The Jirair S. and Elizabeth Hovnanian Family Foundation concentrates its support on Armenian-focused charitable causes, funding religious institutions, education, health care (notably ophthalmic services), and orphan relief tied to the Armenian community. Grants are large and targeted to a small number of beneficiaries, often repeatedly supporting the same organizations or closely related projects, with both U.S.-based and international (Armenia) impact. The foundation appears motivated by preserving Armenian faith, culture, and wellbeing through institutional support rather than broad-based philanthropy.
Highly concentrated giving: a few large grants totaling the majority of payout, repeat or closely related grantees, mix of domestic and Armenia-focused international funding, preference for institutional operating or program support rather than many small awards.
The Jirair S and Elizabeth Hovnanian Family Foundation Inc centers its giving on Armenian institutions and services, with repeated unrestricted grants to schools, churches, relief organizations, and eye-care programs. In the recent grants list, Armenian Sisters Academy received $300,000 in 2024 and another $44,500 in 2026, while the Armenian Eyecare Project received $201,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023. Those gifts show a pattern of support that reaches both education and health care within the Armenian community. Religious and community preservation also appear consistently in the foundation’s portfolio. St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Ch received $160,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2023, and Holy Trinity Armenian Church received $70,000 in 2024, $60,050 in 2023, and $50,000 in 2026. The foundation also supported Society for Orphan Armenian Relief with $149,000 in 2024 and $39,500 in 2023. Its grants are generally flexible, with “unrestricted” appearing throughout the recent record.
Education is a major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $300,000 in 2024 and $44,500 in 2026 to Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor, Pennsylvania, both unrestricted awards. Health-related support is visible through eye-care work. The foundation awarded $201,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023 to Armenian Eyecare Project in San Dimas, California, again as unrestricted support. Church and religious-institution funding is another clear area. St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Ch in Philadelphia received $160,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2023, while Holy Trinity Armenian Church in North Hollywood received $70,000 in 2024, $60,050 in 2023, and $50,000 in 2026. Relief for children and families appears in grants to Society for Orphan Armenian Relief, including $149,000 in 2024 and $39,500 in 2023.
The foundation’s recent grants are relatively large, with a typical award size of $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $35,000 at the median, and $70,000 at the 75th percentile. The record shows repeat giving across years rather than one-off awards: Armenian Sisters Academy, Armenian Eyecare Project, St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Ch, Holy Trinity Armenian Church, and Society for Orphan Armenian Relief all appear multiple times. Grants are listed as unrestricted, indicating flexible support rather than project-only funding. The foundation also funds individuals: False, and makes program-related investments: False.
$384K
$6.8M
$876K
$516K
Most grants fall between $25K and $70K, with a median of $35K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$35K
75th Percentile
$70K
About 24% of grants go to recipients in PA.
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Notable grantees: Armenian Sisters Academy, Armenian EyeCare Project, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, Society for Orphan Armenian Relief
Although the foundation is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, its grants are national, with recipients in 38 U.S. grants all located in the United States. Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, and many awards land in the Philadelphia area, including Radnor and Philadelphia itself. California is another recurring state, with grants to San Dimas, North Hollywood, Fresno, Northridge, and Chatsworth. New York and New Jersey also appear in the recent record, including New York, Great Neck, Haddonfield, and Hamilton.
Its recent grants center on Armenian-focused organizations, especially schools, churches, relief groups, and eye-care programs. Examples in the record include Armenian Sisters Academy, Armenian Eyecare Project, St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Ch, and Society for Orphan Armenian Relief.
Yes. The recent grants list labels its awards as unrestricted, including grants such as $300,000 to Armenian Sisters Academy in 2024 and $201,000 to Armenian Eyecare Project in 2024.
The typical recent grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $35,000 at the median, and $70,000 at the 75th percentile. The record also includes larger awards, such as $300,000 and $201,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Armenian Sisters Academy, Armenian Eyecare Project, St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Ch, Holy Trinity Armenian Church, and Society for Orphan Armenian Relief.
Pennsylvania receives the most grants by count. In the recent record, that includes recipients in Radnor, Philadelphia, and Bala Cynwyd, with the Philadelphia area appearing especially often.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARMENIAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF PHILADELPHIA | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY | Radnor, PA | $44,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GROUNDS FOR SCULTPURE | HAMILTON, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRCITED |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $23,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | IRVING, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THERAPISTS FOR AMERICA INC | GREAT NECK, NY | $17,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PERKINS CENTER FOR ARTS | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION | HADDONFIELD, NJ | $4,600 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JAWS YOUTH FUND INC | WEST DEPTFORD, NJ | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN EYECARE PROJECT | SAN DIMAS, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF PHILADELPHIA | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $65,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY | Radnor, PA | $60,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GROUNDS FOR SCULTPURE | HAMILTON, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | IRVING, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION | HADDONFIELD, NJ | $21,800 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THERAPISTS FOR AMERICA INC | GREAT NECK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PERKINS CENTER FOR ARTS | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY | Radnor, PA | $300,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN EYECARE PROJECT | SAN DIMAS, CA | $201,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $160,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SOCIETY FOR ORPHAN ARMENIAN RELIEF | RADNOR, PA | $149,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $70,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HIDDEN ROADS INITIATIVE | FRESNO, CA | $35,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRONTLINE THERAPISTS | NORTHRIDGE, CA | $35,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION | HADDONFIELD, NJ | $31,700 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | IRVING, TX | $31,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GROUNDS FOR SCULTPURE | HAMILTON, NJ | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PERKINS CENTER FOR ARTS | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIA EYECARE PROJECT | SAN DIMAS, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY | Radnor, PA | $85,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $60,050 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PHILADELPHIA MUSUEM OF ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SOCIETY FOR ORPHANED ARMENIAN RELIEF | RADNOR, PA | $39,500 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | IRVING, TX | $25,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION | HADDONFIELD, NJ | $21,200 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ALL FOR ARMENIA | CHATSWORTH, CA | $17,586 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHOP | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SAINT STEPANOS ARMENIAN CHURCH | LONG BRANCH, NJ | $250 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
ARMENIAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF PHILADELPHIA
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY
$44,500UNRESTRICTED
ARMENIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND INC
$30,000UNRESTRCITED
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$20,000UNRESTRICTED
THERAPISTS FOR AMERICA INC
$17,500UNRESTRICTED
PERKINS CENTER FOR ARTS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION
$4,600UNRESTRICTED
JAWS YOUTH FUND INC
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
ARMENIAN EYECARE PROJECT
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
ARMENIAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF PHILADELPHIA
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH
$65,000UNRESTRICTED
ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY
$60,000UNRESTRICTED
ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
GROUNDS FOR SCULTPURE
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION
$21,800UNRESTRICTED
THERAPISTS FOR AMERICA INC
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
PERKINS CENTER FOR ARTS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY
$300,000UNRESTRICTED
ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH
$160,000UNRESTRICTED
HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH
$70,000UNRESTRICTED
HIDDEN ROADS INITIATIVE
$35,000UNRESTRICTED
FRONTLINE THERAPISTS
$35,000UNRESTRICTED
JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION
$31,700UNRESTRICTED
PERKINS CENTER FOR ARTS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
ARMENIAN SISTERS ACADEMY
$85,000UNRESTRICTED
HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH
$60,050UNRESTRICTED
ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
JOSEPH LACROCE FOUNDATION
$21,200UNRESTRICTED
ALL FOR ARMENIA
$17,586UNRESTRICTED
CHOP
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
SAINT STEPANOS ARMENIAN CHURCH
$250UNRESTRICTED