Our history

Jinishian Memorial Foundation (JMF) began work in Armenia in 1993 and became legally registered in Armenia as a local foundation in 1999. JMF is primarily sponsored by the Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) of the Presbyterian Church USA. The Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) is a charitable trust that was established on May 17, 1966 by the bequest of Vartan H. Jinishian in memory of his parents. Since 1966 JMP has provided basic services and direct relief to millions of poor Armenians in Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, South America, Jordan and Armenia, who have lived in the midst of conflict and instability. After independence came in 1991, JMP began to explore extending its relief and development activities to Armenia. Since then it has provided economic, social and spiritual assistance to millions of needy Armenians, and supported more than 200 grassroots and local NGOs through partnering and collaboration.

Today, JMF supports durable solutions to Armenia's social and economic problems.