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Fund for Armenian Relief Inc

EIN 13-3706646 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FAR IS DEDICATED TO HONORING THE PAST, EMPOWERING THE PRESENT ANDENSURING THE FUTURE FOR PEOPLE IN ARMENIA. FAR GIVES HOPE, GUIDANCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO THOSE IN NEED, EMPOWERING THEM TO CREATE A BETTERPRESENT AND HELPING THEM PAVE THE WAY TO A STRONGER FUTURE. FAR'S VISION IS TO DEVELOP AN EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND RESILIENT ARMENIAN HOMELAND, WHERE PEOPLE ARE THRIVING: LEADING DIGNIFIED LIVES WITH UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND DECENT WORK. THEY ARE PROUD MEMBERS OF A PROGRESSIVE NATION MAKING INDISPENSABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BETTERMENT OF THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD AT LARGE. FAR PROVIDES SHORT TERM EMERGENCY RELIEF AND IMPLEMENTS LONG-TERM PROGRAMS FOR THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIA.IT HELPS THE MOST VULNERABLE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION - CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY - AND PREPARES PROFESSIONALS TO LEAD THEIR NEWLY INDEPENDENT COUNTRY. HEADQUARTERED IN NEW YORK, FAR HAS THREE OFFIC

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
3
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$166,207, executive dir - thru 9/30/24

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (7)
  1. $1.8 million spent. Economic Development Programs - includes expenses that will help stimulate Armenia's economy by providing the people in Armenia the necessary resources to lay a foundation for sustainable employment and development within their communities. FAR has three primary projects focused on economic development, including the multi-faceted Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Program: Developing Thriving Communities (BCPP); Gyumri Information Technology Center (GTech); and Small Business Assistance for the displaced from Artsakh women, displaced people in Yerevan and regions, and beneficiaries of Zinvori Tun rehab center (war veterans)(SBA).
  2. $644,817 spent. Educational programs - PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE/LIVING STIPENDS, AND HOUSING TO ORPHANED STUDENTS AND STUDENTS FROM UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES THROUGHOUT ARMENIA. IN 2022, FAR LAUNCHED AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT CALLED "SUPPORTING STEM EDUCATION IN RURAL ARMENIA." THIS LONG-TERM INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF STEM EDUCATION IN RURAL SCHOOLS ACROSS ALL LEVELS WHILE ALSO NURTURING AND FOSTERING ASPIRING RESEARCHERS AND SCIENTISTS. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT IS TO UPLIFT THE LEVEL OF STEM EDUCATION IN RURAL ARMENIA. FAR RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS IN DRIVING INNOVATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT. BY FOCUSING ON THESE CRITICAL DISCIPLINES, THE PROJECT AIMS TO EQUIP STUDENTS IN RURAL AREAS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO EXCEL IN THESE FIELDS.
  3. $1.6 million spent. Children's Programs - Through these programs, FAR advocates for and assists the at-risk children and youth of Armenia. FAR's two primary projects in child protection are the FAR Children's Center and the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP), both of which help children in need. This program includes crisis intervention and rehabilitation for children by providing financial assistance, medical and psychological care, nutritious food, clothing, and educational and recreational materials as well as costs of renovating and furnishing the homeless children's center in Armenia.
  4. $991,214 spent. Emergency Needs program
  5. $459,597 spent. Seniors program
  6. $236,610 spent. Healthcare programs
  7. Emergency Needs Programs - These programs provide immediate relief to those in need in Armenia: assistance was provided to over 400 displaced families settled in Tavush marz. Assistance included firewood distribution, Wash packages (monthly), Linen and bedding, kitchen supplies and household equipment. In sisian, assistance to renovate houses purchased by the displaced, includes seed funding for house renovations and furnishings. Senior Programs - These programs provide access to immediate needs like food, shelter, medical care, and social support to seniors in Armenia. FAR's Soup Kitchens Program and Vanadzor Old Age Home (VOAH) help provide necessary support for vulnerable populations. Healthcare Programs - Armenia's healthcare sector has been a primary focus since FAR's early days when we started advocating for institutionalized medical education and professional development. Healthcare programs have since expanded and adapted over time to fit the growing and changing needs of health in Armenia today, tackling issues critical to progress and development like childhood malnutrition, children's cognitive development, and maternal health. FAR has six primary projects that focus on health-the Continuing Medical Education Program (CME); Nurses Training Program; BCPP's Health and child Nutrition Project; and the hypertension management project. Geriatrics - In 2022, FAR embarked on a new project aimed at supporting the development of Geriatric Medicine in the country. This initiative recognizes the growing needs and challenges associated with the aging population and seeks to enhance the quality of care and services provided to elderly individuals.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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