ArmeniaFund

Armenia Fund Established in 1994 in Los Angeles, California, Armenia Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-governmental, non-political corporation. Serving as the United States’ Western Region affiliate of the [http://www.himnadram.org “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund] . Along with its nineteen affiliates around the world, Armenia Fund, Inc. has raised over $120 million U.S. dollars towards humanitarian aid for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. [ [http://www.armeniafund.org/telethon/telethon-2006/telethon_2006.php Armenia fund] ]

By rallying the resources of the Armenian Diaspora, Armenia Fund has facilitated critical and urgent assistance for the fledgling republics of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

As a premier fundraising organization, Armenia Fund unites major Armenian-American organizations and churches west of the Mississippi under a common goal: raising vital humanitarian and infrastructure development funds for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia Fund is not only a trailblazer in actualizing the Pan-Armenian ideology, but also a pioneer in the important task of nation building.

Armenia Fund builds its over a decade long reputation on high levels of accountability and financial transparency. Undergoing rigorous financial audits on an annual basis, Armenia Fund has clearly demonstrated its financial transparency to its donor base. It actively participates in oversight measures, both financial and/or project related, with Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. Quarterly visits to project sites and meticulous examination of financial documents help maintain accountability within the operational sphere of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. Based on this, Armenia Fund has built a track record of trust amongst its donor base and the Armenian Diaspora at large.

Actively promoting grassroots involvement Armenia Fund has been able to raise over 80% of all funds from the general public. With a support base well over 20,000 donors, Armenia Fund is the largest Armenian-American grassroots, non-membership charity in the United States. Through its public outreach campaign, Armenia Fund engages all levels of the community and brings Armenia closer to the Diaspora.

In the states East of the Mississippi River, the mission of All-Armenian Hayastan Fund are led by its East Coast affiliate, Armenia Fund USA. Based in New York, the office leads fundraising efforts in the Eastern region of the United States, as well as special projects such as the Stepanakert Polyclinic.

Annually, on Thanksgiving Day, Armenia Fund hosts a live internationally telecast fundraising event: The Armenia Fund Telethon. Broadcasted live from Glendale, California, the 12-hour event airs throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, the Middle East, the CIS and Armenia. The Telethon features interviews with celebrities, Armenia Fund supporters and political leaders from Armenia, Karabakh and the Diaspora. It also features progress reports on Armenia Fund projects and shares stories of lives impacted by them.

Since1996 the Telethon and has raised over $110 million dollars for large infrastructure development projects in Armenia and Karabakh including the construction of the vital Goris-Stepanakert Highway that links Armenia and Karabakh via the Lachin Corridor and the strategically crucial North-South Highway that stretches 106 miles connecting over 150 towns and villages in Karabakh.

Goals

Armenia Fund attempts to rebuild Armenia's economy and assist in the well-being of life in the region. Additionally, the organization attempts to rebuild major infrastructures damaged in Karakakh during the Nagorno-Karabakh War. [Nations Abroad: diaspora politics and international relations in the Former Soviet Union By Neil J. Melvin, Charles King - Page 92]

Telethon

Beginning in 1997, an annual telethon was set-up and televised across the globe.

Armenia Fund and its 19 worldwide affiliates canceled Telethon 2001 in solidarity with its American brothers and sisters over the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The Armenian people, victims of past terrorism and genocide, deeply shared the pain and agony surrounding the United States. Countless Armenian NGOs and churches contributed to the relief efforts following the terrorist attacks. [ [http://www.armeniafund.org/telethon/telethon_2001.php Armenia Fund Cancels Telethon 2001] ]

-The 2004 Armenia Fund’s "Make It Happen" Telethon, with participation of all its affiliates from around the world, a record $11.5 million dollars was raised for projects in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

-The funds raised during the Fund’s "Build a New Horizon" Telethon of 2005 were directed to the development of NKR's Martakert Region. The Telethon secured 7.77 million USD recording an unprecedented increase in public participation and medium-sized donations. The Telethon was broadcast live in most major cities of the USA as well as in Armenia, Europe, Middle-East, and Asia. Direct connections were provided with Armenia, Argentina, France, and Russia. More than 84% of contributions were provided by small and medium size donations.

-On Thanksgiving Day in 2006, the "I Love Armenia" Telethon managed to raise $13.6 million U.S. dollars. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20061124-1030-ca-armenia-telethon.html $13.6 million pledged to worldwide Armenia telethon] ]

-On November 22, 2007, Armenians across the world united under one mission: "One Nation One Future" and raised $15.3 million U.S. dollars to help rebuild Armenia's impoverished rural regions. The Armenia Fund's 10th International Telethon celebrated 15 years of successful development and highlighted the Fund's outlook for the years to come. The live telethon will aired internationally from Los Angeles and featured musical performances, documentary segments, special guests, and many surprises. Proceeds from Telethon 2007 will benefit The Armenia Fund's new beneficiary project – the Rural Development Program. The Tavush Region in Armenia and Martuni Region in Artsakh, will be the first to benefit from this large scale program. This multi-level regional development plan will help revitalize Armenia's and Artsakh's rural villages. Among the critical infrastructure development plans envisioned for the program include the building of new village schools, drinking water systems, and agricultural development programs for village farmers, as well as healthcare facilities across the rural regions.

References

External links

* [http://www.armeniafund.org/ Official Website]
* [http://www.himnadram.org/ "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund]