For more than 75 years, the Armenian Educational Foundation has opened doors of possibility through education and empowerment of generations of young Armenians to reach their fullest potential. On Sunday, October 18, 2026, AEF will bring together its supporters, friends, and community members for its Annual Benefit, “Orchestrating the Future,” at the magnificent Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. The evening will celebrate not only the lives transformed through education, but also the extraordinary generosity of a community that continues to make those transformations possible.
This year’s theme, “Orchestrating the Future,” is a reflection of what makes AEF’s mission so meaningful. Just as an orchestra brings together individual talents to create something extraordinary, AEF unites students, educators, donors, volunteers and community partners in a shared purpose: to ensure that the next generation of Armenian youth has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
In 2025 alone, AEF awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to over 1,100 students across Armenia, Javakhk, and the Diaspora, marking one of the most impactful years in the Foundation’s scholarship program history. But the true measure of AEF’s work extends far beyond the number of scholarships awarded or the dollars raised. It can be found in the lives of students who are able to continue their education, in the families whose hopes are renewed, and in the communities that grow stronger because of the opportunities these young people receive. That spirit of giving is perhaps most evident in Armenia, where AEF scholarship recipients contributed an extraordinary 125,400 hours of volunteer service in 2025. These students, having received the gift of educational opportunity, are now giving back to their own communities, demonstrating that an investment in one student can touch countless lives.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to dream of a brighter future and the chance to make that dream a reality,” said Gina Felikian, Chair of the 2026 AEF Annual Benefit. “For more than 75 years, AEF has helped make those dreams possible through the generosity of people who believe in the transformative power of education. What makes this mission so special is that our students carry that generosity forward, using their education to strengthen their families, uplift their communities, and inspire the next generation. ‘Orchestrating the Future’ is a celebration of what we can accomplish when we come together, each playing a part in creating a brighter future for Armenian youth.”
AEF’s commitment to education reaches well beyond its scholarship program. Through initiatives that support engineering education and practical training in Armenia, entrepreneurship and innovation, educational technology and infrastructure in regional schools, Armenian language and cultural programming, and science and innovation programs at Armenian schools in Southern California, the Foundation continues to create opportunities that strengthen both individual lives and the Armenian community as a whole.
This year’s Benefit will also recognize three remarkable couples whose longstanding dedication to AEF has helped advance its educational mission: Mr. Bobken and Mrs. Hasmik Amirian, Mr. Rafik and Mrs. Helly Khatchaturian, and Mr. Hagop and Mrs. Sonia Koujakian.
Their generosity and commitment reflect the very heart of AEF’s mission: the belief that investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways to preserve our heritage, strengthen our communities and create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
The evening promises to be a memorable celebration of philanthropy, community and the enduring power of education, bringing together those who have supported AEF throughout the years and inspiring new generations to become part of its mission.
The Annual Benefit will begin with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 pm., at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, located at 135 N. Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.
Proceeds from the evening will support AEF’s scholarship and educational programs, helping ensure that more deserving Armenian students have access to the education and opportunities they need to build brighter futures. Because when we invest in the education of one student, we do more than change one life. We help shape the future of an entire community.
For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit the website.