To Restore, Preserve and Share. The Eric Peters Endowment Fund for Heritage Preservation carries the philanthropic dimension of the Terre de Briord project: to safeguard a built, natural and living heritage, and to share it with as many people as possible.
Terre de Briord is a private heritage estate, opened to the public as widely as possible and free of charge.
Beyond the compelling project of restoring and preserving a major heritage site of the Pays de Retz, Eric PETERS, who acquired the estate in 2022, wished to give the project an unequivocal philanthropic dimension.
His aim is simple, clear and irrevocable: to Restore, Preserve and above all Share Terre de Briord with as many people as possible, with no means-testing — that is, by allowing everyone to visit Briord free of charge during major monthly guided tours or at special cultural events held several times a year by the Volontaires de Charette association, which brings the estate to life.
It is therefore with a twofold ambition, both heritage-related and societal, that Eric Peters launched his project.
Eric is and will remain the Endowment Fund's principal patron, and his irrevocable decision was to endow the Fund with the financial means to bear the full weight of the very substantial maintenance and restoration works of the Briord estate.
Even so, he is convinced that many individuals and regional companies would like to be able to commit concretely and financially alongside him in this work of general interest.
There are no small commitments; all carry the same meaning and the same worth: a few hours, a few euros or a few thousand euros hold the same symbolism and the same importance — to commit, to take part, to participate.
It is in this context, and so that the utmost rigour surrounds the project, that the endowment fund was established:
A non-profit structure entirely dedicated to the restoration, upkeep and enhancement of the estate and its château.
A structure financially managed by a chartered accountant and audited by a statutory auditor.
The Endowment Fund abides by the strictest rules governing patronage and guarantees absolute security as to the use of the donations made by individuals and companies. 100% of every last cent received by the Endowment Fund will be devoted to its core mission: to Restore, Preserve and Share Terre de Briord.
It goes without saying — but it is worth recalling here officially — that Eric Peters has made a public, firm and irrevocable commitment never to derive any personal benefit, directly or indirectly, from any income of the Endowment Fund established to carry the project.
The Fund supports the restoration of the château and its outbuildings, the preservation of the estate's forest and natural spaces, the restoration of the historic kitchen garden and the conservatory orchard, and the opening of the estate to the public through free visits and the transmission of knowledge in all its forms.
Every donation, whatever its amount, contributes directly to the preservation of a shared heritage. Donations from individuals help fund concrete works and keep the estate alive throughout the year.
Companies wishing to associate their name with the safeguarding of an emblematic heritage of the Pays de Retz can become partners of the Fund. Several forms of support are possible: financial patronage, skills-based patronage or gifts in kind.
For any information about patronage and ways to support us, you may write to us at mecenat@terredebriord.fr.