Founder of the Foundation A.B. Usmanov

The founder of the Art Science and Sport Fund (ASASF) Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov, is a successful businessman, founder of the USM holding, uniting successful enterprises in the Mining and Metallurgical industries, Telecommunications, High Technologies and Internet Business.

Not only is he known for successful business and investment, but also for his active support in the field of philanthropy. The founder is one of the world’s most generous philanthropists, and a trustee with many social, educational, and cultural organizations with international influence.

According to The Sunday Times, after more than 20-years of their donation ranking history, With 3.7% of his total fortune donated in 2020 to support social, educational, and cultural organizations, as well as to fight against COVID-19. Alisher Usmanov became the most generous philanthropist in history, using quantitative terms.

His charity spans over 60 countries. Main priorities include art, science, sports, culture, medicine and social development. In total, over the past 15 years, Alisher Usmanov’s companies and his charitable foundation have spent more than three billion dollars on the development of sports, as well as supporting cultural, scientific, educational, and medical initiatives.

As the head of the International Fencing Federation, Mr. Usmanov supported this sport all over the world, including through the international charitable Foundations “For the Future of Fencing” founded by him and supporting fencing veterans. Since 2018, he was а member of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Channel Commission.

In December 2019, Alisher Usmanov purchased the Olympic Manifesto at Sothebys for a staggering $8.8 million, making it the highest-priced sports artifact ever sold. In February 2020, the philanthropist generously donated this historic document, penned in 1892 by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. For numerous years, Alisher Usmanov has made substantial contributions to a variety of causes worldwide, including funding the restoration of the Nave of the Ulpia Basilica and the reconstruction of the Hall of the Horatii and Curiatii, the Palace of the Conservatives, and the Fountain of Dioscuri on Quirinal Square in Rome. He also purchased the renowned painting “Saint Mark” by Frans Hals Sr. for the Pushkin Museum, which stands as the largest gift given to a Russian museum in the past century. Additionally, he acquired a collection of artworks by Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya for the Russian state, secured the rights to classic Soviet cartoons for a Russian children’s TV channel, and successfully bid on the Nobel medal of esteemed American biologist James Watson at Christie’s, subsequently returning it to its rightful owner.

Mr. Usmanov devotes his resources to supporting philanthropic and social initiatives that aim to revive Uzbekistan’s cultural treasures. Through his generous contributions, the Samarkand region now boasts the esteemed International Research Center “Imam Bukhari.” This institution’s primary objective is to diligently explore and disseminate the profound scholarly and spiritual legacy of Muslim communities.

With the generous support of Alisher Usmanov, the initiative spearheaded by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to expedite the progress of Bukhara city’s tourist potential and the Bukhara region, renowned for its numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, is currently being realized. Mr. Usmanov is a strong advocate of the collaborative initiative between the Uzbek government and the World Bank, aimed at fostering the growth of villages and qishlaqs in different regions of the country. Furthermore, he provides funding for various sports and educational projects as well.

Established under the guidance of Alisher Usmanov, the Art, Science and Sport Foundation proudly serves as a valued collaborator of esteemed institutions including the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble Igor Moiseyev, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, and the Moscow Virtuosi Orchestra, under the esteemed leadership of Vladimir Spivakov. The foundation also extends its support to the renowned Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, among other prominent cultural landmarks in our nation.

Alisher Usmanov has been bestowed with esteemed honors and awards, recognizing his outstanding contributions in various domains. These include the third and fourth-class Order of Merit for the Motherland in recognition of his active involvement in social and philanthropic endeavors. Additionally, he has received the Order of Alexander Nevsky and the Order of Honor for his remarkable labor achievements and sustained commitment to diligent work.

Notably, Mr. Usmanov has been presented with the badge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia “For Contribution to International Cooperation” and the prestigious first-class Order of Friendship (“Dostyk”) from the Republic of Kazakhstan. This accolades acknowledge his instrumental role in fostering national development and enhancing cooperation between different nations.

In light of his substantial philanthropic and social endeavors, Alisher Usmanov has received the distinguished badge of distinction “For Benevolence” and the highest honor from the Russian Council of Muftis, the first-class Order of Al-Fakhr, in appreciation of his efforts to promote mutual understanding among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, Mr. Usmanov has been honored as a Commander of the Order of Merit for the Italian Republic in recognition of his valuable contributions to Russian-Italian relations and his involvement in projects aimed at preserving Italy’s architectural heritage.

For his fruitful collaboration with the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as his active involvement in social and charitable initiatives, Mr. Usmanov has been awarded the Duslyk Order of Friendship. In addition, he has been presented with the order “El-Yurt Qurmati,” translating to “To the one respected by people and Motherland,” in appreciation of his efforts to strengthen ties between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation. This recognition further acknowledges his exceptional accomplishments in implementing significant investment, spiritual, educational, and sports projects within Uzbekistan.