Armenian Educational Foundation

History:
A Strong Foundation		The generosity of dedicated individuals
The organization's commitment to Armenian youth and the pursuit of higher learning was first voiced by its founding members: Harry Carian, Arshag Dickranian, Ben Kazarian, Mard Peloian, Alex Pilibos and Arpaksat Setrakian. After the official establishment of the AEF, the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were written and the following four objectives were set down; to render financial assistance to Armenian schools, irrespective of their religious affiliation; to assist needy students of Armenian parentage in acquiring an education in schools, colleges and universities; to form and to aid in the establishment of Armenian schools and cultural centers; and to promote Armenian studies and research programs in American colleges and universities.		In general, funding for the AEF comes from endowments, such as bequests and trusts, and donations. In keeping with the Bylaws, all resources received and expended by the AEF are overseen by the Board of Directors. The organization was set up with an initial contribution of more than $140,000 from its founding members. Adding to this seed money were two major contributions received in the late 1950s. The first was a land endowment from Sophia Hagopian, later called the Levon and Sophia Hagopian Educational Fund. The second was a living trust established in the name of Paul and Elizabeth Der Bedrosian. Over the years, ther organization has also received noteworthy contributions from the Tracinda Corporation and the Tufenkian family, and more recently from George Jorjorian As well as Manoog and Yeghia Movsisian.
Armenian Schools Around the Globe
As the pioneer of the Armenian educational movement, the AEF is credited with building and supporting numerous Armenian day schools around the world. From the early years to now, the AEF has led the campaign to discover new ideas and approaches which will result in the improvement of education for Armenian students.		With these and other resources, the AEF has received about $2.5 million in endowments and contributions since its inception. However, fund-raising is an ongoing effort. The AEF is always seeking new ways to strengthen its financial base, while continuing to rely on the generosity of its members, private individuals and corporations.

The Early Years. During the first ten years, the AEF sought to aid Armenian schools in countries friendly to the United States. The first two schools built by the organization were the Levon and Sophia Hagopian Armenian School in Athens, Greece and the Levon and Sophia Hagopian College in Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon. Students and schools in Syria, Iran and Italy also benefited from the support of the AEF. Interestingly, it took more than a decade to convince Armenian-American community leaders that a permanent Armenian day school in the United States could thrive. Fortunately, in the 1960s, attitudes and opinions gradually changed as the Armenians of America experienced a reawakening of their national identity.
		The Birth of Armenian Schools in America
Seizing the opportunity, the AEF organized fact-finding trips around the United States targeting primary Armenian centers. The message voiced by young Armenian-American parents was loud and clear, "We want to have the benefit of sending our children to Armenian schools." Committed to fill this void, the AEF promised to build the first day school in America.		In 1965, the AEF participated in the building of the first Armenian day school in the United States: the Armenian Mesrobian School in Pico Rivera, California. This location was chosen because of its strong local community and because of the overwhelming support of parents.
		Among the many day schools the AEF has supported over the years are the Holy Martyr's Ferrahian Elementary and High School, Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian High School, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School and Armenian American International College.
The AEF Chair at UCLA and New Textbooks
Since the mid-1980s, the AEF has broadened its scope of activities. In 1986, for example, it established the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair of Modern Armenian History at the University of California, Los Angeles with a half a million dollars collected from its board members, general membership and friends. In 1993, the AEF provided funding for the printing and publishing of Armenian textbooks prepared for local day schools under the auspices of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
Symposium and Community Outreach
Dedicated to its commitment to community outreach, the AEF began organizing in the 1970s symposiums on topics related to the challenges and curricula of the Armenian day schools. The first symposium was held in Los Angeles, California in 1971. Among those participants were the principals of the local Armenian schools, as well as members of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Relief Society and Armenian Missionary Association of America. In keeping with this spirit of communication and cooperation, a second symposium was held the following year in Detroit, Michigan; a third was convened in Los Angeles in 1973; a fourth was gathered in Toronto, Canada in 1981; and a fifth was held in Los Angeles in 1994.
		Help for Armenia
		The AEF was propelled into action in December of 1988 when a devastating earthquake struck Armenia. An emergency meeting of the AEF membership was immediately held to raise funds for recovery assistance; more than $140,000 was collected at this time from Elize Merdinian and individual members. These funds were earmarked for the reconstruction and building of new schools in Armenia. In 1990, this fund-raising effort resulted in the construction of an elementary school and kindergarten in the village of Krashen - a region severely stricken by the quake.

To date, the AEF remains the only organization which has attempted to unite the heads of the day schools and community in an open and independent forum.
Public Service
The AEF has not only been the leading educational force in the Diaspora, it has also provided speakers for cultural events, lobbied for the allocation of public funds for Armenian schools and sent representatives to Europe, the Middle East and Armenia - creating a vital link between the Armenians of the United States and their brothers and sisters around the world. Among the other community-oriented activities of the AEF are continued fund-raising events and the annual scholarship award reception.

The good works of the AEF have brought about an increase in the number of young professionals whose academic careers have in some significant way been touched by the organization.