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.