Foundation History

The Copan Maya Foundation was created in January of 2000 as a sister organization to the Honduran organization, the Copan Association. Founded in 1990, the Copan Association will administer and implement all Copan Maya Foundation projects. Honduran archaeologist and Copan Association Executive Director, Ricardo Agurcia Fasquelle worked with US colleagues to develop a US-based charity to offer a tax deductible way to support the work of the Copan Association and related projects in the Maya region.

The US has had, since the 1840s, great influence and presence in Copan, first in scholarship, and now, additionally, in tourism. More than any other foreign nation - scholars, individuals and US institutions have received many benefits from Copan. Through the Copan Maya Foundation, we will now be able to offer something concrete, effective and well-managed back to Copan.

Motivated by 1998 Hurricane Mitch's devastating effects to the Honduran economy and environment, the already limited resources from the Honduran government facing projects in the town of Copan Ruinas and site of Copan, and the strong connection to the US, Agurcia approached his US colleagues to begin this foundation.

Guided by an international board of directors and advisors, the foundation will offer consistent financial support, human resourcing and scholarly advice to projects that will benefit both townspeople and visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site.