Foundation Closing Due To Lack Of Funds

DALLAS (AP) — A foundation to honor the Monuments Men treasure hunters who saved 5 million works of art during World War II says it is closing due to a lack of funds.

Robert Edsel established the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art in 2007. Edsel is a Dallas-based author who wrote "The Monuments Men," which was made into a 2014 movie starring George Clooney.

He told The Dallas Morning News (http://bit.ly/1RnyDJ5 ) on Tuesday that the foundation will stop operating at the end of October.

Edsel says documenting and sharing the group's stories has cost more than $7 million over 10 years. The foundation raised half. Edsel, who made his money in oil and gas, paid the rest.

The 345 treasure hunters will be honored with a Congressional Gold Medal Thursday in Washington, D.C.