Armenian General Benevolent Union
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The Armenian General Benevolent Union (Armenian: Հայկական Բարեգործական Ընդհանուր Միութիւն), abbreviated as AGBU, established in 1906, is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization[citation needed]. Headquartered in New York City with an annual international budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries. AGBU operates 18 day schools (such as the Manoogian-Demirdjian school in Canoga Park, California, the Manoogian School in Southfield, Michigan and the Alex Manoogian school in Montreal, Quebec) and 15 saturday schools. It awards scholarship grants and loans to over 500 students worldwide and supports the American University of Armenia and Yerevan State University. Through its extensive global network of 75 chapters, young professionals groups, centers and offices, the organization sponsors numerous worthwhile cultural and humanitarian programs, including children’s centers, soup kitchens, summer camps, athletics and scouts, internship and mentoring programs and the performing arts.
In 2006, the AGBU celebrated its 100th anniversary in its headquarters in New York City.
[edit] AGBU Presidents
- Boghos Nubar (1906-1928) - Founder
- Calouste Gulbenkian (1930-1932)
- Zareh Nubar (1932-1943)
- Arshag Karagheusian (1943-1952); He had a son: Howard Karagheusian who died young, and a scholarship was set up in his name. Miran Karagheusian died on October 7, 1948 at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, he lived in Oyster Bay, New York He had attended Robert College in Turkey.
- Alex Manoogian (1952-1991) - Honorary Life President.
- Louise Manoogian Simone (1991-2002)
- Berge Setrakian (2002-present)
