Nonprofits often face a fundamental tension: respond to immediate needs or build for long-term impact. For many organizations, limited funding, small teams, and constant pressure to deliver results push them into short-term thinking. But what does it look like to operate differently, to design programs that last, build financial resilience, and prioritize sustainability from day one?
In this episode of The Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten sits down with Bree Carriglio, Executive Director of FAR USA (Fund for Armenian Relief), to explore exactly that. FAR has spent decades evolving from emergency relief to a comprehensive, long-term development model across Armenia, supporting communities through healthcare, education, and economic opportunity.
In this interview, Bree shares how FAR approaches funding, accountability, donor engagement, and program design in a way that prioritizes lasting impact over quick wins.
Q: What is FAR USA and what does the organization do?
FAR USA, the Fund for Armenian Relief, is a nonprofit that operates across Armenia, focused on supporting vulnerable populations through a holistic, long-term approach.
The organization works across multiple areas, including healthcare, education, economic development, and social services. The goal is not just to provide relief, but to help individuals and communities become resilient and self-sustaining over time.
Q: How did FAR USA evolve from relief work to long-term development?
FAR was founded in 1988 after a devastating earthquake in Gyumri, Armenia.
Initially, the work focused on immediate humanitarian aid, food, hygiene supplies, shelter. But once on the ground, the founders realized survival wasn’t enough. People needed systems, infrastructure, and opportunity.
That shifted the model from short-term relief to long-term development. Today, FAR designs programs meant to run for years, not months.
Q: What is your personal connection to the mission?
Bree shared that she is half Armenian, and her grandparents were genocide survivors.
Growing up, Armenia represented loss and hardship. But after her mother passed away, she felt a strong pull to reconnect with her roots. Finding FAR changed her perspective. She saw Armenia not just as a place shaped by tragedy, but as a place with energy, resilience, and real potential.
That shift became deeply personal and now drives her leadership.
Q: How large is FAR USA and what kind of impact does it have?
FAR operates with over 200 employees and works across the entire country of Armenia.
The organization invests millions of dollars into programs each year. One standout initiative is Breaking the Cycle of Poverty (BCPP), a long-term regional development program focused on transforming entire communities across healthcare, education, and economic systems.
This is not project-based impact. It’s system-level change.
Q: How does FAR help people build businesses and financial independence?
FAR runs small business assistance programs that meet people where they are.
Applicants receive help developing business plans, securing grants, and launching ventures, often in agriculture-based industries like honey production, poultry, and wine. What makes the model strong is ongoing support. FAR doesn’t just fund businesses, they stay involved to ensure viability.
There are also targeted programs for:
- War veterans, helping them rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship
- Women displaced from conflict, especially through the She Can program
These efforts focus on one thing: long-term independence.
Q: What makes FAR’s approach to nonprofit programming different?
Most nonprofits operate reactively. They identify a need, launch a program, then try to fund it.
FAR does the opposite.
They do not start programs without funding already secured.
That one principle changes everything. It ensures programs don’t collapse after a year and protects the people relying on them.
Their programs are designed to run long-term, often indefinitely.
Q: How does FAR think about financial sustainability and reserves?
This was one of the most striking insights from the conversation.
FAR operates with the philosophy that if funding stopped tomorrow, they should still be able to sustain their work for up to 10 years.
That’s achieved through:
- Conservative budgeting
- Reserve funds
- Endowments
- Investment income
- Long-term donor commitments
They don’t spend everything they raise. They plan for continuity.
Q: How should nonprofits think about funding strategy differently?
Bree emphasized a few key shifts:
- Don’t build programs first and fund later
- Align funding timelines with program timelines
- Build reserves before scaling
- Diversify funding sources (foundations, legacy giving, campaigns)
One practical takeaway: if you only have funding for 3 years, build a 3-year program. Don’t promise 10.
Q: What is legacy giving and why does it matter?
Legacy giving allows donors to commit funds through their estate, rather than giving immediately.
This unlocks a much larger portion of donor capacity. Most individuals only have about 5% of their wealth in liquid cash. The rest sits in assets like real estate, retirement accounts, or investments.
Legacy giving allows nonprofits to tap into that broader financial picture.
It’s a long-term play, but a powerful one.
Q: How can nonprofits better engage Millennials and Gen Z?
Younger donors behave differently. Bree outlined what works:
1. Clear, tangible outcomes
They want to know exactly what their money is doing.
2. Defined campaigns
Start date, end date, and a clear goal.
3. Community-driven fundraising
Peer-to-peer, student groups, and collaborative campaigns.
4. Transparency
They will ask questions. You need real answers.
One example FAR used was a university competition where student groups raised funds for tuition support in Armenia. It worked because the connection was direct and relatable.
Q: What makes crowdfunding campaigns successful?
From FAR’s experience, strong campaigns share a few traits:
- Specific purpose (not general funding)
- Clear timeline
- Strong storytelling
- Visible results after completion
Examples that work well:
- Funding tuition for students
- Renovating a school
- Purchasing equipment or transportation
The key is closing the loop. Donors need to see what happened.
Q: Why are in-kind donations often not helpful?
This is where many nonprofits struggle to be honest.
Donating goods like clothes, toys, or equipment sounds helpful, but often creates logistical challenges:
- High shipping costs
- Customs delays or confiscation
- Mismatch with actual needs
- Delayed arrival (seasonal issues)
In many cases, it’s more effective to provide funds so items can be purchased locally.
That approach is faster, cheaper, and more aligned with real needs.
Q: How do you say no to in-kind donations without losing donors?
Bree’s approach is simple and effective:
- Acknowledge the donor’s intent
- Explain the logistical realities
- Offer a better alternative (financial support for local purchase)
It’s about guiding generosity, not rejecting it.
Q: How important is transparency in modern nonprofit work?
It’s everything.
Donors, especially younger ones, expect:
- Clear reporting
- Measurable outcomes
- Honest communication
FAR self-audits annually and provides detailed reporting to donors. They aim to answer questions before they’re even asked.
That level of transparency builds trust and long-term relationships.
Q: What role does the board play in FAR’s success?
FAR benefits from an active, experienced board with strong financial expertise.
That matters more than most nonprofits realize. A strong board helps:
- Enforce discipline
- Guide long-term strategy
- Ensure financial oversight
For many nonprofits, upgrading board quality is one of the highest-leverage moves available.
Q: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as Executive Director?
Bree’s answer was clear:
Accountability.
Not just compliance. Real accountability to donors, to the mission, and most importantly, to the people being served.
That means:
- Planning responsibly
- Communicating honestly
- Delivering consistently
It’s not flashy, but it’s what sustains impact over time.
