Museums face numerous challenges in maintaining and expanding their collections. A recent example is the Martin von Wagner Museum at the University of Würzburg, which launched a fundraising campaign to prevent the loss of valuable permanent loans. This situation underscores the importance of nurturing relationships with donors and managing collections effectively.

The Collection of Antiquities in the Martin von Wagner Museum is at risk of losing numerous important items. A collector couple had provided the museum with valuable pieces on permanent loan over many decades. However, after their passing, a descendant is now demanding the objects back to sell them, giving the museum the right of first refusal. Jochen Griesbach-Scriba, the museum’s director, estimated that acquiring the nearly 80 objects would cost around one million euros. Without a budget for acquisitions, the museum launched a fundraising campaign to retain these treasures, including Greek pottery, wine amphorae, and marble sculptures, which are vital for exhibitions and educational programs.