RUSI Receives Largest Donation Yet to Support Redevelopment of Headquarters


The Dangoor Family has pledged £2 million from The Exilarch’s Foundation, the family’s charitable foundation.

RUSI is delighted to announce the largest single philanthropic gift in its 190-year history, towards its appeal for the refurbishment of 61 Whitehall, the Institute’s iconic home in the heart of the capital.

This generous commitment brings the total raised for the appeal to approximately £7 million, towards the Institute’s overall target of £10 million. 

The appeal for 61 Whitehall is supporting a sensitive restoration, redevelopment and modernisation project of RUSI’s historic headquarters in the heart of Whitehall, purposely built for the Institute in 1896. When the refurbishment is complete, RUSI’s staff will move back into a modern workspace, which will also include state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities for its members and the broader policy community. The goal is to render a structure built for a pioneering 19th century think tank fit for that same organisation to thrive and prosper in the 21st century and beyond. Contractors have already moved into the building, and full redevelopment work commences in April.

Sir David Lidington, RUSI’s Chair, remarked: "I am bowled over by the generosity of the Dangoor Family and the Exilarchs' Foundation. Given the impact of the pandemic, I was concerned that the fundraising campaign for our building would take a hit. But this donation from David Dangoor and his family is extraordinarily welcome and a huge vote of confidence in RUSI and in our plans for the future."

Dr Karin von Hippel, RUSI’s Director-General, added: "I regard this exceptional and historic gift as an accolade to the quality of our research, analysis and expertise, and of course, to our hardworking and talented staff. The Dangoor gift will allow RUSI to invest in its research and conference facilities, as well as our historic Library."

David Dangoor said: “I believe that the work of RUSI has become increasingly important in these challenging times and it deserves our support. Our gift should help RUSI fulfil its charitable mission by providing independent, politically-unbiased analysis and information to the wider public, in the UK and overseas.”



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