What We Fund

Armenian Grants

What We Fund

The H. Hovnanian Family Foundation is dedicated to funding initiatives that benefit Armenians and the Republic of Armenia, ensuring the greatest possible impact on the country's progress and prosperity. For years, we have accepted grant applications year-round, reviewing them on a quarterly basis across our key focus areas: arts and cultural preservation, entrepreneurship and innovation, education, ecotourism and rural development, public health and emergency response, leadership, and youth and community development.

Starting the third quarter of 2024, we have refined our approach by dedicating each quarter to a specific focus area, guided by an overarching goal set by the Foundation. This targeted strategy will allow us to maximize our impact in each area. Please see detailed information on our quarterly areas of focus in the "Areas of Focus" section below.

We encourage you to review the Eligibility Criteria section below to determine whether your organization qualifies for a Hovnanian Foundation grant. You'll also find information on our non-required preferences that may guide your application. If you have any questions, our FAQ section provides additional clarifications.

The first step in the application process is to complete the Eligibility Quiz below. This will confirm your eligibility and guide you to the next step in the process. In order to complete the Eligibility quiz, applicants need to create a free account in our grants management system. To start the application process, click “Apply here”. If you need guidance during the application process, please refer to this tutorial video.

For all IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States focused on Armenian or Armenia-related missions, please use the Armenian Grants section to submit your proposals.

Eligibility Quiz for Armenian Grants Application

Apply Here

CALL FOR GRANT PROPOSALS:
ARTS & CULTURE

Funding Opportunity Title: H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Arts & Culture Grants
Geography: nationwide
Deadline for Full Applications: June 30, 2026 (funding decisions by mid-August)
Contact Person: Anahit Hakobyan, Programs Manager

I. Application Process

How to apply
1. Fill in the Eligibility Quiz by clicking Apply here.
2. If eligible, you’ll be directed to submit a Concept Note (no fixed deadline).
3. If the concept note is approved, you will be invited to submit the full application form by June 30, 2026.
4. Please note that the entire application process is conducted in English.

Limited Number of Applications
• We will accept only the first 25 full applications for the quarter.
• Concept notes can be submitted on a rolling basis, but once all slots for full applications are filled, we will stop accepting new ones.
• Early submissions have a higher chance of advancing, as strong concept notes submitted late may no longer be considered once the 25 full application slots are filled.

II. Funding Opportunity Description

This quarter’s focus on Culture & Arts is guided by recurring systemic challenges consistently observed across the sector. Despite its vibrancy, the cultural field in Armenia remains fragmented, with many organizations operating without continuity or sustainable structures. There is also a critical “missing middle layer” in the ecosystem—producers, managers, agents, technical staff—that connect creators to audiences. Additionally, cross-sector collaboration with tech, tourism, education, and the private sector remains weak, and many cultural professionals lack access to essential training in management, digital tools, and international cooperation.

III. Grant Goals

1. Support large-scale system building such as unified ticketing; multi-region residency frameworks, shared technical and production services, branding, coordinated calendars, educational programs and data systems.
2. Preparing narrow specialists in the field such as sound engineering, lighting design, stage management, set construction, digital production, as well as producers, curators, cultural managers, and other intermediaries.
3. Supporting the creation of cultural works and innovation enabling institutions to develop, produce, and present artistic and cultural works that shape Armenia’s cultural identity.

IV. Eligibility Information

In addition to the information outlined under the "Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?" section of our website, please note the following:

• Leveraged Funding: Demonstrate diversified or leveraged funding, particularly through public–private collaboration. Applicants are encouraged to co-create with private-sector partners, leveraging shared resources, expertise, and platforms.

• Specific criteria:
• May include multi-year programs aimed at long-term impact, system building, and sustainability.
• Involving and promoting activities across multiple regions, encouraging exchange and mobility is encouraged.
• Bringing together actors who do not typically collaborate, fostering interdisciplinary work and new partnerships is encouraged.

V. Award Information

Funding Type: Grant contract
Total Amount Available: $280,000 USD
Expected Number of Awards: 8-10 with avg. $35,000 USD per grant

Application Process

Each grant cycle is organized on a quarterly basis, with every quarter dedicated to a specific focus area. Applications are accepted only within the designated dates of the relevant quarter.

Step 1: Eligibility Quiz

Applicants must create a free account on our grants management system in order to access and complete the Foundation’s Eligibility Quiz. The quiz must be completed during the designated quarter for the applicant’s focus area. Submissions made outside the relevant quarter will be considered ineligible, as we do not accept applications outside the quarterly focus areas. If an applicant is found eligible, they will be automatically directed to the next step in the grants management system, where they may save their progress and return later to complete their submission.

Step 2: Concept Note

If eligible, applicants will automatically be directed to submit a complete concept note in our Grant Management System. Concept notes are accepted on a rolling basis within the quarter, noting they still had one more step to complete before the deadline.

Step 3: Full Application

If the concept note is approved, applicants will receive the full application form via email, which must be submitted via our Grant Management System by the end of the quarter deadline.

Important Notes:

Only 20–25 full applications will be accepted per quarter.
Once all full application slots are filled, no additional concept notes will be accepted, even if the quarter is still open.
Early submissions are strongly encouraged, as high-quality concept notes submitted later in the quarter may not advance if capacity has already been reached.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

H. Hovnanian Family Foundation makes grants only to:

Registered charitable organizations, including IRS-designated 501(c)(3) entities in the U.S. and state-registered nonprofits, foundations, and other charities in Armenia
Organizations that have established at least three years of program outcomes.
Project activities that fall under Hovnanian Foundation’s announced focus area and goals for each quarter.

Past grant recipients may reapply only after a 12-month period from the date of grant approval.

H. Hovnanian Family Foundation does not make grants to/for:

Operational overhead expenses.
Non-registered entities/organizations.
LLC, CJSC, IE and other types of for-profit legal entities.
Political action groups.
Grant requests used to produce something for commercial sale.

Areas of Focus

This quarter focuses on Parks & Recreation to support healthier, more vibrant communities in Armenia’s southern regions. Strengthening these community assets not only improves quality of life but also supports local development, tourism potential, and environmental resilience.

Geography: Vayots Dzor and/or Syunik regions (projects must be implemented in these regions; implementing organizations may be located elsewhere)

Grant Goals։

Creation and/or improvement of:
- Parks (green zones) in towns and villages
- Public playgrounds and/or sports grounds
- Preserved areas, national parks
Preference will be given։
- Leveraged Funding: Preference will be given to initiatives implemented in cooperation with state subvention projects’ co-funding. For larger-scale projects, proposals where HF contribution serves as the final piece of funding will be viewed favorably.
- Specific Criteria: Preference will be given to projects that include a strong programmatic or content component, funded by the applicant or other donors, alongside the infrastructure element.
This quarter’s focus on Culture & Arts is guided by recurring systemic challenges consistently observed across the sector. Despite its vibrancy, the cultural field in Armenia remains fragmented, with many organizations operating without continuity or sustainable structures. There is also a critical “missing middle layer” in the ecosystem—producers, managers, agents, technical staff—that connect creators to audiences. Additionally, cross-sector collaboration with tech, tourism, education, and the private sector remains weak, and many cultural professionals lack access to essential training in management, digital tools, and international cooperation.

Geography։ nationwide

Grant Goals
- Support large-scale system building such as unified ticketing; multi-region residency frameworks, shared technical and production services, branding, coordinated calendars, educational programs and data systems.
- Preparing narrow specialists in areas such as sound engineering, lighting design, stage management, set construction, digital production.
- Strengthen careers for “middle layer” professionals such as producers, curators, cultural managers, and intermediaries.
Preference will be given
- Leveraged Funding: Demonstrate diversified or leveraged funding, particularly through public–private collaboration. Applicants are encouraged to co-create with private-sector partners, leveraging shared resources, expertise, and platforms.
- Specific criteria:
1. May include multi-year programs aimed at long-term impact, system building, and sustainability.
2. Involving and promoting activities across multiple regions, encouraging exchange and mobility is encouraged.
3. Bringing together actors who do not typically collaborate, fostering interdisciplinary work and new partnerships is encouraged.
This quarter is dedicated to healthcare for strengthening the systems that underpin quality care in Armenia. The most critical gaps in the field lie in service quality, institutional capacity, and the consistency of governance. Sustainable improvement depends on building strong foundations through effective policies, robust regulatory frameworks, and a well-trained local workforce.

Geography։ nationwide

Grant Goals
- System Reform, Governance & Policy Development: Support initiatives that strengthen governance in the health sector, improve regulatory frameworks, and contribute to evidence-based policymaking. Projects may include designing guidelines, improving standards, enhancing oversight mechanisms, or creating sustainable processes within government agencies and public institutions.
- Capacity Building of Health Professionals & Institutions: Focus on strengthening the competencies of Armenia’s health workforce and institutions, and regional health departments. This may include training programs, curriculum development, quality improvement initiatives, and long-term skill-building efforts that enhance service quality nationwide.
- Quality of Care Improvements Through Integrated Models: Support initiatives that improve the patient experience and overall quality of care by reinforcing existing systems. This may include integrated care pathways, improved coordination between institutions, data-informed quality improvement, or the introduction of models that enhance continuity, safety, and effectiveness of care.
Preference will be given
- Leveraged Funding: Demonstrate diversified or leveraged funding, particularly through public–private collaboration
Borderline communities face persistent gaps in essential public infrastructure due to geographic isolation, security considerations, and limited local budgets. Schools, kindergartens, health facilities, and cultural centers in these areas often operate with outdated or inadequate buildings, directly affecting access to basic services and community well-being. By focusing this quarter on capital investments for borderline public institutions, HF aims to strengthen stability, ensure safe and functional environments, and support long-term resilience in communities located along Armenia’s borders.

Geography: Borderline communities (projects must be implemented in these areas; implementing organizations may be located elsewhere)

Grant Goals
Partial construction, renovation, furnishing and/or equipment for:
- Public schools
- Kindergartens
- Health facilities
- Cultural Centers
Preference will be given
- Leveraged Funding: Preference will be given to initiatives implemented in cooperation with state subvention projects’ co-funding. For larger-scale projects, proposals where HF contribution serves as the final piece of funding will be viewed favorably. Applicants are also encouraged to co-create with private-sector partners, leveraging shared resources, expertise, and platforms.
- Specific Criteria: Preference will be given to projects that include a strong programmatic or content component, funded by the applicant or other donors, alongside the infrastructure element.

Armenian Grants FAQ

Our priorities for funding are where our charitable mission and Armenian current imperatives intersect to ensure our investments are making the most impact possible in the country, for its people, progress, and prosperity. Arts and cultural preservation, entrepreneurship/innovation, education, public health and emergency response, leadership, youth and community development are our areas of focus in Armenia.
Eligible are those registered organizations that are charitable in nature in the United States i.e., designated Armenian organizations, schools and churches that are designated IRS 501(c)(3) status organizations, as well as state-registered entities in the Republic of Armenia such as nonprofit organizations, foundations, government agencies and other charities.
The Foundation will not fund operational overhead such as salaries, whereas it will fund up to a maximum of 20% indirect project costs such as meals, hotels, and travel.
To apply for an Armenian grant, you must first create a free account, on our new grants management system. Once signed in, you will be able to access our eligibility quiz, which is the first step in the application process. If you pass the quiz, you will be automatically directed to the full application form. You may save your progress at any time and return later to complete your application. To access the eligibility quiz, click here. https://hovnanianfoundation.submittable.com/submit/353074/armenian-grants-2026-q2
There are no grant deadlines per se, as grant proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis at the end of each quarter (end of March, end of June, end of September, end of December). These dates should be heeded if submitting a time sensitive proposal.
Yes, the Foundation does consider multi-year funding requests.
Yes, we allow the flexibility of emergency grant submissions only if the proposal is addressing a priority, time-sensitive need that requires a quick decision rather than having to wait for quarterly submission.
Armenian grant applications are submitted through our grants management system. After creating a free account and completing the eligibility quiz, eligible applicants will be automatically directed to the full application form, which can be completed and submitted online. Applicants may also save their progress and return later to finish the application.
Yes, you may, but we provide feedback on rejections which we hope will be heavily considered prior to future application submission.
The Board makes funding decisions within two weeks of each quarter’s closing.
Yes, a registered entity may submit more than one grant proposal per quarterly cycle. But only one of the proposals may be approved upon meeting grant conditions.