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<\/p>\nThomas Moore III didn\u2019t set out to become the executive director of one of the country\u2019s most prestigious nonprofit arts patronage groups. But by the time the American Friends of the Louvre began searching for a new leader in 2023, the board already knew the answer: One of the youngest people in the room was also the one who understood its future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was honored and kind of shocked,\u201d Moore, now 36, recalled with a chuckle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, he leads AFL with a blend of donor\u2011development expertise and lived experience that he believes is helping reshape who feels welcome in elite arts philanthropy. His tenure marks a cultural shift for the organization and one that centers diversity, transparency, and meaningful engagement rather than exclusivity, which has boosted fundraising efforts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Previously, AFL could resemble a private club for Americans who donated to and raised money for the Louvre in exchange for perks like special access to exhibitions, he said. It\u00a0 was elite, insular, and reserved for those already in the philanthropic fold, according to Moore. He saw that as a missed opportunity.<\/p>\n
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Laurent B. Chevalier<\/p>\n
Thomas Moore leads the Friends of the Louvre with a blend of donor\u2011development expertise and lived experience that he believes is helping reshape who feels welcome in elite arts philanthropy. Friends of the Louvre<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do such cool things,\u201d Moore said. \u201cWhy is it a secret?\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent years, he has embraced social media, broadened membership tiers, and redesigned AFL\u2019s New York gala to ensure it felt vibrant rather than obligatory. He refused to cover the Rockefeller Plaza\u2019s Rainbow Room\u2019s iconic dance floor \u2014 a choice that reduced table revenue \u2014 and opted for a live band over a D.J. A night of dancing appeals to more people than the idea of being planted at a dinner table for hours, he said. The gala now sells out with a waitlist, drawing guests ranging from 18 to 94.<\/p>\n
The transformation of the gala event is indicative of the many ways that Moore has been changing American Friends of the Louvre and extending its reach, according to board chairman Christopher Forbes. Forbes was among the group\u2019s founding members when it launched in 2002 and worked closely with former executive director Sue Devine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has brought in a lot of new, young members, which is great because Sue and I had worn out our Rolodex,\u201d Forbes said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moore also produced quick results when it came to fundraising and bringing on highly skilled new staff members, Forbes said. Moore shadowed Devine before she transitioned out of the executive director role in 2023. The two worked together to identify a potential major donor, and Moore secured the gift the following year after meeting with the donor several times. AFL landed a separate $5 million gift shortly after Moore\u2019s official appointment in 2024. Those gifts were the largest in the history of the group. In most recent years the group brought in $1 million to $3.5 million a year in contributions. In the fiscal year ending in June 2024, under Moore\u2019s leadership, it received $6.5 million, according to its informational tax return. Moore\u2019s hands-on approach to engaging with members and funders has \u201creaped enormous benefits\u201d during his brief tenure, Forbes said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Moore is quick to frame achievements as collective wins. Since taking over in 2023, he\u00a0 expanded AFL\u2019s team from two to four full-time employees. He also added a second part-time position. Moore wanted to hire staff who were curious, collaborative, and fellow Francophiles. He promoted transparency, including pushing back against hierarchical traditions that kept staff out of decision making.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe in the top\u2011down model,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can all sit around the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
Growth Despite Upheaval<\/p>\n
Already Moore has faced challenges. In recent months his leadership has been tested by changes at the Louvre, including a brazen daytime robbery in October, the resignation<\/a> of president Laurence des Cars in February, and the appointment of Christophe Leribault. As questions emerged among AFL members, Moore approached the moment with characteristic directness.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the leader of this organization, I have a responsibility to keep donors informed and engaged,\u201d he said. \u201cTransparency and direct communication are central to how I lead.\u201d<\/p>\n In the days following the Louvre\u2019s transition, Moore and his team spoke directly with board members and key supporters, providing context and answering concerns. Their primary request, he said, was simply a clearer understanding of events. AFL also issued a statement<\/a> to donors, reaffirming stability and alignment with the museum.<\/p>\n Despite the leadership shift in Paris, Moore said AFL\u2019s momentum remains strong. Membership increased by more than 30 percent in the second half of last year, with new members joining across all tiers. The organization also secured several new six\u2011figure commitments during that period.<\/p>\n