Manoogian Simone Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9,504,926 (2024)
• Total Assets: $20+ million
• Number of Grants: 7 awards (2024), 23 grants (2020)
• Geographic Focus: Michigan, national (with emphasis on Armenian causes), and international (Armenia)
• EIN: 38-1799107
• Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 330 Town Center Dr, Suite 730, Dearborn, MI 48126-2719

Note: The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Contact information for specific inquiries may be found in their Form 990-PF filings.

Overview

The Manoogian Simone Foundation was established in 1962 by prominent Detroit philanthropists Alex and Marie Manoogian in the name of their daughter, Louise Manoogian Simone (1933-2019). As a private foundation with over $20 million in assets, the foundation distributed approximately $9.5 million in grants in 2024 across 7 awards. The foundation's mission centers on supporting Armenian organizations, educational institutions, and human service organizations. Alex Manoogian, founder of Masco Corporation and inventor of the Delta single-handle faucet, built a legacy of philanthropy that continues through this foundation. Louise Manoogian Simone served as president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) from 1989 to 2002 and was instrumental in providing disaster relief after the 1988 Armenian earthquake and supporting Armenia's reconstruction following independence from the Soviet Union.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private foundation making grants through trustee discretion rather than open application programs. Recent documented grants include:

• Major Educational Grants: $1.2 million to University of Michigan Armenian Studies Program for graduate and post-doctoral fellowships, visiting scholars program, international conferences, graduate workshops, Summer Language Institute expansion, and outreach programs
• Research Initiatives: $200,000 initial funding for the Manoogian Simone Research Fund (MSRF) at American University of Armenia (2019-2022)
• Ongoing Support: Armenia Fund Inc. listed among recent grantees

Grant amounts vary significantly, from institutional support grants to major multi-year commitments. The foundation made an average of approximately $1.36 million per grant in 2024 based on total giving divided by number of awards.

Priority Areas

Armenian Causes: The foundation's primary focus includes:

• Armenian educational institutions and scholarship programs
• Armenian cultural preservation and heritage projects
• Armenian Studies programs at universities
• Research initiatives supporting Armenia's economic development
• Reconstruction of hospitals, schools, historical monuments, and cultural centers in Armenia
• Support for the Armenian Apostolic Church

Human Services: Secondary focus on:

• Human service organizations
• Educational initiatives
• Cultural programs

Geographic Priorities:

• Organizations serving the Detroit Armenian community
• National Armenian organizations
• Projects in Armenia
• Academic institutions with Armenian studies programs

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals. They make contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations identified by the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

• Christine M. Simone - Trustee

The foundation was established by Alex Manoogian (1901-1996) and Marie Manoogian (died 1993), and carried forward by their daughter Louise Manoogian Simone. As described by those who worked with Louise: "She was a role model for all who had the good fortune to work with her and watch her brilliant mind at work," according to AGBU President Berge Setrakian.

Diocesan Primate Fr. Daniel Findikyan noted: "Louise wanted above all that the Armenian people be strong as a nation and as a church. A hallmark of her leadership was her decisiveness in times of urgency and her thoughtfulness in times of peace. She worked ceaselessly to sow the seeds of a unified community and culture around the world."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected, typically organizations with which the foundation has pre-existing relationships or that align closely with the family's philanthropic priorities in Armenian causes and human services.

Getting on Their Radar

Given that this is a family foundation with a clear focus on Armenian causes and a history rooted in the Detroit area, organizations might position themselves by:

• Established Track Record: The foundation appears to support organizations with proven impact in Armenian cultural preservation, education, or community development
• Connection to Armenia: Projects directly benefiting Armenia, Armenian heritage, or Armenian diaspora communities align with the foundation's core mission
• Academic Excellence: The foundation has shown particular interest in supporting Armenian Studies programs at major universities, suggesting academic rigor and scholarship are valued
• Strategic Impact: The foundation's support for research initiatives (like the MSRF at American University of Armenia) suggests interest in projects with measurable outcomes that advance Armenia's development

Organizations working in these areas should focus on building credibility and impact in their field, as the foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through research and relationships within the Armenian philanthropic community rather than through formal applications.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a rolling basis through trustee discretion rather than scheduled review cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, the key factors for organizations that have received funding appear to be:

Alignment with Family Legacy: The foundation's grants reflect the Manoogian family's deep commitment to Armenian causes. As demonstrated by Louise Manoogian Simone's leadership of AGBU and her quote that "above all that the Armenian people be strong as a nation and as a church," the foundation prioritizes projects that strengthen Armenian identity, culture, and institutions.

Focus on Education and Research: Major grants have supported:

• Academic programs at prestigious institutions (University of Michigan)
• Research capacity building in Armenia (American University of Armenia)
• Scholarship and fellowship programs for Armenian students and scholars

Cultural and Historical Preservation: Following the family's pattern of supporting projects like the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum (the largest museum of Armenian antiquities in North America), the foundation values preservation of Armenian heritage.

Long-term Institutional Support: Rather than one-time project grants, documented funding suggests the foundation prefers supporting established institutions with ongoing programs that align with their mission.

Connection to Detroit/Michigan: While the foundation supports Armenian causes globally, it maintains roots in the Detroit area where Alex Manoogian built his business and the family established their philanthropic presence.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals - do not submit applications
• Armenian Focus: Approximately 100% of documented grants support Armenian causes, education, or cultural preservation
• Large Grant Capacity: With $9.5 million distributed in just 7 grants (2024), this foundation makes substantial awards to selected organizations
• Multi-year Commitments: Documented grants suggest preference for sustained support rather than one-off projects
• Educational Excellence: Strong track record of supporting academic programs, research initiatives, and scholarship funds
• Trustee Discretion: Christine M. Simone and fellow trustees identify grant recipients based on foundation priorities
• Legacy-Driven: The foundation continues the philanthropic vision of Alex, Marie, and Louise Manoogian, focusing on causes they championed during their lifetimes

References

1. Instrumentl - Manoogian Simone Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/manoogian-simone-foundation (Accessed February 25, 2026)

2. Cause IQ - Manoogian Simone Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/manoogian-simone-foundation,381799107/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

3. University of Michigan News - "Manoogian Simone Foundation gives $1.2 million to U-M for Armenian Studies." https://news.umich.edu/manoogian-simone-foundation-gives-12-million-to-u-m-for-armenian-studies/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

4. American University of Armenia - Manoogian Simone Research Fund (MSRF). https://msrf.aua.am/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

5. Armenian Weekly - "Philanthropist, AGBU President Louise Manoogian Simone Dies at 85." https://armenianweekly.com/2019/02/20/philanthropist-agbu-president-louise-manoogian-simone-dies-at-85/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)

6. AGBU - "The Compassionate Visionary." https://agbu.org/welcome-wine-country/compassionate-visionary (Accessed February 25, 2026)

7. Detroit Historical Society - "Manoogian, Alexander." https://www.detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/manoogian-alexander (Accessed February 25, 2026)

8. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Manoogian Simone Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/381799107 (Accessed February 25, 2026)

9. Grantmakers.io - Manoogian Simone Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/381799107-manoogian-simone-foundation/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)