Date: April 15, 2025
Location: New York, United Nations Headquarters
In a landmark moment for global arts and culture, the Vanderbilt-Daxsen Arts & Heritage Fund was officially launched at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025, signaling a new era of strategic investment in creative talent and cultural innovation.
Co-founded by Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, a direct descendant of the historic Vanderbilt family, and David Xavier Sánchez, Secretary General of the Council of Global Change, the fund was unveiled in a live-streamed global event on UN Web TV. The initiative was introduced as one of the Council’s flagship projects to empower emerging artists and underrepresented communities through access to funding, mentorship, and global networks.
“We created this fund with a single purpose,” said Vanderbilt during the launch. “To build bridges between generations, cultures, and visions for a future where art is no longer a luxury — but a right and a tool for transformation.”
David Xavier Sánchez emphasized the economic and social impact of the creative industries, stating, “More than 30 million people work in cultural sectors globally, yet too many remain without access to opportunity. This fund exists to change that.”
