AHIF Launches $10 Million Endowment Fund Campaign

Gene Rossides Pledges $1 Million

WASHINGTON, DC—The American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) is pleased to announce the launching of an endowment fund campaign to raise $10 million in 5 years.

AHIF and its affiliates are in the forefront of the efforts to stress the importance of Greece and Cyprus to U.S. national security interests regarding peace, stability, economic progress and democracy building in Southeast Europe, and in strengthening the Greek American community nationally.

AHIF President Gene Rossides stated:

"Thanks to the efforts of our members, the burning of the mortgage of the Hellenic House has established the physical permanency of the American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) and its affiliates in an excellent location five blocks up from the White House.

We now need to establish the financial permanency of AHIF and its affiliates by creating an endowment fund with a goal of $10 million.

To help start this endowment fund, I have made two tax-deductible contributions of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) each in memory and honor of my parents Anna and Telemachus Rossides, and in my wife’s and my names. I am pledging an additional $800,000 over the next 5 years for a total of $1 million. Further, I am committing $25,000.00 annually for operating expenses.

We need to establish this endowment fund so that we can build income for operating purposes. Our present operating budget is only $425 - 450,000. We need to increase our operating budget to $1 million. The future of AHIF and its affiliates in sustaining their accomplishments and continuing, strengthening and adding to their several activities depends on the efforts of many, not just a few."

AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis stated:

"The AHIF works constantly to strengthen U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, and relations within our community and to fight for the Greek American community issues. These issues include: the rule of law, support for American values and principles, a secure Greece, a free Cyprus, the Aegean, "Macedonia," protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the reopening of the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology, human rights in Albania and the promotion of Hellenism, the foundation of Western civilization.

AHIF, the owner of Hellenic House, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit tax-exempt educational and research organization. All individual and corporate contributions to it are tax deductible as charitable contributions. AHIF tax-exempt registration number is 52-1061633. Under the IRS Code, the AHIF is authorized to have multiple endowment funds.

Any person can establish their own tax deductible named endowment fund under the American Hellenic Institute Foundation at an amount of five thousand ($5,000) or more.

Contributors to their own named endowment fund will be able to give advice as to the use of endowment fund income, i.e. for staff, interns, seminars, conferences, forums, publications or other operating expenses. Contributors will receive annual reports on the status of their endowment fund. The name of each endowment fund will be listed in the lobby of Hellenic House. There are no legal or accounting fees involved in establishing one’s own named endowment fund under AHIF."

To establish your own named endowment fund or for more information please contact Nick Larigakis at 202-785-8430, and visit our Web site at http//www.ahiworld.org/announcements/endowment.html.

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For additional information, please contact Georgia Economou at (202) 785-8430 or at georgia@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our Web site at http://www.ahiworld.org.

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