Endowment Stories

Through the generosity of donors who established hundreds of endowment funds with ACEF generating significant distributions, ACEF has enabled numerous churches and organizations achieve their goals and fulfill their needs. Below are just a few examples demonstrating the impact on church life and our community.

Initiation of and Development of the Armenian Church Diocese website

A $1,000,000 dollar endowment to benefit the Diocese was specifically designated to fund the initial development of the Diocesan Website and to provide an annual source of income for maintenance of the website. This endowment ensures that funds will always be available for the maintenance, upkeep and expansion of the website, thus eliminating the need to draw from operating funds each year in order to continue this important intiative.

Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) Student Scholarships in Armenia created by the Siranush Matevosian Fund

A one-and-a-half million dollar endowment to benefit the Fund for Armenian Relief was established to provide undergraduate and graduate scholarships to students attending Yerevan State University. Recipients must be from financially needy families and maintain a continuous 4.0 GPA. The annual distribution from this endowment allows 50 students, who otherwise would not be able to attend an institution of higher learning, to pursue their education and, upon completing their studies, become productive members of society.

Diocesan religious education programs funded by the Edward & Helen Mardigian Fund

A $100,000-dollar endowment to benefit the Diocese was designated to fund Religious Education. This endowment provides an annual income for programs involving teacher training, seminars, preparation of new and modern textbooks and associated publications, preparation and use of audio-visual materials which reduces the amount needed to be drawn from general operating funds.

St. Gregory’s (NY) operating budget supported by the Lionel S. Galstaun Endowment Fund

A $366,000-dollar endowment to benefit St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church in White Plains, NY was established for the general operation and maintenance of the Church. The annual income from this endowment is included in the general operating budget of the Church.

Armenian Cemetery (WI) benefits from the Holy Resurrection Armenian Church Endowment Fund

An $80,000 endowment was established by the Holy Resurrection Armenian Church to benefit Soorp Haroutune Armenian Cemetery. The annual income from this endowment is used for the upkeep and maintenance of the only Armenian cemetery in the United States.

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary supported by the Arthur Dadian Memorial Fund

A $288,000-dollar endowment was established to support the operation and maintenance of the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, NY. The annual distribution from this endowment is an additional source of income which is included in the general operating budget of the Seminary.

Armenian Church of the Holy Translators (MA) St. Vartan Camp Scholarships created by the Jack Shemligan Memorial Fund

An endowment fund was established to receive in-lieu-of-flowers donations in memory of Jack Shemligan (current balance $9,700 dollars). The annual distribution from this fund provides a one-week scholarship to St. Vartan Camp for a child from the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators (MA).

Armenian-American Veterans Organization of Lowell Invests in ACEF

After initially meeting with our team to learn more about ACEF and how the fund’s investing as a community structure helps maximize financial returns, the Armenian American Veterans Organization determined that it enhanced their investment needs. The organization, which was founded by several Armenian-Americans in Lowell, MA, in 1947, sought to aid those who served our country’s military, as well as remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Today, the group continues to provide assistance to veterans hospitals and the people they serve, never forgetting their Armenian heritage nor the freedoms for which they fought.

For information on establishing an endowment, please contact Berjouhi Sahadin at acef@acefinvest.org or 212-686-0710.

ACEF’s endowments support the entire Armenian community, here and abroad.