Armenian General Benevolent Union
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization devoted to preserving and promoting Armenian identity and heritage. Founded in 1906, AGBU is headquartered in New York City and operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity. The organization employs 118 people and serves over 500,000 individuals annually across Armenia, Karabakh, and the diaspora through a network of operations in 15 countries.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$327.5M
+5.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.1M
+326.7% YoY
Grant Count
9
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$674K
+468.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
AGBU's overarching mission is to sustain a foundation for the benefit of all Armenians by preserving and promoting Armenian identity and heritage. The organization accomplishes this through:
- Educational programming
- Cultural initiatives
- Humanitarian assistance
- Socio-economic development programs
The organization's grant-making priorities focus on education, philanthropy, voluntarism, and human services.
Grantmaking
AGBU is an active grantmaker with significant philanthropic reach. According to recent financial data:
Grant Range
**: $6,000–$6,350,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AGBU's funding and programming activities are concentrated in:
- Primary focus: Texas, California, and New York
- International operations: 15 countries including Armenia, Karabakh, Colombia, Lebanon, Canada, and France
- Specific regional presence: AGBU Lebanon (established 1910) operates in Beirut with programs including schools, medical dispensaries, youth groups, and cultural organizations
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue (2024)
- Total assets: $327,469,882
- Annual revenue: $7,704,171
- 2024 budget: $29.4 million
Expense Breakdown (2024)
- Program spending: 81%
- Management spending: 15%
- Fundraising spending: 4%
Historical Financial Data (2022)
- Revenue: $42.4 million
- Expenses: $29.3 million
- Total assets: $285 million
- Total liabilities: $5.15 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $327,469,882 | $310,428,110 | $297,525,915 |
| Revenue | $34,559,386 | $38,112,370 | $38,755,110 |
| Expenses | $29,384,138 | $28,253,731 | $28,642,760 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $9,195,691 | $10,261,603 | $6,944,370 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Tumo Foundation ($3,566,666), Agbu Manoogian-demirdjian School Canoga Parkca ($1,307,874), American University of Armenia Corp ($621,958).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AABC CHANNEL 384 GLENDALE, CA | SOCIO ECONOMIC | $6,000 |
| AGBU MANOOGIAN-DEMIRDJIAN SCHOOL CANOGA PARKCA CANOGA PARK, CA | EDUCATIONAL | $1,307,874 |
| AMVETS WATERTOWN, MA | CULTURAL | $71,492 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER NEW YORK, NY | HUMANITARIAN | $110,036 |
| DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA NEW YORK, NY | CULTURAL | $257,172 |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA CORP GLENDALE, CA | EDUCATIONAL | $621,958 |
| OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | SOCIO-ECONOMIC | $40,000 |
| TUMO FOUNDATION DALLAS, TX | EDUCATIONAL | $3,566,666 |
| TUMO FOUNDATION DALLAS, TX | SOCIO-ECONOMIC | $83,334 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives identified include:
- Gohar Stambolyan: Executive Director, Western Region
- Michael Katz: Non-Executive Director
- Krikor Satamian: Artistic Director
- Arine Kazarian: Executive Director, AGBU Lebanon
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK GITLEN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $267,025 |
| SAM SIMONIAN | PRESIDENT-ON 10/24 | 20 | — |
| JOSEPH OUGHOURLIAN | VICE PRESIDENT-OFF 10/24 | 5 | — |
| YERVANT ZORIAN | MEMBER-OFF 10/24, V.P. -ON 10/24 | 5 | — |
| ARDA NAZERIAN HARATUNIAN | ASST SECTY-OFF 10/24, V.P. ON 10/24 | 10 | — |
| NAZARETH FESTEKJIAN | TREASURER | 20 | — |
| YERVANT DEMIRJIAN | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 5 | — |
| ANI MANOUKIAN | MEMBER-OFF 10/24, SECTY ON 10/24 | 30 | — |
| HAIG ARIYAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| ARNAUD ATTAMIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| CAMILIO AZZOUZ | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| ERIC ESRAILIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| VAHE GABRACHE | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| NADIA GORTZUNIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| SARKIS JEBEJIAN | SECTY-OFF 10/24, MEMBER ON 10/24 | 10 | — |
| VARTKES KNADJIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| ARI LIBARIKIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| YEGHICHE MANOUKIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| LORI MUNCHERIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| LEVON NAZARIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| LENA SARKISSIAN | MEMBER | 5 | — |
| VASKEN YACOUBIAN | MEMBER | 30 | — |
| KAREN ALINE PAPAZIAN | DIRECTOR- OUTREACH & DEVEL | 40 | $167,787 |
| KATHRYN V MANUELIAN | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $176,848 |
| NAHEED ELYASI | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | 40 | $161,334 |
| NATALIE GABRIELIAN | DIRECTOR OF CHAPTERS & CENTRAL BOARD ADMINISTRATIO | 40 | $153,696 |
| GOHAR STOMBOLYAN | DIRECTOR WEST REGION | 40 | $140,122 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
AGBU and Creative Armenia announced an open call for Creative Armenia-AGBU Fellowships for 2026
AGBU and Creative Armenia Announce Open Call for CreativeAGBU Scholarship Program announced larger awards and new selection criteria for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years
AAVGB/AGBU announce 2025-2026 scholarshipsAGBU raised $5 million for the Hayastan All Armenian Fund with matching contributions
AGBU Raises $5 Million for Hayastan All Armenian Fund andOngoing support for Syrian Armenian students through dedicated funding initiatives
AGBU to Provide $130,000 to Syrian Armenian Students forFrequently Asked Questions
What does Armenian General Benevolent Union fund?
AGBU's overarching mission is to sustain a foundation for the benefit of all Armenians by preserving and promoting Armenian identity and heritage. The organization accomplishes this through: • Educational programming • Cultural initiatives • Humanitarian assistance • Socio-economic development programs The organization's grant-making priorities focus on education, philanthropy, voluntarism, and human services.
How do I apply for a grant from Armenian General Benevolent Union?
AGBU is an active grantmaker with significant philanthropic reach. According to recent financial data: • **Total annual giving**: $14,061,998 • **Typical grant range**: $6,000–$6,350,000 • **Grant focus areas**: Education, philanthropy, voluntarism & grantmaking, and human services Recent grant announcements include: • $130,000 in support for Syrian Armenian students for the 2014-2015 academic year • $5 million raised for the Hayastan All Armenian Fund (with matching funds) • Expanded scholarsh…
Where does Armenian General Benevolent Union make grants?
AGBU's funding and programming activities are concentrated in: • Primary focus: Texas, California, and New York • International operations: 15 countries including Armenia, Karabakh, Colombia, Lebanon, Canada, and France • Specific regional presence: AGBU Lebanon (established 1910) operates in Beirut with programs including schools, medical dispensaries, youth groups, and cultural organizations
What size grants does Armenian General Benevolent Union award?
In 2024, Armenian General Benevolent Union awarded 9 grants totaling $6.1M — an average of about $674K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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