Contribute to the Al & Mary Leonard Emergency Site Preservation Fundraising Campaign
Donate now to support our critical mission in cultural heritage preservation!
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Dear Friends and Supporters of the INSTAP Study Center,
In 2024, we launched a new campaign to establish an Emergency Site Conservation Fund for East Crete. Our goal was to raise funds to address urgent conservation needs for archaeological sites across the island. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we were able to raise over $4,000.
This year, we are excited to announce the creation of the Al & Mary Leonard Emergency Site Preservation Fund! Through a significant contribution from Al and Mary Leonard, we can now provide $5,000 grants each year for the next decade.
“My late wife Mary’s connection to the Study Center began in 1997, when we led a small group around Crete during the Center’s opening.
But it was in 2002 and 2003, while volunteering at the Hagios Charalambos excavation, cleaning bones in a small tent, that the idea for this gift first took root.
The cave had been accidentally discovered during road construction and wisely sealed until proper excavation could be carried out.
Each time we returned to Crete, Mary reflected on how the island’s rich past might be protected amid growing modern development. This fund is a step toward answering that concern, supporting efforts to preserve Crete’s remarkable archaeological heritage.”
— Al Leonard
This fund will help with crucial preservation efforts, including site conservation, fence construction or repairs, and the installation of bilingual signage to improve visitor understanding. These initiatives will have a lasting impact on preserving Crete’s cultural heritage sites for generations to come.
We invite all of our members to consider contributing to this important cause. Every donation, no matter the amount, plays a vital role in supporting our mission. If you’re unable to donate at this time, you can still help by sharing our campaign with your network. Each share brings us closer to our goal.
To download the grant application and learn more about the process, please use the links below:
Please help us reach our goal!
