Armenia Fund

Armenia Fund (full name Hayastan All Armenian Fund, Armenian: Հայաստան համահայկական հիմնադրամ) was 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 “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund along with its nineteen subsidiaries around the world, Armenia Fund, Inc. has issued over $120 million of electricity development guarantee and humanitarian revenue for Armenia. Lately the government of Armenia has been contributing to the fund since the fund has been receiving less support and not being able to meet its initial goals.[1]

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 Karabakh during the first Nagorno-Karabakh War.[2] The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.[3]

Network

“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund, Armenia Fund USA Inc.'s parent organization, through its affiliate organizations has presence in 16 countries around the world: United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Australia.[4]

Corporate Board of Armenia Fund USA Inc.
  1. Maria Mehranian, President/Chairman;
  2. Armenian Assembly of America;
  3. Armenian Cultural Foundation;
  4. Armenian Catholic Eparchy of U.S. and Canada;
  5. Armenian Evangelical Union of North America;
  6. Armenian General Benevolent Union;
  7. Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A.;
  8. Nor Serount Cultural Association;
  9. Nor Or Charitable Foundation;
  10. Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America;
  11. Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America;[5]

[6]

Famous Donors

Some of the most famous donors and supporters of Armenia Fund include Kirk Kerkorian,[7] the Kardashians,[8] Serj Tankian of System of a Down and Cher.[9] In 2020, due to the Nagorno-Karabakh(Artsakh) war, Kim Kardashian donated $1 Million.[10] System of a Down released two new songs after 15 years, donating all the proceeds to Armenia Fund.[11] As of December 2020, they had raised nearly $1 Million as a result.[12]

Controversies

Kaputak Sevan

In 2007, the fund provided funding for the construction of a windsurfing center named "Kaputak Sevan" near the lake Sevan. Then the resort was "coincidentally" owned by Bella Kocharyan, former president Robert Kocharyan's wife.[13][14]

Ara Vardanyan
See also: Ara Vardanyan (administrator)

In 2018, executive director of the fund Ara Vardanyan was arrested by National Security Service of Armenia. He was accused on embezzlement and misuse of money. Vardayan admitted that he has been using a Himnadram credit card for online gambling.[15] Later, in 2019, a new episode of embezzlement has been revealed by the National Security Service of Armenia and the charges brought against Vardanyan have been modified.[16] According to the new charges, Vardanyan is charged with embezzlement and abuse of powers by an official of a non-profit organization. Vardanyan, who had been detained within the scope of the case, has been released on bail.[17][18]

Money laundering

Ara K. Manoogian, a human rights activist alleged that vast and sophisticated money-laundering network of the Himnadram has long called Armenia, one of the world's largest tax evaders with an annual black market worth about $300 million, and Karabakh, a legal gray area where international inspection has been impossible for decades, safe havens. The sixteen branches of the Himnadram are tax-exempt because they are a part of a nonprofit organization. Some Armenian oligarchs have used this tax-exempt status extensively. One such case was exposed by investigative journalists.[14]

Telethon

Beginning in 1997, an annual telethon was set up and televised across the globe. The annual telethon takes place on Thanksgiving Day on various Armenian TV channels worldwide. On October 10, 2020, a special edition telethon took place to collect funds due to the 2020 war that broke out between Azerbaijan and Artsakh.

Telethon No. Year Raised Phoneathon Main Goal
1st 1997 $2,600,000 [19] rebuilding Karabakh's infrastructure
2nd 1998 $2,100,000 [20] 55-kilometer Segment of Goris-Stepanakert Highway
3rd 1999 $5,006,196[21] to construct the 169-km north–south "Backbone" Highway in Karabakh
4th 2000 $2,482,567 continued construction of the North-South Highway in Karabakh, Armenia, as well as the construction of four schools in the country's earthquake zone
cancelled 2001 $0 [22] Armenia Fund and its 19 worldwide affiliates cancelled the 2001 Telethon in solidarity with their American brothers and sisters over the tragic events of September 11, 2001
5th 2002 $5,000,000[23] $650,000 continued construction of the North-South Highway in Karabakh
6th 2003 $6,000,000[24] to build north–south "Backbone" Highway in Karabakh
7th 2004 $11,400,000[25] to complete the north–south "Backbone" Highway in Karabakh
8th 2005 $7,770,000[25] revitalizing war torn region of Mardakert (Karabakh) - including renovation of a regional hospital, construction of a water pipeline network, agricultural development, and the construction of new local school.
9th 2006 $13,700,000[25] revitalizing war torn region of Hadrut (Karabakh) - including reconstruction of a regional hospital, a series of new schools, new water pipelines and distribution networks, as well a comprehensive regional agricultural development program
10th 2007 $15,275,000[26] revitalizing Armenia's rural villages in Tavush Region (part of Village Development Program)
11th 2008 $35,000,000[27] core infrastructure projects in remote areas of Armenia and Karabakh (Martuni, Mardakert, Hadrut)
12th 2009 $15,875,043[28] $1,800,000 development of war-ravaged town of Shushi
13th 2010 $20,862,733[29] €1,300,000 development of modern drinking and irrigation water systems in Karabakh's 200 villages
14th 2011 $31,000,000[30] €1,350,000 vital water and rural development projects in Armenia
15th 2012 $21,400,000[31] €1,425,000[32] "community centers – multi-purpose structures housing a health care center, a library, a modern computer room with internet access, an auditorium for trainings, town hall meetings and cultural events, as well as a village administration and accounting office."
16th 2013 $22,661,372 €1,460,000[33] Vartenis to Martakert Highway which will connect the northern regions of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
17th 2014 $12,399,550[34] €1,370,000[35] Vartenis to Martakert Highway which will connect the northern regions of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
18th 2015 $10,378,465 Construct single-family homes for families in Nagorno Karabakh who have five or more children and lack adequate housing.
19th 2016 $15,428,777[36] €1,340,000[37] Rebuilding of war-ravaged communities in Nagorno Karabakh, emergency and disaster preparedness for Nagorno Karabakh, and the construction of homes for Nagorno Karabakh families with multiple children.
20th 2017 $12,505,456 support of agricultural-development projects in Nagorno-Karabakh
21st 2018 $11,109,633 variety of large-scale development projects, including introduction of latest field irrigation and solar power technologies to Armenia's and Artsakh's economically depressed areas
22nd 2019 $9,856,100 fresh infrastructure projects in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and Armenia
Special Edition October 10, 2020 $30 Million[38] For humanitarian needs of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) due to the recent 2020 war
23rd 2020 $22.9 Million[39] Provided a critical lifeline to Armenians who have been left homeless and destitute by Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) aggressions.
24th 2021 $12 Million[40] For Humanitarian, Civilian and Infrastructural Relief
25th (Anniversary) 2022 $64,820,000 Helping displaced families across Armenia and Artsakh; To mobilize the worldwide Armenian community, calling for continued support of the ongoing recovery of the homeland while reporting on projects and programs that were implemented in the course of the past 12 months.

See also

References
  1. "Newspaper: Armenia government to continue funding "Hayastan" Fund". news.am.
  2. Nations Abroad: diaspora politics and international relations in the Former Soviet Union By Neil J. Melvin, Charles King - Page 92
  3. "Armeniafundusa.org: ARMENIA FUND USA THANKS UNITED ARMENIAN FUND FOR HUMANITARIAN AID SHIPPING ASSISTANCE".
  4. "Armeniafundusa.org: Armenia Fund Worldwide".
  5. "Armeniafund.org: Corporate Board". Archived from the original on 2005-12-31. Retrieved 2013-02-04.
  6. "Corporate Board | ArmeniaFund". www.armeniafund.org. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  7. "Kirk Kerkorian Passes Away at 98". Asbarez.com. 2015-06-16. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  8. "Kim Kardashian West donates $1 million to the Armenia Fund". FOX 11. 2020-10-10. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  9. Stuart, Gwynedd (2020-11-12). "Cher Is the Latest High-Profile Person to Urge Americans to Pay Attention to the Crisis in Artsakh". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  10. Shafer, Ellise (2020-10-11). "Kim Kardashian West Donates $1 Million to Armenia Fund Amid Ongoing Conflict With Azerbaijan". Variety. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  11. "With first new songs in 15 years, System of a Down pleads for international aid to support Armenia - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  12. "System Of A Down Has Raised Nearly $1 Million For Armenia With New Singles". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  13. Hakobyan, Gohar (2007-12-07). "«ԿԱՊՈՒՏԱԿ ՍԵՎԱՆԻ» ՍՊԱՍՈՒՀԻՆ՝ ԴՊՐՈՑԻ ՏՆՕՐԵՆ". Aravot.am. Archived from the original on 2011-01-10.
  14. Srbinovski, Aleksandar (2022-03-20). "What Is Going On at the Armenia Fund?". The National Interest. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  15. "The Director of "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund Has Been Arrested". SNS.am. 2018-07-03. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25.
  16. ""Հայաստան համահայկական հիմնադրամի" նախկին գործադիր տնօրեն Արա Վարդանյանը 10 մլն դրամ գրավի դիմաց ազատ կարձակվի". Hetq.am (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  17. "Արա Վարդանյանը գրավի դիմաց ազատ է արձակվել". archive.ph. Archived from the original on 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  18. "Կալանավորվել է "Հայաստան" հիմնադրամի նախկին տնօրեն Արա Վարդանյանը". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  19. "Telethon 1997". Archived from the original on 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  20. "Telethon 1998". Archived from the original on 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  21. "$5 Million Raised During Armenia Fund Telethon". Asbarez.
  22. "Telethon 2001 cancellation". Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  23. "Armenia Fund - armeniapedia.org". www.armeniapedia.org.
  24. "Telethon 2003".
  25. "Hayastan All Armenian Fund - We Are Our Borders". www.himnadram.org.
  26. "Telethon 2007". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  27. "Telethon 2008". Archived from the original on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  28. "Armenia Fund Telethon 2009 | ArmeniaFund". www.armeniafund.org.
  29. "Telethon 2010". Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  30. "Telethon 2011".
  31. "$21.4 Million Raised at Armenia Fund Telethon 2012". Massis. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03.
  32. "Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's Pan-European Phoneathon raises over 1.4 million euros". Public Radio of Armenia.
  33. "Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's Phonathon raises €1,460 million". PanArmenian.
  34. "Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's 17th Telethon Raised $12.4 million". ArmenPress. 28 November 2014.
  35. "Over 1.37 MEUR donation pledges registered during Phonethon 2014 with support of Orange France". Panorama. 28 November 2014.
  36. "Over $15 million raised and promised in Hyastan All Armenian Fund's 19th Telethon". ARKA.
  37. "Hayastan Fund's 2016 Phoneathon raises 1.34 million euros". Public Radio of Armenia.
  38. Shafar, Ellise (October 11, 2020). "Kim Kardashian West Donates $1 Million to Armenia Fund Amid Ongoing Conflict With Azerbaijan". Variety.com. Variety. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  39. "Armenia Fund Thanksgiving Day Telethon Raises $22.9 Million". Asbarez.com. 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  40. "Over $12 Million Raised for Humanitarian, Civilian and Infrastructural Relief During Armenia Fund Telethon – Asbarez.com". November 26, 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
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