Khachkar Studios Allocates $10 Million of $100 Million Directly to the “Faithful” of the Armenian Eastern Diocese

Khachkar Studios has launched an unusual strategy within the world of religious philanthropy: giving $10 million to go directly to the “Faithful” as part of its larger $100 million initiative to rebuild Armenian Christian participation in the U.S. The move raises an important question—can direct community funding succeed where traditional top-down approaches have stalled?

A two-year review of 106 Armenian parishes uncovered sobering trends. Weekly attendance is far lower than perceived, with only 3% of Armenians regularly participating in liturgical life. The assumption that closer to 30% attend has masked long-term decline and delayed action. Khachkar Studios believes acknowledging this reality is the first step toward solving it.

Their solution revolves around a Biblically grounded performance “Framework” combining financial transparency, benchmarking, and measurable outcomes. Parishes or individuals willing to adopt the model may receive up to $500,000 in support. The target: doubling weekly attendance to 6% and raising Social Return on Investment (SROI) from 3.7x to 7.0x in five years.

The approach resembles modern social-impact strategies more than traditional nonprofit funding. It emphasizes accountability, data, and results—not just intentions. Education is also central. Khachkar Studios has released detailed public materials explaining how improved financial discipline can strengthen parish operations, donor confidence, and community programming.

Critics might ask whether institutional reform can truly be sparked from the bottom up. But supporters argue that the initiative acknowledges a long-standing truth: renewal depends on the people who attend, volunteer, and build parish life every week.

If the model succeeds, it could reshape how diaspora communities approach cultural and religious preservation. More importantly, it could demonstrate that faith institutions can adapt by adopting the same analytical rigor found in successful civic and nonprofit organizations.

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