OUR FOUNDERS
IN 2000, YOUNES (Z”L) AND SORAYA SARAH NAZARIAN FOUNDED THE YOUNES & SORAYA NAZARIAN FAMILY FOUNDATION IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
Several years later, they expanded their philanthropic reach by establishing a regional office in Tel Aviv, Israel, under the name of the Ima Foundation. The Foundation is driven by the core belief that the promotion and support of education is one of the most powerful catalysts for societal change. Its charitable giving initially focused on educational initiatives through a multipronged approach spanning academic, public policy, community-based, and arts programming.
Over time, the Foundation broadened its mission to address other pressing societal challenges, including advancing mental health and well-being, empowering women and girls, and combating antisemitism through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Across all of its work, the Foundation remains committed to planting seeds, building bridges, and empowering pioneering thinkers and institutions to create lasting impact for today’s global community and future generations.
Younes (z”l) and Soraya Sarah viewed themselves as vigilant stewards of a moral inheritance passed down from their parents. They aspired to carry that legacy forward by sharing both values and resources for the benefit of future generations. Their deep commitment to philanthropy was shaped by personal experiences, beginning with humble origins and challenges in Iran that helped define their lives and purpose.
Together, they served as beacons to their family and the broader community, offering guidance, wisdom, and inspiration through both their achievements and the challenges they overcame.
