2026-08-18T10:44:53-07:00 2025-12-31 931638954 Tam Accounting Inc 5000 Centregreen Way Ste 500 Cary NC 27513 990 2025-01-01 260871109 AZIZ AND GWEN SANCAR FOUNDATION AZIZ 9192407075 1609 EAST FRANKLIN STREET CHAPEL HILL NC 27515 ISMAIL ARSLAN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 9192407075 2026-04-17 true Yesim Sal Deretam EA P02277977 5404295555 2026-08-18 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z AZIZ & GWEN SANCAR FOUNDATION ISMAIL ARSLAN 3530 SAGEDALE COURT HIGH POINT NC 27265 348877 false X www.sancar.org X 2007 NC THE FOUNDATION IS DEVOTED TO EDUCATION IN ITS BROADEST SENSE. IT PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING OF 6 6 3 11 0 0 297247 138297 11625 33257 143351 177323 0 452223 348877 0 0 0 0 0 292163 346627 292163 346627 160060 2250 9939301 9930431 21490 22033 9917811 9908398 THE FOUNDATION IS DEVOTED TO EDUCATION IN ITS BROADEST SENSE. IT PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING OF TO FACILITATE EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN TURKIYE AND THE USA THROUGH LECTURES, FILMS, SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND EXHIBITS CONDUCTED AT THE BUILDING false false 28235 0 98516 THE FOUNDATION RENTED THEIR GREAT HALL TO VARIOUS TURKISH GROUPS/ ORGANIZATIONS FOR MEETINGS; THE CENTER PROVIDED VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES; THESE EVENTS INCREASED AN UNDERSTANDING OF TURKIYE; COOKING CLASSESS WERE HELD TO TEACH HOW TO PREPARE DELICIOUS AND POPULER TURKISH AND MEDITERRANEAN DISHES; CULTURAL EVENTS WERE OFFERED DURING THE YEAR TO LEARN ABOUT THE MANY FACETS OF TURKISH HISTORY AND CULTURE WHICH INCLUDE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, ART SHOWS, MOVIES AND VARIOUS OTHER CLASSES VARIOUS OTHER CLASSES. 0 0 0 THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS DAY FESTIVAL THAT IS HELD ANNUALLY IN CARY, NC. THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANIZED AND RUN BY THE ASSOCIATION OF TURKISH-AMERICANS - NORTH CAROLINA. THIS IS PART OF THE FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM TO FOSTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF TURKISH CULTURE BY OTHER NATIONALITIES IN THE AREA. 28235 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 0 0 3 true false true TU false false false false false false false false X 6 6 true false false false false false false true false false false true true true true false false false false false ISMAIL ARSLAN 3363247083 3530 SAGEDALE COURT HIGH POINT NC 27265 X ISMAIL ARSLAN Chairman 20.00 X 0 0 0 FEVZI YALIN Vice Chairman 30.00 X 0 0 0 NIHAT CUBUKCU Member 10.00 X 0 0 0 DOUG DICKERSON MEMBER 20.00 X 0 0 0 JORDAN SCEPANSKI TREASURER 20.00 X 0 0 0 SELIN OZER SECRETARY 15.00 0 0 0 false false false 138297 138297 RENTAL INCOME 531120 33257 0 0 33257 177323 0 0 348877 210580 0 0 0 0 0 0 63631 0 63631 0 6180 0 6180 0 1015 0 1015 0 3415 0 3415 0 170584 0 170584 0 5939 5939 0 0 REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE 17546 0 17546 0 UTILITIES 12582 0 12582 0 SUBCONTRACTORS 7910 7910 0 0 57825 14386 43439 0 346627 28235 318392 0 34026 41378 1938379 1536767 7757 6660 9211125 865499 7955768 8345626 3371 9939301 9930431 15352 15352 6138 6681 21490 22033 X 9917811 9908398 9917811 9908398 9939301 9930431 2250 -11663 X false false false X 0 60762 2038880 58619 308872 171553 2638686 0 0 60762 2038880 58619 308872 171553 2638686 0 2638686 10 20604 135626 156240 0 0 2794926 0.94410 0.93490 X 0 0 0 Pt II Ln 17a THE AZIZ AND GWEN SANCAR FOUNDATION (AGSF) IS ORGANIZED AS A PUBLIC CHARITY UNDER IRC SECTION 509 (A) (1) AND IS RELYING ON BROAD PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT TO MEET THE PUBLIC SUPPORT TEST. AGSF IS A COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION DEVOTED TO EDUCATION IN ITS BROADEST SENSE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FACILITIES AND FOSTERS SERVICE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. AGSF PROMOTES BETTER UNDERSTANDINGS OF TURKIYE AND TURKISH CULTURE AND HERITAGE IN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH A VARIETY OF VENUES INCLUDING LECTURES, FILMS, EXHIBITS, AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS. ORGANIZED FOR EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES, THE ORGANIZATION HAS MAINTAINED SINCE 2008 A CULTURAL AND SOCIAL CENTER (CAROLINA TURKISH HOUSE) AT CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL AND DUKE UNIVERSITY. THE CENTER IS OPERATED BY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, AND IS OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR CROSS CULTURAL GATHERINGS. THE CENTER SERVES NORTH CAROLINAS COMMUNITY AT LARGE FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD. THE ORGANIZATIONS ALL VOLUNTEER GOVERNING BOARD IS COMPRISED OF ACADEMICIANS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS. FUNDS ARE SOLICITED FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH SPECIAL EVENTS HELD AT THE CENTER. THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS TURKISH COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS. TURKISH LANGUAGE CLASSES ARE ALSO HELD AT THE CENTER WHEN THERE IS SUFFICIENT DEMAND. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS LIBRARY COLLECTION BY ADDING ADDITIONAL BOOKS AND DVDS RELATED TO TURKIYE. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND WHO HAS INTEREST IN TURKISH CULTURE. THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATES WITH THE TURKISH STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS AT UNC-CHAPEL HILL AND DUKE UNIVERSITY TO PROMOTE STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES AND ORGANIZES PROGRAMS INCLUDING FEATURED SPEAKERS, TURKISH FOOD, MUSIC, AND DANCING AT THE ANNUAL CHAPEL HILL TURKISH DAY. GRADUATION RECEPTIONS AND CHILDRENS BIRTHDAY PARTIES, AS WELL AS HOLIDAY GATHERINGS AND IMPORTANT DATE CELEBRATIONS ARE HELD BY AND FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OUTREACH EFFORTS TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE ARE PART OF THE ORGANIZATIONS EFFORTS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT THE CENTER. VISITING TURKISH PROFESSORS AND POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS TO UNC CHAPEL HILL, DUKE AND NC STATE UNIVERSITIES AND AT RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CENTER. THE AMERICAN TURKISH ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA IS A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS AT THE CENTER. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO COLLABORATES WITH THE INTERNATIONAL FOCUS COUNCIL AT A BOOTH DURING THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL HELD IN RALEIGH EACH YEAR. THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS IN THE LIFE OF AGSF, THE FOUNDERS WERE FOCUSED ON SECURING A LOCAL FACILITY FOR ITS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. DR. AZIZ SANCAR WAS AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY IN 2015 AND THIS PUBLICITY MADE MANY MORE DONORS AWARE OF THE WORK OF THE SANCAR FOUNDATION. SINCE 2015 THE ORGANIZATION HAS BROADENED ITS FUND-RAISING EFFORTS BEYOND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS TO INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL DONORS (PRIMARILY TURKISH). A COMPREHENSIVE WEB SITE (SANCAR.ORG) DETAILS THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION AND IS GENERATING ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SUPPORT. THE FOUNDERS AND TWO BOARD MEMBERS TRAVELED TO TURKIYE IN 2018 TO PUBLICIZE THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION AND ARE PROVIDING WAYS FOR THE TURKISH DONOR BASE TO SUPPORT THIS WORK THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNTS AT IS BANK IN TURKIYE. THESE ACCOUNTS ENCOURAGE SMALL DONORS BY TAKING DONATIONS IN TURKISH LIRA; THE FOUNDATION THEN PAYS THE WIRE TRANSFER AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE FEES TO MOVE DONATED FUNDS TO OUR U. S. ACCOUNTS. DURING THE 2016 TAX YEAR, LAND WITH A FAIR MARKET VALUE OF $1,490,000 WAS PURCHASED AT A COST OF $1,275,000. A BARGAIN SALE AMOUNT OF $215,000 WAS RECORDED AS A NON-CASH CONTRIBUTION. A NEW CULTURAL CENTER FACILITY CALLED THE SANCAR TURKISH CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTER (STCCC), WAS PLANNED AND APPROVED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. OUR PREVIOUS FACILITY WAS SOLD IN JULY 2019 AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST PHASE OF STCCC BEGAN IN 2019 AND WAS COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 2020. COMPLETION OF THE FIRST PHASE HAS ALLOWED US TO EXPAND BOTH THE SCOPE AND SIZE OF OUR OFFERINGS TO THE TURKISH, TURKISH-AMERICAN AND AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. OUR EXPANDED PROGRAM AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FURTHER ENCOURAGE CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND AN EXPANDED DONOR BASE. THESE TYPES OF RECEIPTS AND DONATIONS WILL INCREASE THE PUBLIC SPPORT PERCENTAGE. A SECOND STRUCTURE CALLED THE SCHOLARS HOUSE HAS ALSO APPROVED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN IN 2023. DURING 2017 A $5,000,000 CASH CONTRIBUTION WAS RECEIVED WHICH WE REALIZED WOULD REDUCE OUR PUBLIC SUPPORT PERCENTAGE FOR THE YEAR AND WILL AFFECT THE PUBLIC SUPPORT PERCENTAGE FOR 4 OR MORE YEARS. WITHOUT THIS CONTRIBUTION THE PUBLIC SUPPORT PERCENTAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO 40% FOR 2018, SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. FORTUNATELY THIS EXTREMELY GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION ALLOWED US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CONSTRUCTION OF STCCC MUCH EARLIER THAN WE WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN ABLE TO DO. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN AND ALLOWED US TO IMPLEMENT A NEW AGGRESSIVE FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN IN TURKIYE AND AMONG TURKISH AMERICANS IN THE USA AND EMPHASIZED THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING AN EXPANDED PRESENCE IN NORTH CAROLINA. THIS CAMPAIGN INCLUDES VIDEO UPDATES OF OUR GROUND BREAKING, CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS UPDATES, AND VIDEOS DESCRIBING OUR PROGRAMS AND OFFERINGS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ONCE THE NEW FACILITY IS COMPLETED. ALL OF THESE ARE VISIBLE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND STIMULATE INTEREST IN THE FOUNDATION. OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST HAS BEEN THAT OUR DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ALWAYS INCREASE WHEN WE POST A VIDEO ABOUT A NEW ACTIVITY ON OUR WEBSITE (SANCAR.ORG) AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2020 WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS SUBSTANTIAL IN-KIND DONATIONS OF MATERIALS FROM TURKEY INCLUDING STONE FLOORING FOR MANY OF THE ROOMS IN THE CENTER, FURNITURE FOR THE OFFICES, WAITING AND LEISURE AREAS, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS INCLUDING DOORS AND TRIM THAT ARE DESIGNED TO REFLECT TURKISH DECORATIVE STYLE, CABINETS AND STONE COUNTERTOPS FOR OUR DEMONSTRATION KITCHEN AND STONE COUNTERTOPS FOR BATHROOM VANITIES, BOOK CASES, DISPLAY CASES AND TABLES AND CHAIRS FOR OUR LIBRARY, KITCHEN UTENSILS, DINNERWARE, TABLE CLOTHS AND NAPKINS, CHAIRS AND TABLES FOR OUR GREAT HALL WHICH IS OUR MAIN AREA FOR LARGE GATHERINGS. THESE DONATIONS SHOW A HIGH LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM TURKEY AND WILL ALSO HELP THE FOUNDATIONS PUBLIC SUPPORT PERCENTAGE. WITH THE NEW CULTURAL CENTER WE ARE EXPECTING ADDITIONAL DONATIONS AS THE ABILITY TO HAVE EXPANDED PROGRAMS WILL BE AVAILABLE. WE ANTICIPATE BEING ABLE TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL DONATIONS AND REVENUE THAT WILL MOST LIKELY NOT HAVE TO BE EXCLUDED. UNFORTUNATELY THE CENTER OPENED IN EARLY 2021, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC, AND THIS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED DONATIONS DURING LATE 2000 AND EARLY 2021. HOWEVER IN THE LATER PART OF 2021 WE SAW AN INCREASE IN INTEREST IN THE CENTER, IN ATTENDANCE AT CENTER FUNCTIONS, AND IN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND DONATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE WE HOSTED A TURKISH WEDDING CELEBRATION INVOLVING 100 ATTENDEES, A GATHERING OF OVER 50 RETURNING AND NEW LOCAL TURKISH COLLEGE STUDENTS, SEVERAL MEETINGS OF THE TURKISH CIRCLE (A GROUP OF LOCAL TURKISH COLLEGE STUDENTS, POST-DOCS AND FACULTY) TO DISCUSS TURKISH DRAMA, AND LITERATURE AND TURKISH CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY), A GALA AND DINNER ATTENDED BY 100 GUESTS TO CELEBRATE TURKISH REPUBLIC DAY AND A SIMILAR CELEBRATION OF AZERBAIJANI FLAG DAY (NOTE: AZERBAIJANIS ARE ETHNIC TURKS). WE ALSO HOSTED A LARGE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT CALLED STREETWISE ISTANBUL THAT RAN OVER 6 MONTHS IN OUR GREAT HALL AND WAS SEEN BY NUMEROUS AMERICANS AND TURKS DURING THAT TIME. WE HAVE ALSO REACHED OUT TO AMERICANS THROUGH A SERIES OF TURKISH COOKING CLASSES AND OF VEGAN COOKING CLASSES. IN 2022 WE BEGIN AN EXTENSIVE CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE OUR PRESENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO ACQUAINT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH THE PROGRAMS AND EVENTS AT THE SANCAR TURKISH CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTER. WE DEVELOPED A NEW COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE (SANCAR.ORG) THAT PRESENTS AND DETAILS OUR SERVICES OFFERED AND UPCOMING PROGRAMS INCLUDING COOKING CLASSES, CELEBRATIONS OF TURKISH HOLIDAYS, VENUES FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. WE ALSO RENT OUR CLASSROOMS FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS OF GARDEN CLUBS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION EVENTS, GIVE NARRATED TOURS OF OUR FACILITY TO VISITORS FROM LOCAL RETIREMENT VILLAGES AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS. THESE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS WILL ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE FROM THE GENERAL COMMUNITY TO VISIT THE CULTURAL CENTER AND WE EXPECT ADDITIONAL DONATIONS TO BE RECEIVED. THIS WILL ALLOW THE FOUNDATION TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE DESIRED 33 1/3 PERCENT PUBLIC SUPPORT. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1501811 1501811 6232608 803879 5428729 77011 61620 15391 1399695 1399695 8345626 N/A 6681 6681 Pt VI, Line 2 AZIZ SANCAR AND GWEN SANCAR ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE Pt VI, Line 8b THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMITTEES WITH AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY Pt VI, Line 11b FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THEIR COMMENTS ARE REQUESTED.AFTER A DRAFT HAS BEEN COMPLETED, IT IS SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD MEMBERS VIA E-MAIL AS A PDF COPY FOR COMMENT. FORM 990 IS ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST AND ON THE WEBSITE GUIDESTAR. Pt VI, Line 12c ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICY. DURING THIS MEETING BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REACH OUT DURING THE YEAR TO DISCUSS ANY ACTIVITIES THAT MIGHT VIOLATE THE ORGANIZATIONS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. EACH PERSON IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THE POLICY AND REPORT ANY CONCERNS ABOUT POTENTIAL CONFLICTS THEY MIGHT HAVE. AN OFFICER OF THE ORGANIZATION REVIEWS THESE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS AND DETERMINES HOW TO PROCEED GOING FORWARD. Pt VI, Line 19 TAX RETURNS, NON PROFIT DOCUMENTS, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR REVIEW UPON REQUEST. Other FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: TURKIYE AND TURKIC PEOPLES BY ORGANIZING AND HOSTING PROGRAMS CELEBRATING TURKISH CULTURE, ASSISTS AMERICANS TO STUDY ABROAD OR TRAVEL IN TURKIYE, PROVIDES TURKISH LANGUAGE CLASSES AND LECTURES ABOUT TRKIYE. Other FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: ACCLIMATE TO AMERICAN CULTURE; TO HOLD INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS AND LANGUAGE CLASSES FOR AMERICAN STUDENTS AS WELL AS TURKISH AMERICAN CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT FLUENT IN TURKISH; TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF TURKIYE AND PROMOTE CLOSER TIES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TURKIYE. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS 1581. 0. 1581. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e TRANSACTION FEE 318. 0. 318. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e COMPUTER EXPENSE 4215. 0. 4215. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e BANK CHARGES 375. 0. 375. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e INTEREST 30. 0. 30. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e OTHER BUSINESS EXPENSES 500. 0. 500. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e MEALS 1307. 0. 1307. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e REAL PROPERTY TAX 1628. 0. 1628. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e RENT LEASE 4243. 0. 4243. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e DONATIONS 521. 521. 0. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e DUES AND SUBSCRIPTION 666. 0. 666. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e PROFESSIONAL FEES 679. 0. 679. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e EVENTS 13465. 13465. 0. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e FREIGHT DELIVERY 109. 0. 109. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e WAGES 25616. 0. 25616. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e PAYROL TAXES 1931. 0. 1931. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e SUPPLIES 400. 400. 0. 0. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e ADERTISING PROMOTIONAL 241. 0. 241. 0.