The Edward & Helen Mardigian Foundation concentrates its support on Armenian community and religious institutions—particularly relief and the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church—while also funding a small number of local Michigan priorities such as the University of Michigan and animal rescue. Grants are large and operational in nature, indicating a preference for core/general support rather than project-restricted funding. The foundation shows repeated, multi-hundred-thousand-dollar commitments to the same Armenian organizations, signaling long-term, relationship-based giving.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants with operational/general support emphasis; repeat multi-year or multi-grant support to a small set of core grantees (especially Armenian organizations).
The Edward & Helen Mardigian Foundation’s giving is anchored by repeated large commitments to Armenian community infrastructure and religious institutions. In 2025, it gave $1,260,000 to Fund for Armenian Relief for daily operations and $600,000 to the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church for general support, continuing a pattern of major operating grants to the same institutions in prior years. That emphasis points to a funder that favors institutional stability over short-term project funding. Armenian organizations appear throughout the recent grant record, alongside a smaller set of Michigan-based civic, cultural, and human-service grantees. The foundation supported St Johns Armenian Church, Armenian General Benevolent, Armenian Apostolic Society, St Nersess Armenian Seminary, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research. It also made grants to the University of Michigan, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Zoological Society, Michigan Animal Rescue League, Fuller Center for Housing, and Michigan Humane Society. The mix suggests a regional foundation with a strong identity around Armenian communal life and a secondary local portfolio in Michigan.
In Armenian humanitarian relief, the foundation gave $1,260,000 to Fund for Armenian Relief for daily operations and $35,000 to Children of Armenia Fund Inc. Both grants point to support for organizations working in Armenia-related service and community assistance. For Armenian religious and educational institutions, it backed the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church with $600,000 for general support and gave $10,000 to St Nersess Armenian Seminary. It also supported St Johns Armenian Church with $118,000 for daily operations in 2023 and $7,000 in 2025. Its Michigan portfolio includes $500,000 to the University of Michigan for daily operations, $260,000 to Michigan Animal Rescue League for daily operations, and $25,000 to the Detroit Institute of Arts. The foundation also supported Detroit Zoological Society, Fuller Center for Housing, and Michigan Humane Society.
Typical grants cluster around a modest middle: the 25th percentile is $2,500, the median is $5,500, and the 75th percentile is $33,750. The recent record also includes a small set of much larger operating gifts, which lifts the overall annual total. Several recipients reappear across 2023 and 2025, including Fund for Armenian Relief, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, St Johns Armenian Church, Armenian General Benevolent, Armenian Apostolic Society, St Nersess Armenian Seminary, and Detroit Zoological Society. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$2.5M
$41.5M
$3.7M
$3M
Most grants fall between $3K and $34K, with a median of $6K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$6K
75th Percentile
$34K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Notable grantees: Fund for Armenian Relief, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern Diocese of the Armen), University of Michigan, Michigan Animal Rescue League
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States. Michigan accounts for 63% of grants given to the foundation’s HQ state, and Massachusetts is the top state by grant count overall. Recent recipient cities include New York, NY; Southfield, MI; Pontiac, MI; Ann Arbor, MI; Rochester, MN; and Belmont, MA. The distribution shows a regional base in Michigan with repeated giving to Armenian-related organizations in New York and Massachusetts.
The recent record is centered on Armenian community and religious institutions. Repeated grantees include Fund for Armenian Relief, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, St Johns Armenian Church, Armenian General Benevolent, Armenian Apostolic Society, St Nersess Armenian Seminary, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research.
The 25th percentile grant is $2,500, the median is $5,500, and the 75th percentile is $33,750. The recent files also include several much larger operating grants, including seven-figure support for Armenian institutions.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear in both 2023 and 2025, including Fund for Armenian Relief, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, St Johns Armenian Church, Armenian General Benevolent, Armenian Apostolic Society, St Nersess Armenian Seminary, and Detroit Zoological Society. The repeated pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
Recent Michigan recipients include the University of Michigan, Michigan Animal Rescue League, Detroit Institute of Arts, Fuller Center for Housing, Detroit Zoological Society, Michigan Humane Society, and Make a Wish Foundation of Michigan. These grants sit alongside the foundation’s stronger Armenian institutional focus.
No. The recipient country distribution shows 54 grants, all in the US.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF | NEW YORK, NY | $2,010,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| EASTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN EAS | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $65,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC SOCIETY | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $38,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ROYAL OAK, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE | ROCHESTER, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ST NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY | ARMONK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| MICHIGAN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE | PONTIAC, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| CHILDREN OF ARMENIA FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ST JOHNS ARMENIAN CHURCH | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| NTL ASSOC FOR ARM STUDIES RESEARCH | BELMONT, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| KNIGHTS OF THE VARTAN INC | BIRMINGHAM, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY | BINGHAM FARMS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| FORGOTTEN HARVEST | OAK PARK, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| CHILD SAFE MICHIGAN | ROYAL OAK, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY HUMANE SOCIETY | Harbor Springs, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ARMENIAN TREE PROJECT | WOBURN, MA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| WALLOON LAKE ASSOCIATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ST JOHN WOMENS GUILD | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| THE PAROS FOUNDATION | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| TIP OF THE MITT WATERSHED COUNCIL | PETOSKEY, MI | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $1,200 | 2026 | GENERAL DONATION |
| FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF | NEW YORK, NY | $1,260,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF DAILY OPERATIONS |
| EASTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN EAS | NEW YORK, NY | $600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC SOCIETY | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $38,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE | ROCHESTER, MN | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| Detroit Institute of Arts | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| MICHIGAN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE | PONTIAC, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ROYAL OAK, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| CHILDREN OF ARMENIA FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ST NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| NTL ASSOC FOR ARM STUDIES RESEARCH | BELMONT, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ST JOHNS ARMENIAN CHURCH | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY | BINGHAM FARMS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| CHILD SAFE MICHIGAN | ROYAL OAK, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ARMENIAN TREE PROJECT | WOBURN, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ARMENIAN EYE CARE PROJECT | SAN DIMAS, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| WALLOON LAKE ASSOCIATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| TIP OF THE MITT WATERSHED COUNCIL | PETOSKEY, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| PAWS WITH A CAUSE | WAYLAND, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY HUMANE SOCIETY | Harbor Springs, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| AGBU Alex Marie Manoogian | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
| ST JOHN WOMENS GUILD | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION |
MAYO CLINIC
$100,000GENERAL DONATION
EASTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN EAS
$100,000GENERAL DONATION
ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT
$65,000GENERAL DONATION
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC SOCIETY
$38,000GENERAL DONATION
GENERAL DONATION
GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE
$25,000GENERAL DONATION
MICHIGAN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE
$25,000GENERAL DONATION
FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING
$20,000GENERAL DONATION
ST JOHNS ARMENIAN CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL DONATION
NTL ASSOC FOR ARM STUDIES RESEARCH
$10,000GENERAL DONATION
KNIGHTS OF THE VARTAN INC
$10,000GENERAL DONATION
MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY
$5,000GENERAL DONATION
CHILD SAFE MICHIGAN
$5,000GENERAL DONATION
ARMENIAN TREE PROJECT
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
WALLOON LAKE ASSOCIATION
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
ST JOHN WOMENS GUILD
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
THE PAROS FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL DONATION
TIP OF THE MITT WATERSHED COUNCIL
$1,500GENERAL DONATION
EASTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN EAS
$600,000GENERAL DONATION
MAYO CLINIC
$100,000GENERAL DONATION
ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT
$65,000GENERAL DONATION
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC SOCIETY
$38,000GENERAL DONATION
GIFT OF LIFE TRANSPLANT HOUSE
$35,000GENERAL DONATION
Detroit Institute of Arts
$25,000GENERAL DONATION
MICHIGAN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE
$25,000GENERAL DONATION
FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING
$20,000GENERAL DONATION
NTL ASSOC FOR ARM STUDIES RESEARCH
$10,000GENERAL DONATION
ST JOHNS ARMENIAN CHURCH
$7,000GENERAL DONATION
CHILD SAFE MICHIGAN
$5,000GENERAL DONATION
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN
$5,000GENERAL DONATION
ARMENIAN TREE PROJECT
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
ARMENIAN EYE CARE PROJECT
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
WALLOON LAKE ASSOCIATION
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
TIP OF THE MITT WATERSHED COUNCIL
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
AGBU Alex Marie Manoogian
$2,500GENERAL DONATION
ST JOHN WOMENS GUILD
$2,500GENERAL DONATION