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Azmat A Assur Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $192,684 (2023)
  • Assets: $36,359,791
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $182,000
  • Geographic Focus: Puerto Rico

Contact Details

Website: https://www.assurfoundation.org/

Corporate Office: Ponce, Puerto Rico

Note: Specific phone and email contact information not publicly available. Contact through website or partner organizations.

Overview

The Azmat A. Assur Charitable Foundation was established in 2022 by Ann Marie Assur in honor of her late husband, Azmat Assur, who passed away in 2020. Azmat Assur was the Founder and President of Energy Supply & Credit Corporation and Peerless Oil & Chemicals, Inc., operating in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. With assets of approximately $36.4 million, the foundation is privately funded with the sole purpose of growing the youth of Puerto Rico through grants, scholarships, and financial gifts. The foundation's strategic focus is on reducing financial barriers for individuals and organizations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Since his business grew in Puerto Rico, Azmat Assur believed its gains should go back to support the people there. The foundation made 4 institutional grants totaling $192,684 in 2023 and has since expanded its grantmaking through partnerships with the Puerto Rico Community Foundation and the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Institutional STEM Grants

  • Range: Varies based on program and partnership
  • Focus: Educational institutions, STEM infrastructure, and educator development
  • Method: Partnership-based and invitation-only

Assur Fund Scholarships (via Puerto Rico Community Foundation)

  • Range: Individual scholarship amounts vary; $182,000 awarded to 52 students in 2024
  • Focus: STEM degree programs (associate through doctoral levels)
  • Fields: Engineering, veterinary technology, biomedical sciences, psychology, accounting, information systems, medicine, and optometry
  • Priority: Students from southern Puerto Rico, including employees or descendants of Peerless Oil & Chemicals Inc. employees

Premio Azmat A. Assur (via PR Science Trust)

  • Amount: $20,000 per student for four-year university education
  • Number: 4 awards annually
  • Focus: Outstanding public school students pursuing STEM at Puerto Rico institutions
  • Duration: 5-year partnership program

Multi-Year Institutional Grants

  • Hexagon 3D Printing Lab: $125,000 over five years
  • STEM Teacher Professional Development: $75,000 commitment
  • STEM+AI certification program for 25 public school educators annually

Priority Areas

  • STEM education at all levels (elementary through doctoral)
  • Educational infrastructure and resources (labs, computers, digital tools)
  • Educator development and professional training
  • Hands-on learning opportunities and innovation
  • Students with financial need pursuing STEM careers
  • Public school students in Puerto Rico
  • Workforce development in STEM fields

What They Don't Fund

Information about exclusions is not publicly documented. The foundation's exclusive geographic focus is Puerto Rico, and all funding appears limited to STEM education initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

Ann Marie Assur - Founder and President Ann Marie founded the foundation immediately after her husband's passing to carry out his vision. As she stated: "This initiative reflects the values of my late husband, Azmat Assur—education as a catalyst for change."

Mark Domzalski - Foundation Representative Speaking about the scholarship awards: "These awards not only recognize excellence but also help build bridges to lasting opportunities."

Robert Finnerty - Vice Chairman On the foundation's mission: "We believe the best way to follow his vision is by investing in Puerto Rican students and their education."

The foundation maintains close ties to Peerless Oil & Chemicals Inc., Azmat Assur's former company, prioritizing scholarships for employees and their descendants.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Azmat A. Assur Foundation does not have a public application process for institutional grants. The foundation makes grants through established partnerships and trustee discretion.

For individual scholarships, students must apply through partner organizations:

Assur Fund Scholarships: Administered by the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico). Contact FCPR directly for application procedures.

Premio Azmat A. Assur: Administered by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust. Selection includes multiple evaluation stages: essays, interviews, and assessment of academic performance, leadership, and community involvement. Requirements include:

  • Transcripts with GPA
  • Evidence of admission to or enrollment in a STEM program at an accredited Puerto Rico institution
  • Photo identification
  • Curriculum vitae demonstrating education, research participation, academic achievements, leadership positions, and volunteer service

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation operates through strategic partnerships with established Puerto Rico educational and nonprofit organizations, specifically:

  • Puerto Rico Community Foundation (Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico)
  • Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust

Educational institutions and organizations seeking grants should consider building relationships with these partner organizations, as they appear to be the primary channels through which the Assur Foundation identifies and funds projects. The foundation has shown particular interest in initiatives that combine multiple elements (scholarships, infrastructure, and educator development) in comprehensive STEM education programs. Organizations with connections to Peerless Oil & Chemicals Inc. or serving southern Puerto Rico communities may receive priority consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. The foundation operates on a partnership basis with multi-year commitments.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 4 institutional grants in 2023.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for institutional grants, organizations seeking to attract their attention should note:

Geographic Focus: The foundation exclusively funds initiatives in Puerto Rico, with particular attention to southern Puerto Rico where Azmat Assur's businesses operated.

Connection to Legacy: Priority is given to employees and descendants of employees of Peerless Oil & Chemicals Inc. This demonstrates the foundation's commitment to giving back to the communities that supported the family business.

STEM Emphasis: All funding supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The foundation values innovation, hands-on learning, and preparing the next generation of STEM leaders.

Comprehensive Programs: Recent grants support multi-faceted initiatives that combine student scholarships, infrastructure investment, and educator development. The Hexagon project exemplifies this approach with its integration of scholarships, 3D printing lab, and teacher training.

Public Education Focus: The Premio Azmat A. Assur specifically targets public school students, reflecting a commitment to expanding access to STEM education for underserved populations.

Long-term Partnerships: The foundation prefers multi-year commitments (five-year partnerships) rather than one-time grants, indicating interest in sustained impact and relationship building.

Measurable Outcomes: Programs emphasize concrete deliverables such as number of students served, educator certifications, and infrastructure improvements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Partnership-driven model: The foundation works exclusively through established partner organizations (Puerto Rico Community Foundation and PR Science Trust) rather than accepting direct applications
  • Geographic limitation: All funding is restricted to Puerto Rico, with emphasis on southern regions
  • STEM-only focus: Every grant and scholarship supports science, technology, engineering, or mathematics education
  • Business legacy connection: Priority consideration for individuals and communities connected to Peerless Oil & Chemicals Inc. and Energy Supply & Credit Corporation
  • Comprehensive program preference: Recent grants suggest the foundation favors multi-component initiatives that address students, educators, and infrastructure simultaneously
  • Long-term commitment: Multi-year partnerships (5 years) indicate preference for sustained engagement over one-time grants
  • Values-driven mission: Ann Marie Assur's leadership emphasizes her late husband's belief that "education is a catalyst for change" and that business profits should return to support the community

References

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