JHM Charitable Foundation (John and Hasmik Mgrdichian Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,027,431 (2023)
• Total Assets: $221 million (2023)
• Grant Range: Varies significantly by programme
• Number of Grants: 42 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Armenian communities (domestic and international) and Los Angeles organisations
• Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 1300 Highland Ave Ste 215, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-4796

Phone: 310-550-9911

Website: https://www.jhmfoundation.org

EIN: 45-6821340

Note: This foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The John and Hasmik Mgrdichian (JHM) Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to create a lasting, private, self-funded legacy supporting Armenian communities both domestically and internationally, as well as Los Angeles-based organisations. Named after first-generation children of Armenian Genocide survivors from Gyumri and Kharpert, the foundation honours entrepreneurs who believed in creating individual independence through education and job creation. With assets exceeding $221 million as of 2023, the foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation under the leadership of trustees Gary W. Hampar and Lysa Grigorian (granddaughter of the founders). The foundation made 42 grants totalling over $6 million in 2023, supporting diverse initiatives across education, healthcare, cultural preservation, and social services in multiple U.S. states and Armenia.

Funding Priorities

Primary Focus Areas

The foundation concentrates on organisations that demonstrate:

• Clear alignment with JHM's objectives
• Evidence of sustainable, results-oriented planning
• Collaborative partnership potential

Core Priority Areas:

• Education and Technical Training: Contemporary technology education, Armenian studies, college scholarships
• Cultural Enrichment: Armenian cultural preservation, traditional arts and design, genocide education
• Medical Intervention: Healthcare access programmes, medical clinics, specialised health initiatives
• Social Services: Housing support, disability services, community development
• Economic Self-Sufficiency: Programmes providing tools for individuals to sustain their own development

Geographic Distribution

United States (20 partner organisations): Ararat Home of Los Angeles, Armenian Mesrobian School, Children's Institute, USC Institute of Armenian Studies, The Roundhouse Aquarium, United Cerebral Palsy, Armenian Eyecare Project, Armenian Museum of America, Convalescent Aid Society, LA Family Housing, South Central Scholars, Union Rescue Mission, AIWA, Charlie Keyan Education, Nature of Wildworks, Genocide Education Project, and YMCA of Montebello

Armenia (13 partner organisations): Artsakh Foundation, Columbia University (osteoporosis initiative), Tufenkian Foundation, United Nations Women's Guild, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, CivilNet, Children of Armenia Fund, Junior Achievement of Armenia, TUMO, Creative Armenia, Teach for Armenia, TUMO Studios, and Women's Support Centre

Turkey (1 partner organisation): Hrant Dink Foundation

Major Grant Examples

• TUMO Centres: Multi-million dollar support for construction and operations of TUMO Gyumri centre (historic 1850s theatre renovation), TUMO Koghb centre (serving 10+ border regions), and TUMO Studios programmes
• AIWA Scholarship Endowment: $50,000 for the Jasmine Mgrdichian Endowment Fund supporting college scholarships for young Armenian women
• Hayastan All Armenian Fund: $2 million donation during 2020 emergency relief efforts
• American University of Armenia: Hasmik Mgrdichian Endowed Scholarship for female students in science and technology
• Community Infrastructure: Funding for community centres and medical clinics in Artsakh villages including Tsovategh and Herher
• Gyumri Market Culinary School: Co-funding (alongside EU grant and other donors) for renovation of historic Gyumri market into international culinary school

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's focus on Armenian communities and Los Angeles organisations indicates funding outside these geographic and cultural parameters is unlikely.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Gary W. Hampar (Compensation: $279,996 annually)
• Lysa Grigorian (Granddaughter of founders; Compensation: $300,000 annually; also serves as TUMO board member)

Leadership Philosophy:

Gary Hampar on the foundation's investment approach: "Investing in education has a long-term, transformative impact not only on the individual but also on our country. Armenia's greatest resource is the intelligence of its people. This educational movement has clear goals: it expands the minds of kids, enables them to thrive, and creates jobs for our economy."

Lysa Grigorian on alignment with founders' values: "My grandparents always valued education and would be thrilled that this is an education programme that is inspirational and impacts the development of the youth in the country. The TUMO educational programme emphasises creative freedom while teaching Armenian youth practical, timely and marketable skills."

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 organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organisations they have identified and selected through their own research, networks, and strategic priorities. All 42 grants made in 2023 were to pre-selected organisations.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from the general public.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysing their funded portfolio reveals what attracts their support:

Foundation-Specific Patterns:

1. Armenian Connection: Nearly all funded organisations serve Armenian communities or preserve Armenian culture, heritage, and identity

2. Education-Centric: The foundation consistently prioritises educational initiatives, particularly those teaching "practical, timely and marketable skills" (as Grigorian describes TUMO)

3. Measurable Impact Philosophy: Hampar emphasises programmes with "clear goals" that create both individual development and economic benefit

4. Innovation in Traditional Areas: The foundation supports contemporary approaches to Armenian cultural preservation (e.g., TUMO's technology-based learning versus traditional methods)

5. Sustainability Focus: The foundation website explicitly states they value "sustainable, results-oriented planning"

6. Geographic Significance: Projects in locations connected to founders' heritage (Gyumri) receive attention

7. Women's Advancement: Notable support for women's education and empowerment (AIWA scholarships, AUA women in STEM endowment, Women's Support Centre)

8. Multi-Year Partnership Approach: The foundation views relationships as "collaborative partnerships" with ongoing engagement, not one-time grants

Types of Support Provided:

• Operational support
• Programme sponsorships
• Scholarship endowments
• Capital improvements (buildings, facilities)
• Specialised infrastructure (medical clinics, educational facilities, housing)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be applied to through traditional means - they select all grantees proactively
• Armenian Focus is Essential: Organisations must serve Armenian communities (diaspora or homeland) or Los Angeles-based populations
• Education is the Golden Thread: Nearly every grant connects to educational advancement, workforce development, or skill-building
• Long-Term Vision Required: The foundation values sustainability and "results-oriented planning" over short-term projects
• Partnership Over Transaction: Trustees engage with recipient boards and staff; they seek collaborative relationships
• Innovation Welcomed: Contemporary approaches to cultural preservation and education (like TUMO's model) attract significant multi-year support
• No Size Restrictions: The foundation funds both emerging projects and established organisations
• Geographic Heritage Matters: Projects connected to founders' ancestral regions (Gyumri, Kharpert) may receive special consideration

References

1. JHM Charitable Foundation - Cause IQ Profile - Accessed December 25, 2025
2. JHM Charitable Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Accessed December 25, 2025
3. JHM Foundation Official Website - Mission Statement - Accessed December 25, 2025
4. JHM Foundation Official Website - Partnerships - Accessed December 25, 2025
5. How JHM Met TUMO - TUMO - Accessed December 25, 2025
6. Key Partners for the Future: The John and Hasmik Mgrdichian Foundation - TUMO - Accessed December 25, 2025
7. John And Hasmik Mgrdichian Foundation Donate $50,000 To AIWA-Los Angeles - Asbarez - Accessed December 25, 2025
8. JHM Charitable Foundation - Grantmakers.io - Accessed December 25, 2025
9. Education Is the Foundation for Everything - Yes, Armenian Women Can! - Accessed December 25, 2025
10. TUMO Will Renovate the Gyumri Market & Establish an International Culinary School, with the support of the EU - TUMO - Accessed December 25, 2025
11. "John and Hasmik Mgrdichian" Foundation donates $2 million to the Global Armenian Movement - banks.am - Accessed December 25, 2025