Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Charitable Foundation

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is a foundation that seeks to address on-the-ground humanitarian challenges around the world with the focus on helping the most destitute. Its mission is rooted in the Armenian history as the Initiative was founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors and strives to transform this experience into a global movement.

All Aurora’s activities are based on the universal concept of Gratitude in Action. It implies that countless people around the world who have received aid in times of crisis can best express their gratitude by offering similar assistance to others. By engaging Aurora supporters around the world, this becomes a global endeavor that snowballs, to expand the circle of saviors and most importantly – the number of those saved.

Addressing urgent humanitarian challenges, the Initiative provides a second chance to those who need it the most. True to its vision – “We believe that even in the darkest times, a brighter future is in the hands of those who are committed to giving others help and hope” – Aurora welcomes all who embrace this philosophy.

This commitment aims to promote action-based philanthropy focused on tangible results. This is achieved through showcasing and empowering Aurora Luminaries and the Initiative’s various programs: the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, Aurora Dialogues, and Aurora Grants.

The name of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative was inspired by the story of Aurora Mardiganian, born Arshaluys Martikian, a woman who lived through the atrocities of the Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire to tell the world the truth about those horrors. Aurora Mardiganian is a symbol of survival and redemption, and her name also means ‘dawn’ – ‘Arshaluys’ in Armenian – which stands for hope.