The Manoukian Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,115,376 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales

Contact Details

Address: St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, 13b Cranley Gardens, London SW7 3BB

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Contact details are not publicly available for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Manoukian Charitable Foundation was registered as a UK charity on 12 December 2000 (charity number 1084065). Founded by philanthropists Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, the foundation distributed £1,115,376 in charitable grants in 2024, with total income of £947,461. The foundation operates as a strategic grant-making trust that identifies potential beneficiaries through the personal experience and knowledge of its trustees and their professional advisers. The Manoukian family has a long history of major philanthropic investments internationally, including a landmark $30 million gift to UCLA Health Sciences and £11 million to the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School in California. The foundation is closely associated with St. Yeghiche Armenian Church in South Kensington, London, which the Manoukians purchased and renovated in 1988-2001.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation supports general charitable purposes across multiple sectors:

• Social services and relief - Supporting organizations providing social welfare services
• Education and training - Educational institutions and programs
• Medical research - Healthcare and medical research initiatives
• Religious activities - Particularly Armenian Church and Armenian causes
• Culture and the arts - Cultural initiatives and artistic programs
• Environmental issues - Environmental protection and sustainability projects

The foundation has a special focus on the promotion of the Armenian Church and Armenian causes globally, reflecting the founders' heritage and commitment to the Armenian diaspora.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not consider unsolicited requests for support. Organizations not already known to the trustees or their professional advisers are unlikely to receive funding.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Tamar Manoukian - Co-founder and trustee
• Steven Ross Sainfield Press - Trustee
• Dr. Armen Sarkissian - Trustee, former President of Armenia (2018-2022), described as a well-known philanthropist and influential leader with vast business and civic networks. He was a trustee of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the largest Armenian charity worldwide, and is very active in humanitarian and charitable projects.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The foundation employs 2 staff members.

Dr. Sarkissian and Vatche Manoukian have previously collaborated on educational initiatives, including partnerships with Harvard's Kennedy School of Government for the “Manoukian Public Service Fellowship” and “Manoukian Executive Education for Armenia” programs.

How to Apply to The Manoukian Charitable Foundation

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Manoukian Charitable Foundation does not consider unsolicited requests for support. According to their official Charity Commission records, the foundation “identifies potential donees through the personal experience and knowledge of the Trustees and their professional advisers.”

Grant decisions are made at the trustees' discretion based on their personal networks, professional connections, and strategic philanthropic priorities. Organizations are typically approached by the foundation rather than applying to it.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies beneficiaries through:

• Trustee networks: The three trustees - Tamar Manoukian, Steven Ross Sainfield Press, and Dr. Armen Sarkissian - identify organizations through their personal experience and professional connections. Dr. Sarkissian, in particular, has extensive international networks in business, civic, and humanitarian sectors.

• Professional advisers: The foundation works with professional advisers who recommend potential grant recipients based on alignment with the foundation's charitable purposes.

• Armenian community connections: Given the foundation's association with St. Yeghiche Armenian Church and its special focus on Armenian causes, organizations working within the Armenian diaspora community may be more likely to come to the trustees' attention through existing community networks.

• Strategic sectors: Organizations operating in the foundation's priority areas (social services, education, medical research, religious activities, culture and arts, and environmental issues) within England and Wales may be considered if they come to the trustees' attention through established channels.

Important note: This is not a funder that grant writers can directly approach. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values may be useful:

Alignment with Trustee Priorities:

• Organizations in the foundation's stated priority areas: social services, education, medical research, religious activities, culture and arts, and environmental causes
• Particular alignment with Armenian Church initiatives and Armenian diaspora causes
• Projects that reflect the founders' demonstrated interests in education, medical research, and cultural preservation

Scale and Impact:

• The foundation distributed over £1.1 million in charitable grants in 2024, suggesting they support substantial projects
• The Manoukian family's international giving (including multi-million dollar gifts to UCLA and AGBU) indicates interest in significant, high-impact initiatives

Geographic Focus:

• The foundation operates throughout England and Wales
• However, given the trustees' international connections, there may be interest in projects with global reach, particularly those serving Armenian communities worldwide

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not accessible for direct applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and should not be included in standard prospect lists for grant applications
• Invitation-only model: The foundation proactively identifies beneficiaries through trustee networks and professional advisers
• Significant annual giving: With over £1 million in annual distributions, this is a substantial funder when they do make grants
• Armenian focus: Strong emphasis on Armenian Church and Armenian causes globally, reflected in the foundation's association with St. Yeghiche Armenian Church
• Broad charitable remit: While not accessible through applications, the foundation does support a wide range of causes including social services, education, medical research, religious activities, culture, arts, and environmental issues
• High-level trustee connections: Trustee Dr. Armen Sarkissian has extensive international networks in humanitarian, business, and civic sectors
• Strategic philanthropy: The foundation takes a strategic, targeted approach to grant-making based on trustee expertise rather than responding to external requests

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Robert F. And Gina Goldhammer Memorial Foundation Limited
• The Vandervell Foundation
• The Edgar Lee Foundation
• The Derek Raphael Charitable Trust
• Adenfirst Limited
• The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation
• The Stevenson Family's Charitable Trust
• Cannon Charitable Trust
• The Sir Sigmund Sternberg Charitable Foundation
• The Schroder Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Manoukian Charitable Foundation (1084065). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1084065&subid=0
• Giving is Great: The Manoukian Charitable Foundation Charity Factsheet
• Armenian Church UK: St Yeghiche London. https://armenianchurch.org.uk/the-diocese/parish/st-yeghiche-london/
• St Yeghiche Church: History of St Yeghiche Church. https://www.styeghiche.org.uk/about-us/history-of-st-yeghiche-church/
• AGBU: “Philanthropist and Businessman Vatche Manoukian Joins AGBU Council of Trustees,”
• UCLA Newsroom: “$30 million gift to UCLA Health Sciences will accelerate research, education and patient care,”
• Armeniapedia: Vatche Manoukian profile. https://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Vatche_Manoukian