Armenian General Benevolent Union
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is a public charity based in New York, NY. Formed in 1959, it states that its mission is to ensure the prosperity and well-being of all Armenians.
Armenian General Benevolent Union at a glance
In short: Armenian General Benevolent Union gave $6.1M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $674K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,064,532
- +326.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $673,837
- +468.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $110,036
- Total assets
- $327,469,882
- +5.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Armenian General Benevolent Union
- Contact
Mailing address: 55 East 59Th Street, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 319-6383
Website: https://agbu.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Armenian General Benevolent Union funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tumo Foundation ($3.6M across 2 grants). Together the top 8 received $6.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 61 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Texas (60%) and California (32%), followed by New York (6%), Massachusetts (1%), and the District of Columbia (1%). AGBU’s website describes programs and relief work in Armenia, including support for displaced people from Artsakh. Its Global Leadership Program has operated sessions in several locations, including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Yerevan, Moscow, London, Buenos Aires, and Boston.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Armenian General Benevolent Union gives
- Giving grew 316% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2023) to $7.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $6.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tumo Foundation Dallas, TX | Educational | $3,566,666 |
| Agbu Manoogian-Demirdjian School Canoga Parkca Canoga Park, CA | Educational | $1,307,874 |
| American University of Armenia Corp Glendale, CA | Educational | $621,958 |
| Diocese of the Armenian Church of America New York, NY | Cultural | $257,172 |
| Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York, NY | Humanitarian | $110,036 |
| Tumo Foundation Dallas, TX | Socio-Economic | $83,334 |
| Amvets Watertown, MA | Cultural | $71,492 |
| Observer Research Foundation Washington, DC | Socio-Economic | $40,000 |
| Aabc Channel 384 Glendale, CA | Socio Economic | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
AGBU states that earnings from endowment funds are used to support programs in accordance with each endowment’s purpose.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $327,469,882 | $34,559,386 | $29,384,138 | $6,064,532 | 9 | $9,195,691 |
| 2023 | $310,428,110 | $38,112,370 | $28,253,731 | $1,421,269 | 12 | $10,261,603 |
| 2022 | $285,357,425 | $42,419,928 | $29,326,954 | $7,674,393 | 12 | $7,544,801 |
| 2021 | $296,944,132 | $43,918,491 | $21,803,804 | $1,456,145 | 12 | $25,242,610 |
| 2020 | $268,532,214 | $35,422,397 | $32,284,688 | $2,028,147 | 16 | $9,320,262 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AGBU’s stated mission is “ensuring the prosperity and well-being of all Armenians.” Its filing describes work in education, Armenian culture, and socio-economic development. The organization’s website also describes humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, medical care, and other support for vulnerable people.
Its 2024 grants included substantial educational support. TUMO Foundation describes its own mission as providing free after-school education for teens at the intersection of design and technology. The American University of Armenia describes its work as supporting the university’s educational and research activities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, AGBU reported nine grants totaling $6,064,532. Individual grants ranged from $6,000 to $3,566,666, with a median of $110,036. Its largest awards included $3,566,666 to TUMO Foundation for educational purposes; $1,307,874 to AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School for educational purposes; and $621,958 to American University of Armenia Corp for educational purposes. Other listed grants included $257,172 to the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America for cultural purposes and $110,036 to Columbia University Irving Medical Center for humanitarian purposes.
AGBU’s filing says its Central Board reviews and monitors grant recipients and requests financial reporting to support grant expenditures. Its scholarship support is paid either to institutions of higher education or directly to scholarship recipients. Scholarship applicants must submit an application, transcripts, and financial information, and maintain certain grades. The website describes scholarships for students of Armenian descent, generally requiring full-time degree enrollment and academic excellence and financial need; awards vary by program. The US graduate scholarship listing gives an award range of $3,000–$10,000 and a May 1 application deadline. The site says applications are currently closed and will reopen in January.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Mark Gitlen, Chief Financial Officer; Sam Simonian, President (on 10/24); Joseph Oughourlian, Vice President (off 10/24); Yervant Zorian, Member (off 10/24) and Vice President (on 10/24); Arda Nazerian Haratunian, Assistant Secretary (off 10/24) and Vice President (on 10/24); Nazareth Festekjian, Treasurer; Yervant Demirjian, Assistant Treasurer; Ani Manoukian, Member (off 10/24) and Secretary (on 10/24); Haig Ariyan, Member; and Arnaud Attamian, Member.
Armenian General Benevolent Union is led by Sam Simonian, President-On on the 2024 filing; 6 of 27 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sam Simonian
President-On
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Aline Papazian
Director- Outreach & Development
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$149K (2020) → $168K (2024)
Kathryn V. Manuelian
Director of Communications
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$139K (2020) → $177K (2024)
Naheed Elyasi
Director of Marketing
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$129K (2020) → $161K (2024)
Natalie Gabrielian
Director of Chapters & Central Board Administratio
Director of Alternate Education → Dir- Central Board Administrator & Chapters, 2022
Dir- Central Board Administrator & Chapters → Director of Chapters & Central Board Administratio, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$130K (2021) → $154K (2024)
Gohar Stombolyan
Director West Region
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$130K (2022) → $140K (2024)
Mark Gitlen
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$248K (2020) → $267K (2024)
Ani Manoukian
Member-Off & Secretary on
Member → Member-Off & Secretary on, 2024
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arda Nazerian Haratunian
Assistant Secty-Off & V.p. on
Assistant Secretary → Assistant Secty-Off & V.p. on, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ari Libarikian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arnaud Attamian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Esrailian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Haig Ariyan
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Oughourlian
Vice President-Off
Vice President → Vice President-Off, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lena Sarkissian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Levon Nazarian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Muncherian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nadia Gortzunian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nazareth A. Festekjian
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarkis Jebejian
Secty-Off & Member on
Secretary → Secty-Off & Member on, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vahe Gabrache
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vartkes Knadjian
Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vasken Yacoubian
Member
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yervant Demirjian
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yervant Zorian
Member-Off & V.p. -On
Member → Member-Off & V.p. -On, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Camilio Azzouz
Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yeghiche Manoukian
Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Berge Setrakian (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Ani Susan Anserian (2020–2022) — Director of Programs
- Former: Aris Atamian (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Randa Akda (2022) — Director of Estates & Trusts
- Former: Vahe Victor Kiljian (2020–2021) — Director of Finance
- Former: Grant Kamalyan (2021) — Director of It
- Former: Viktoriya Pavlish (2020) — Controller
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $267K, to Mark Gitlen (Chief Financial Officer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Armenian General Benevolent Union
How much does Armenian General Benevolent Union give each year?
Armenian General Benevolent Union gave $6.1M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 12 grants.
What is Armenian General Benevolent Union's typical grant size?
Armenian General Benevolent Union's median grant in 2024 was $110,036, and its average grant was $673,837, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Armenian General Benevolent Union give grants?
Armenian General Benevolent Union gives mostly in Texas: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (32%) and New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (2 grants), Glendale, CA (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Armenian General Benevolent Union give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Armenian General Benevolent Union's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Socio Economic" (3 grants) and "Educational" (3 grants).
Who are Armenian General Benevolent Union's largest grantees?
Armenian General Benevolent Union's largest 2024 grantees include Tumo Foundation ($3,650,000 across 2 grants), Agbu Manoogian-Demirdjian School Canoga Parkca ($1,307,874) and American University of Armenia Corp ($621,958), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Armenian General Benevolent Union?
Armenian General Benevolent Union reported $327.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $34.6M.
What does Armenian General Benevolent Union fund?
AGBU’s stated mission is “ensuring the prosperity and well-being of all Armenians.” Its filing describes work in education, Armenian culture, and socio-economic development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Armenian General Benevolent Union?
Armenian General Benevolent Union has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check agbu.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Armenian General Benevolent Union's EIN?
Armenian General Benevolent Union's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-5600421. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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