Marking a significant milestone, the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation awards a $20,000 grant to Proyecto Olga Iglesias for the fifth consecutive year, bringing their total investment to $99,500 and demonstrating unprecedented commitment to Puerto Rican classical music education.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Proyecto Olga Iglesias (OIP) celebrates a remarkable milestone as the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation awards a $20,000 grant for the fifth consecutive year, marking an extraordinary partnership that has now totaled $99,500 in cumulative support since 2021. This sustained commitment represents one of the most significant long-term investments in Puerto Rican classical music education and artist development in recent history.
The five-year journey began with a foundational $2,500 grant in 2021, followed by $7,500 in 2022, $15,000 in 2023, $40,000 in 2024, and now $20,000 in 2025. This progression reflects not just financial support, but a deepening partnership that has enabled OIP to evolve from a promising startup into a cornerstone institution for Puerto Rican classical music preservation and education.
Anthony Cheney Guzmán, Founder and Executive Director of OIP, reflected on the transformative nature of this partnership: “Five years of consistent support from the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation has allowed us to build something truly sustainable and impactful. What began as support for a few talented fellows has grown into a comprehensive program that now reaches schools, supports multiple artists, and preserves our cultural heritage through innovative educational initiatives like La Batalla de los Clásicos. This partnership has given us the stability to plan long-term and think bigger about our mission.”
The cumulative $99,500 investment has directly supported dozens of talented artists through the Olga Iglesias Fellowship Program, providing financial assistance, professional training, and career development opportunities that have launched careers both locally and internationally. The sustained funding has enabled OIP to expand beyond individual artist support to comprehensive educational programming, including school outreach initiatives and the creation of original educational content.
Jay Rickel-Finnegan, President of the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation, emphasized the significance of long-term commitment: “Five years of partnership has allowed us to witness the remarkable growth and impact of OIP’s work. From supporting individual talented artists to creating educational programs that reach hundreds of students, this partnership exemplifies what sustained philanthropic investment can achieve. We’re not just funding a program; we’re investing in the cultural future of Puerto Rico.”
This milestone year also represents a maturation point for the partnership, as OIP has leveraged the foundation’s consistent support to secure additional major grants from organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities, Fundación Ángel Ramos, and Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades. The Rickel Foundation’s early and sustained investment has served as a catalyst for broader community support and recognition.
Looking toward the future, the continued partnership enables OIP to pursue ambitious long-term initiatives, including the planned orchestrated performances of La Batalla de los Clásicos in 2026, expanded educational programming throughout Puerto Rico, and the ongoing digital preservation of the Olga Iglesias collection through the Digital Library of the Caribbean.
The Annette Urso Rickel Foundation’s commitment to STEAM education finds perfect expression in this partnership, as music education continues to demonstrate its vital role in developing critical thinking, cultural appreciation, and artistic expression among students. The foundation’s model of sustained support rather than one-time grants has proven transformational for organizations like OIP that require stability to achieve lasting impact.
As OIP approaches nearly $100,000 in cumulative support from the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation, this partnership stands as a model for effective philanthropy that builds institutional capacity while creating measurable community impact. The next phase of this collaboration promises even greater achievements in preserving and promoting Puerto Rico’s rich classical music heritage.
About the Annette Urso Rickel Foundation
The Annette Urso Rickel Foundation supports student education through scholarships and grants that fund specialized studies and create educational models with lasting classroom impact. Dedicated to STEAM education excellence, the foundation focuses on developing comprehensive initiatives that benefit schools and nonprofit organizations, with particular emphasis on programs that inspire students and create sustainable educational improvements.