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ACEF welcomes new director of administration

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  • ACEF welcomes new director of administration

    PRESS OFFICE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
    Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
    Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: www.armenianchurch.org

    August 19, 2005
    ___________________

    ENDOWMENT FUND INCORPORATES, LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

    A gift to the Armenian Church Endowment Fund (ACEF) lasts forever.

    To protect funds bequeathed to it, the board of ACEF incorporated as a
    separate entity at the beginning of 2005. And to ensure that the newly
    reorganized ACEF meets all the rules and requirements that now apply,
    the ACEF Board of Trustees has hired Kay Wight as its new director of
    administration.

    "Our goal is to ensure ACEF's safety and growth within all the new laws
    and regulations that cover such non-profit organizations," said Wight,
    who has a long resume in the world of foundations and non-profits.
    "Like all foundations, the ability to increase our endowment and to
    ensure the safety and protection of our programs is vital."

    Wight has an extensive background steering and advising non-profit
    foundations, including the New York City Police Foundation, the G&P
    Foundation for Cancer Research, and the MacAndrews & Forbes/REVLON
    Foundation. She has also worked for American Express, CBS, and as an
    aide to New York City mayors Koch and Dinkins.

    In ACEF, she's found a well-organized, quality foundation, she said.

    "It is in an excellent place. It has an extraordinary board of trustees
    and from the Primate and executive committee to the staff, everyone
    should be quite proud of the strength of this organization," said Wight,
    who is taking over some of the administrative responsibilities
    previously handled by former ACEF executive director George Kassis. "I
    am here to ensure this newly incorporated organization adheres to all
    the laws and guidelines, and that it exercises due diligence, so we can
    focus on increasing our endowment to provide more support for our
    beneficiaries."

    ACEF WORKS TO AID NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS

    ACEF filed for its incorporation on February 9, 2005, and was stamped by
    the state of Delaware on March 29, 2005. The purpose of incorporation
    is to make official the independence of the fund from the Eastern
    Diocese, which is just one of the beneficiaries of investments managed
    by ACEF.

    At the end of 2004, the funds in ACEF-managed accounts totaled
    $65,054,650. Last year ACEF distributed $2.9 million to 130
    beneficiaries.

    "ACEF is one of the best ways for our community to support future
    generations. Today's gifts are invested forever, providing a steady
    income stream for our programs and ministries for generations to come,"
    said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and
    president of ACEF. "We're glad to welcome Ms. Wight to the
    organization, and we know she will continue the skilled and professional
    management of ACEF that we have come to depend on."

    An endowment established with ACEF can benefit any Armenian non-profit
    organization designated by the donor, from the Diocese or a local parish
    to St. Nersess Seminary or the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR). Funds
    are invested and managed by the ACEF board of trustees, chaired by
    Kevork Hovnanian, in a manner to ensure that the designated beneficiary
    receives a steady annual income from the investments. The principle of
    the investment can never be touched, so it will provide income from its
    interest forever.

    Endowments can be established through gifts, bequeaths and wills, or set
    up as charitable gift annuities. If you have any questions or wish to
    set up your own ACEF endowment, contact Kay Wight by e-mailing
    [email protected] or calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 46.

    -- 8/19/05

    E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
    and Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website,
    www.armenianchurch.org.

    PHOTO CAPTION (1): Kay Wight, the newly appointed director of
    administration for the Armenian Church Endowment Fund (ACEF), fields a
    question on endowment funds.

    # # #
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