When Alex Manoogian arrived in America from Armenia in 1920, he had only $50 to his name. A century later, even years after his passing, his impact continues to not only benefit charities and people in the state of Michigan, but worldwide, as well -- and in countless ways.
To understand how Manoogian arrived at a place where he has been able to make the contributions he has, it’s important to understand how it began. His original vision came to life when he founded Masco Screw Products Company in Detroit in 1929. It has evolved and grown into what is now known as Masco Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products.
You might not recognize the Masco company name, but you are likely familiar with some of Masco’s industry-leading brands: Behr paint, Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures, BrassCraft plumbing products and HotSpring spas, to name just a few.
You might say that Manoogian was successful when you learn how many well-known brands are now part of the company’s portfolio, but others would say that the profound investment Masco and its business units have made in communities nationwide is the real triumph.
Following through on a dream
Manoogian, a refugee of the Armenian genocide, arrived in America with a relentless drive to make a better life for himself and his family. He promised himself when he reached this country that if he found success, he would do everything he could to ensure others had the same opportunities to not only grow but to thrive.
It took years of dedication and determination, but his goal to help others thrive started taking shape in 1952 when Masco formalized its corporate giving program. At the onset, the program focused on supporting employees who had served in the war.
But that was just the beginning.
Over the years, the business continued to grow, and Masco’s success enabled Manoogian to devote a lifetime of effort and millions of dollars to the preservation of his Armenian heritage and culture, as well as to his community and beyond.
His spirit of charity and concern extended to many causes, from prestigious universities and museums to local schools, universities, hospitals and organizations. Some of these include, to name a few, the donation of American paintings to the White House collection, the donation of his former home to the city of Detroit as the official mansion for the mayor, as well as funding for the construction of the AGBU Alex Manoogian School and the Manor for the Aged.
He also contributed substantial time, interest and funding to the building of St. John’s Armenian Church of Greater Detroit and Armenian Cultural Building, the Alex Manoogian School in Montevideo and Uruguay, and the Marie Manoogian Schools in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tehran, Iran.
Continuing a culture of giving in the community
Alex Manoogian’s son, Richard Manoogian, who became president of Masco in 1968, didn’t just take over a family company; he set out to continue his father’s heritage of giving back, and worked diligently to maintain that culture.
“Richard took over his father’s legacy and, for decades, he instilled a culture of philanthropy at Masco,” said Sue Sabo, Masco’s director of communications and corporate giving. “Richard remains active in numerous art, cultural, education and other civic charitable causes to this day. And at Masco today, our executive leadership team also continues our founder’s legacy and prioritizes supporting our nonprofit partners.”
Masco’s philanthropic program today includes the investment of millions of dollars in financial and in-kind product donations, as well as employee volunteering, with the goal to find solutions to the biggest problems that face our communities. Across the globe -- including the headquarters in Livonia -- Masco teams take their energy and diverse skill sets outside the company walls to neighborhoods where they live and work.
“Our employees spend thousands of hours using their personal time and our paid volunteer time off programs to give back to their community each year,” Sabo said. “This ranges from volunteering with Habitat to Humanity and online tutoring of students in under-resourced schools to packing Thanksgiving meals for low-income families.”
Sabo continued, “While our commitment to corporate citizenship began with the drive and generosity of our founder, decades later that drive permeates every aspect of our business and culture. Through our products and people across the globe, we strive to deliver better living possibilities for homes, our environment and, importantly, our communities. We are always searching for new ways to positively impact our neighbors and better our communities. It’s who we are.”
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