Alistair Hardaker | Image: M.I.A performing at the 2025 British Museum Ball © James D. Kelly
The donation, separate from money raised at its annual ball, will support the museum’s Masterplan
The British Museum is to announce a £30m donation from an anonymous “ single, long-standing supporter” this evening at its British Museum ball.
The museum’s director Dr Nicholas Cullinan will announce the gift during this evening’s ball, now in its second year.
The funding is separate from the funds raised through the ball, which last year generated around £2.5m. The museum did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the donor.
More than 850 guests are expected at the ball, this evening, which has been designed by artistic director, artist and stage designer Es Devlin.
The evening is themed around the Bayeux Tapestry, which is currently on loan from France, a display marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, and an exhibition on 2,000 years of Korean creativity.
Musician Wyclef Jean will give the headline performance in the museum’s Great Court.
Cullinan said: “We are immensely grateful for the extraordinary generosity of this donor, whose £30 million gift represents a significant moment in our plans for the Museum’s future.
“At the heart of everything we do is our ambition to make the British Museum more welcoming, and inspiring for everyone, and this gift is a huge vote of confidence in that vision.”
