Children of Armenia Fund

The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) (Armenian: «Հայաստանի Մանուկներ» բարեգործական հիմնադրամ (ՔՈԱՖ)) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing educational opportunities and building infrastructure for children and families across rural Armenia. A central tenet of COAF's mission is the organization's focus on creating lasting change. COAF disrupts outdated systems of rural education and empowers communities with purpose and longevity. To date, COAF programs have operated in 82 villages across 6 regions, as well as Artsakh, and have impacted over 100,000 beneficiaries through improved education, healthcare, and economic development.

History
Founded in 2004 by American-Armenian scientist and philanthropist Dr. Garo H. Armen, COAF's efforts began in one village in the Armavir region and have since expanded into 63 communities across 5 regions. Originally established to provide the infrastructure needed to address issues such as a lack of clean water, COAF quickly recognized the need for a community-driven approach and today focuses on delivering high-impact, long-lasting, and sustainable initiatives, such as formal and non-formal education, teacher training, and accessible medical care.

Activity
COAF's mission is to provide the necessary resources for all the children of Armenia to achieve their full potential. By empowering rural children and their families, COAF's initiatives seek to advance formally overlooked communities by tapping into the residents' passion and innovation.

By utilizing a holistic approach to development, COAF implements self-sustaining initiatives, such as early-childhood education, internships for students, career training for graduates, and psychological support for families and veterans. COAF's projects range from teaching schoolchildren good hygiene practices, to helping rural entrepreneurs launch small businesses.

In 2018, the first COAF SMART Center was opened in Debet village. It is an education center where children from nearby villages can learn new skills or new professions. In addition to the educational center, COAF is implementing several projects in nearby villages: construction of a health care center, a tourism info center, a school, a hotel, and others. A similar SMART center will be opened in the Armavir region.

Supporters
COAF has partnered with the government of Armenia, the British Council, the EU, the UNDP, the World Bank, and embassies from across the world.

COAF's supporters include Jennifer Aniston, Cher, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ariana Grande, Tom Hanks, Chris Rock, and a variety of Armenian celebrities.

Transparency
COAF is an accredited 501(c)(3) organization, and has received a 95.53/100, 4/4-Star rating from Charity Navigator, alongside GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency.