Hayastan All Armenian Fund (the Armenia Fund)

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund (The Armenia Fund) was founded by Presidential Decree in March of 1992 in Yerevan, Armenia. Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is a unique institution whose mission is to unite Armenians in Armenia and Armenian Diaspora abroad to overcome the country’s difficulties and to help establish sustainable development in both Armenia and Artsakh.

The [http://www.president.am/president/eng/ Armenian president] is also the President of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Board represents the widest cross section of institutions as well as influential individuals in Armenia and in the Armenian Diaspora. These include the Catholicos of All-Armenians, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, the President of Nagorno Karabakh, the prime ministers of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the chairmen of the [http://www.concourt.am/english/index.htm Republic of Armenia Constitutional Court] and the [http://www.cba.am/CBA_SITE/?__locale=en Central Bank of Armenia] , the Speaker of the [http://www.parliament.am/?lang=eng National Assembly of Republic of Armenia] , the heads of the three main Armenian political parties and of major benevolent institutions such as the [http://www.agbu.org/ AGBU] , [http://www.arfd.am/eng/index.php ARF] , the [http://www.aaainc.org/ Armenian Assembly of America] and other benefactors and public figures.

The Fund’s first major initiative was the US$22M Winter Humanitarian Project, which alleviated pressing social needs of the time (1993-1994). At the same time the Fund initiated an ambitious rebuilding program following the 1988 Spitak earthquake: providing accommodation to those left without shelter in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Stepanavan and Spitak.

The Fund also provides continuing financial assistance and support to families of deceased and invalided soldiers of the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict.

During 1995-1999, the Fund was entrusted with implementing major infrastructure development projects, as a result of which it constructed the major Goris-Stepanakert highway. In 2001, it financed the construction of the North-South Highway of Nagorno Karabakh. This established a road network between cities and villages in Nagorno Karabach and greatly contributed to economic growth and progress in the country.

In parallel with road building, the Fund has embarked on community development projects including the construction and renovation of schools, hospitals, water treatment plants and supply systems, power transmission lines and cultural centers. Projects have also been implemented in the agricultural sector.

In 2005, the Board of Trustees approved the “Artzakh Rebirth” regionall development project, which opened a new page in the Fund’s activities. The Board unanimously decided to use funds raised in the 2005 and 2006 telethons to revitalize and develop the Nagorno Karabakh regions of Martakert and Hadrut, which had particularly suffered most during the Artsakh conflict. In 2006, several projects were initiated in Martakert including agricultural support, water supply, healthcare and school building. A similar project was initiated in the Hadrout region in 2007.

Since 1996, the Fund has been organizing annual telethons [ [http://www.huliq.com/40698/armenia-funds-10th-annual-telethon-to-air-nov-22 Huliq News] Armenia Fund's 10th Annual Telethon to Air November 22, 2007.] in Los Angeles. These 12-hour events are not just major fund-raising activities: they draw Armenians together around a single goal and objective every year. The 2007 telethon [ [http://www.arqiva.com/press-office/press-releases/press-releases-2007/arqiva-gets-the-leading-role-in-delivery-of-armenia-funds-10th-i Arqiva] Arqiva gets the leading role in delivery of Armenia Fund's 10th International Telethon.] was a record, rising US$15.3M to implement the Fund’s Rural Development Program.

Annual phonethons proceeding telethons are being held in Armenia, France, a number of European countries, as well as Argentina. They aim at raising funds and informing the public about the forthcoming projects.

Affiliate organizations worldwide actively participate and contribute to the Fund’s work. These include organizations in the USA (Los Angeles and New York [ [http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4999 Charity Navigator] Evaluates the financial health of over 5,300 of America's largest charities.] ), France, Canada (Toronto and Montreal), Great Britain [ [http://charities.everyclick.com/info.xq?id=97551&name=HAYASTAN-ALL-ARMENIAN-CHARITABLE-TRUST-OF-GREAT-BRITAIN Everyclick] Everyclick provides all 200,000 UK registered charities.] , Germany, Holland, Lebanon, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.

The Fund, like independent Armenia itself, is celebrated its 15 anniversary in 2007. During this time it has gained widespread respect and recognition for successfully meeting the needs and aspirations of the times. Always a great support to Armenia, the Fund is committed to its mission of successfully and steadily developing Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

Board of Trustees is the supreme body of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. Under the Fund’s charter, the Armenian president is ex officio the President of its Board of Trustees. Many other important individuals and institutions in Armenia and in the Armenian Diaspora are also represented. These include the Catholicos of All-Armenians, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, representative of the Armenian Evangelical church, the President of Nagorno Karabakh, and the prime ministers of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Other representatives are the chairmen of the RA Constitutional Court and the Central Bank, the Speaker of the National Assembly, ministers, the heads of the three main political parties and of major benevolent institutions such as the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Relief Fund, the Armenian Assembly of America and other outstanding Armenian benefactors and public figures.

The Board of Trustees convenes annual meetings with the participation of the representatives of local bodies and the Executive Board of the Fund. The Board is chaired by the President of Armenia. Completed and current projects, financial reports, reports of the control committee and the international audit company are presented to the participants. Reports are submitted by the Executive Director of the Fund and representatives of local committees. The Board discusses and approves projects planned for the next year, and adopts decisions on their implementation. Funds raised at the telethons are directed towards implementation of major projects of strategic importance to the country which get approved at the annual meetings of the Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees

#Serzh Sargsyan, RA President, the President of the Board of Trustees
#Gagik Harutyunyan, Chair of the RA Constitutional Court, VP of the Board of Trustees
#Tigran Torosyan, Speaker of the RA Parliament
#Tigran Sargsyan, RA Prime Minister
#Edward Nalbandian, RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
#Tigran Davtyan, RA Minister of Finance
#Artur Javadyan, President of the RA Central Bank
#Bako Sahakyan, President of NKR
#Arayik Harutyunyan, NKR Prime Minister
#H.H. Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians
#H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
#Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni Tarmouni, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church
#Very Rev. Rene Levonian, Armenian Evangelical Church
#Georg Manukian, Ramkavar Liberal-Democratic Party
#Ara Boyajian, Social-Democratic Hunchakian Party
#Vagharsh Ehramdjian, Armenian Revolutionary Federation
#Hirair Hovnanian, Armenian Assembly of America
#Berge Setrakian, Armenian General Benevolent Union
#Hasmig Derderian, Armenian Relief Society
#Louise Manoogian Simone, United States of America
#Vartan Gregorian, United States of America
#Mark Geragos, United States of America
#Albert Boyajian, United States of America
#Eduardo Eurnekian, Argentina
#Eduardo Seferian, Argentina
#Vatche Manoukian, Great Britain
#Albert Boghossian, Switzerland
#Dikran Izmirlian, Switzerland
#Bedros Terzian, France
#Charles Aznavour,France
#Arsen Ghazaryan, President of Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen, Armenia

Control Committee

Vahe Jazmadarian, France

Gagik Khachatrian, Head of State Revenues Committee of the Government of RA

Executive Board

The central executive body of the Fund is the Executive Board. The Executive Board office in Yerevan consists of six departments, which manage and supervise the Fund's projects. The Executive Board works in concert with the Fund’s affiliates and provides them with direction and updates about progress of different programs and projects.

The Executive Board is accountable to the Board of Trustees.

The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director(s) are appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director is responsible for coordination and management of all departments of the central offices in Yerevan.

Executive Directors

1992 - 1998 Manushak Ter Petrossian

1998 - 1998 Raffi Hovannisian

1998 - 2004 Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan

2004 - 2007 Naira Melkumyan

2007 - 2008 Vahe Aghabegians

2008 – Ara Vardanyan (acting deputy director)

Affiliates

Argentina: Armenia 1353, 1414 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Armenia: http://www.himnadram.org/
Austria: Kolonitzgasse 11, ARMENIENPLATZ, A-1030 WIEN, Austria
Brazil: Av. São Luis, 192 - Cj.1301 01046-000 - São Paulo, Brazil
Canada (Montreal): 2340 Lucerne Avenue 30, V. M. R. Montreal, Quebec H3R 2J8 Canada
Canada (Toronto): 280 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 215, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 3B1, Canada
France: http://www.fondsarmenien.net
Germany: Forststrasse 10, 85521 Riemerling, Germany
Holland: HET SCHOL 17, 7608 DT ALMELO, Holland
Lebanon: P.O.Box 11-0769 Riad El-Solh, Beyrouth Lebanon
Nagorno Karabakh: Stepanakert
Sweden: P.O. Box 25107, 75025 Uppsala, Sweden
Switzerland: 2 Chemin Luilin, 1256 Troinex, Geneve, Switzerland
United Kingdom: Kensington London W8 6TP United Kingdom
United States (western region): http://www.armeniafund.org
United Stated (eastern region): http://www.armeniafundusa.org
Uruguay: Casilla de Correo 13157, Distrito 13, Montevideo, Uruguay

Notes and references