Community Fundraising in LA's Armenian-American Community

The Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to one of the largest Armenian diaspora communities in the world — with particularly high concentrations in Glendale, Burbank, North Hollywood, and the eastern San Fernando Valley. The Armenian-American community has built extensive civic, cultural, and religious institutions over more than a century of presence in Southern California, and those institutions shape how fundraising works.

The role of the church

Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Evangelical churches are the most powerful institutions in the community. Major congregations — including St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena, Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino, and St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Van Nuys — have thousands of members and extensive community communication channels. A campaign endorsed by a church, or announced during services or through the church newsletter, reaches an engaged and trust-aligned audience. Building a relationship with the church leadership before asking for a campaign endorsement is essential.

Cultural organizations

• AGBU (Armenian General Benevolent Union): one of the largest Armenian diaspora organizations globally, with active LA chapters. AGBU runs its own community programs and can amplify community fundraisers that align with its mission.
• Armenian Assembly of America: advocacy and community organization with a Southern California presence.
• ARS (Armenian Relief Society): humanitarian and community service organization with active chapters in greater LA.
• Homenetmen and Hamazkayin: cultural, athletic, and educational organizations with long-standing community presence and their own member networks.

Media channels

• Asbarez: the leading Armenian-American daily newspaper, based in LA. Community campaigns and cultural causes get coverage here.
• Horizon TV and Armenian TV channels: Armenian-language television reaches older community members and diaspora households who are less active on social media.
• Armenian Facebook groups: numerous active community Facebook groups in both Armenian and English cover local news, fundraisers, and community events. Search for Glendale-specific and LA-wide Armenian community groups.
• Instagram: younger Armenian-Americans are heavily active on Instagram. Cultural organizations and community influencers with Armenian identity content have significant followings.

Cultural traditions in giving

Armenian community fundraising is often organized around specific cultural moments — church fundraising events (bake sales, dinners, telethons), genocide remembrance (April 24), and cultural celebrations. Major fundraising telethons organized by Armenian TV have demonstrated that the community can mobilize significant funds quickly when the cause resonates and trusted voices lead the ask. For community-level fundraising, personal credibility, institutional backing, and a concrete cause tied to community welfare are the strongest drivers.

Causes that resonate

The Armenian community responds strongly to causes tied to community identity: Armenia earthquake relief and reconstruction, preservation of Armenian culture and language, support for Armenian schools (there are several Armenian community day schools in greater LA), and emergency support for community members. For local causes — a community center, a school program, a neighbor in need — personal networks and church channels are the fastest routes to funds.