Vartkess & Rita Balian
Vartkess & Rita Balian is a private foundation based in Arlington, Virginia. Its 2025 grants included cultural, religious, educational, and other charitable organizations.
Vartkess & Rita Balian at a glance
In short: Vartkess & Rita Balian gave $37K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $37,000
- +10.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- +3.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,276
- +6.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $491,590
- -1.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (34% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Vartkess & Rita Balian
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1300 Crystal Drive 1505, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (301) 864-6500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Vartkess & Rita Balian funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Armenian American Cultural Association ($11K). Together the top 10 received $24K.
Grant Size Distribution
114 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 114 grants of 114 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia (34%), New York (22%), the District of Columbia (20%), California (14%), and Massachusetts (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Vartkess & Rita Balian gives
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 115% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2022) to $42K (2021). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $37K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Armenian American Cultural Association Arlington, VA | General Operating Expenses | $11,000 |
| Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church New York, NY | 125TH Anniversary Commemoration | $2,500 |
| St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church Washington, DC | For Children of Etchmiadzin | $2,000 |
| Agbu Focus New York, NY | In Memory of Vartkess M Balian | $1,500 |
| American University of Armenia Oakland, CA | General Operating Expenses | $1,000 |
| American University of Beirut New York, NY | General Operating Expenses | $1,000 |
| Armenian Missionary Assoc of America Paramus, NJ | General Operating Expenses | $1,000 |
| Fund for Armenian Relief New York, NY | General Operating Expenses | $1,000 |
| Knights of Vartan Arleta, CA | General Operating Expenses | $1,000 |
| Naasr Belmont, MA | General Operating Expenses | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $491,590 | $42,909 | $49,305 | $37,000 | 29 | $40,737 | $34,341 | $35,329 |
| 2024 | $497,986 | $5,143 | $43,999 | $33,500 | 28 | $36,152 | $3,951 | $34,479 |
| 2023 | $536,842 | $54,338 | $42,883 | $30,500 | 1 | $30,500 | $43,930 | $32,011 |
| 2022 | $525,387 | $105,376 | $44,548 | $29,473 | 25 | $29,473 | $90,301 | $34,116 |
| 2021 | $464,559 | $55,889 | $50,962 | $42,300 | 31 | $42,300 | $47,227 | $38,195 |
| 2020 | $459,632 | $89,701 | $40,164 | $31,000 | 27 | — | $82,412 | $28,110 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Vartkess & Rita Balian reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 recipients included organizations whose own missions describe Armenian education, cultural and humanitarian work, and religious education. For example, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary describes itself as a religious educational institution that trains people for service and ministry in the Armenian Church. The Fund for Armenian Relief says it works to support people in Armenia and seeks an equitable, sustainable, and resilient Armenian homeland.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 29 grants totaling $37,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $11,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest listed grants were $11,000 to the Armenian American Cultural Association for general operating expenses, $2,500 to the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church for its 125th anniversary commemoration, and $2,000 to St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church for children of Etchmiadzin. Other listed awards included $1,500 to AGBU FOCUS in memory of Vartkess M. Balian and $1,000 each to the American University of Armenia, the American University of Beirut, the Fund for Armenian Relief, and several other organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Rita S. Balian as director and president, Gregory S. Balian as director and vice-president, and Raffi V. Balian as director and secretary/treasurer.
Vartkess & Rita Balian is led by Rita S. Balian, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rita S. Balian
Director & President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gregory S. Balian
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Raffi V. Balian
Director, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Vartkess & Rita Balian
How much does Vartkess & Rita Balian give each year?
Vartkess & Rita Balian gave $37K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $34K across 28 grants.
What is Vartkess & Rita Balian's typical grant size?
Vartkess & Rita Balian's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,276, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Vartkess & Rita Balian give grants?
Vartkess & Rita Balian's top state is Virginia, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (22%) and District of Columbia (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (9 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Arlington, VA (3 grants) and Burbank, CA (2 grants).
Does Vartkess & Rita Balian give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Vartkess & Rita Balian's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Vartkess & Rita Balian's largest grantees?
Vartkess & Rita Balian's largest 2025 grantees include Armenian American Cultural Association ($11,000), Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church ($2,500) and St Mary Armenian Apostolic Church ($2,500 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Vartkess & Rita Balian?
Vartkess & Rita Balian reported $492K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $41K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Vartkess & Rita Balian fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 recipients included organizations whose own missions describe Armenian education, cultural and humanitarian work, and religious education. For example, St. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Vartkess & Rita Balian?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Vartkess & Rita Balian's EIN?
Vartkess & Rita Balian's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 02-0602788. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Vartkess & Rita Balian accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Vartkess & Rita Balian funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vartkess & Rita Balian's focus areas in our free grants database
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