About Our Foundation

The College of Arms Foundation is independent of the College of Arms in London; however, its effectiveness is dependent upon the goodwill and cooperation of the College and, more specifically, the Officers of Arms (or heralds), who are the custodians of the ancient arts and traditions of heraldry in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Foundation also liaises with the College of Arms Trust, a UK charity.

The Foundation was incorporated in the State of New York in 1983 at the time of the College of Arms' 500th anniversary when a major exhibit on English heraldry was organised at the New-York Historical Society.

The original purpose of the Foundation was to raise funds to preserve the College’s building on Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, where it has been based since the late 17th century.

In 2001, the Foundation's focus was changed to promote knowledge of, and interest in, English heraldry in the United States, while continuing to support the efforts of the College. Through 2015, the Foundation co-sponsored lectures on heraldry with the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, at whose office the events were held. Since 2014, the Foundation has funded special projects at the College of Arms.