complete our short questionnaire at www.foreverpromise.org/the-database. Our team will work to connect you with the Dutch adopter caring for your loved one’s grave — at no cost to you.

Yes! Your support helps fund the research, outreach, and technology needed to make these meaningful connections. Donations of any size are deeply appreciated and can be made directly through our website. You may support us via this link: https://www.foreverpromise.org/support.

Absolutely. If you enjoy genealogy or research, you can volunteer to help us locate family members of WWII service members buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery. Contact us at info@foreverpromise.org.

Our team works with volunteer genealogists to research the family histories of the service members buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery. Through meticulous record searches, public archives, and outreach, we identify and connect living relatives with Dutch adopters. That said, we also rely heavily on families reaching out to us directly. When relatives come forward on their own, it greatly speeds up the process. If you know someone with a family member buried there, directing them to the Forever Promise Project helps us fulfill our mission more quickly and efficiently.

No. There is absolutely no cost for American families to connect with the Dutch adopter caring for their loved one’s grave. The Forever Promise Project is fully funded by donations and grants so that families can experience this connection without financial burden.

Each case is unique. Some connections can be made quickly if records and contact information are readily available, while others take longer due to incomplete records or complex family histories. Our team will keep you updated as the research progresses.

Yes. You can view the complete list of Monuments Men and Women at this link.

Please contact us with as much information as possible about your relative, including details about their military service. Photographs and any related documents are also very helpful. You can fill out the General Inquiries form at this link.

The roster of names that the Foundation maintains is a compilation of personnel lists created by Monuments Woman Captain Edith A. Standen during her service in postwar Germany and the official Report of the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Artistic and Historic Monuments in War Areas (the Roberts Commission) submitted to President Truman in 1946. The list also includes the names of numerous foreign liaison officers who represented theirh ome countries during postwar restitution operations. Except in clear cases of documentable error, the Foundation made no deletions to these two original source lists.

A Firsthand Participant is someone who supported the work of the Monuments Men and Women during and immediately after World War II but was not officially part of the MFAA unit. These individuals played vital roles by assisting with recovery, transport, protection of cultural sites, and providing local knowledge. Their contributions are often documented through letters, oral histories, or personal accounts. The Foundation welcomes information about others who took part in this important history, so we can continue to honor and share their stories.

The Monuments Men and Women Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to raise worldwide awareness about the service of the Monuments Men and Women (MFAA), honor them for their achievements, complete their unfinished mission of returning missing art to the rightful owners, and educating the public on the importance of preserving our shared cultural heritage.

Yes. The Foundation is happy to review requests for research assistance related to World War II-era cultural property and related topics. Please submit the General Inquiries form at this link.

There are several ways to get involved with the Monuments Men and Women Foundation. We accept unsolicited applications that include a current résumé and cover letter. Because our projects are wide-ranging, we often draw from these applications to find experts in specific fields for both paid and unpaid opportunities.Please check our Job Opportunities page as well as on social media. If you are interested in becoming involved in a Trustee capacity, please contact our president directly at abottinelli@mmwf.org.

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For information about booking Robert Edsel for a speaking engagement, please visit his author website at this link.

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