The Korea Root Initiative is a grassroots initiative created to steward a campaign to raise funds to establish an endowment fund at the Royal Ontario Museum (“ROM”) for a permanent curator of the Korea Gallery. Presently, the curator of the Korea Gallery is funded through a one-time gift from South Korea that will be depleted in October 2027. Establishing an endowment will ensure that the Korea Gallery can have a permanent curator dedicated to the stewardship, growth and celebration of Korean cultural history and artifacts at ROM. The curator will be an advocate for the Korea Gallery, and the Korea Root Initiative aims to establish an endowment to support a permanent curator.

The fundraising goal is $2 million by March 31, 2027, which if raised, is expected to be matched by a gift from South Korea. Together, the funds are anticipated to support a minimum $4 million endowment fund that can support a permanent curator position for the Korea Gallery. Korea Root Initiative’s vision is that $2 million is raised from the broader Korean Canadian community members as an investment in the future generations and our legacy in Canada.