Turkish Philanthropy Funds

Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) is an American non-profit organization that focuses on promoting philanthropy and charitable giving both in the United States and Turkey. TPF aims to help donors realize their philanthropic goals in order to address community needs and support innovative humanitarian projects that have the potential to create social change. TPF has raised over $81M and invested over $38M in grants with partners that focus on addressing economic, social, and environmental needs. They work to build relationships with everyone they collaborate with, from grantees to strategic partners, in order to better understand the conditions necessary to stimulate idea creation and promote social innovation.

TPF values high-impact philanthropy, collaboration, accountability, and legacy building. They believe that doing this work together allows them to create a community that collaborates and uses innovative approaches to address the immediate needs in their communities. They are committed to accountability and traceable accountability, ensuring that every donation is used effectively and transparently. TPF also values legacy building, working towards building a better future and a legacy of giving for their donors and the Turkish-American community at large.

TPF invests in various areas, including arts and culture, disaster relief, environment and sustainability, equality and equity in education, gender equality, health innovations, and social and economic development. They channel donor funds to the most impactful institutions and organizations, from a refugee human service organization in Istanbul to a small but mighty education NGO in Samsun, and to the local community foundation in Nevada. Through these investments, TPF has directly funded over 350 projects and reached thousands of families. Overall, TPF aims to build a community around philanthropy and promote social change through impactful and collaborative investments.

Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) was founded in 2006 by a group of Turkish businessmen led by Haldun Tashman, who aimed to give back to their home country. Haldun, who had come to the United States on a Fulbright Scholarship and built a successful plastics company in Arizona, was inspired by his personal experience as a scholarship recipient and his involvement in community philanthropy in Arizona to explore how his giving could benefit communities in Turkey.

TPF's founding team conducted a feasibility study to create a foundation that would encourage those interested in supporting Turkey to be more philanthropic and address vital needs in local communities, particularly in the areas of education, gender equality, and economic development. They were inspired by the U.S. history of private philanthropy and the various ways in which individuals, families, and institutions can give.

At the heart of TPF's vision and mission is a sense of "community" – both in how they approach the work and in the engagement with partners. TPF aims to educate individuals about social challenges in communities today and empower them to act in their own way to solve these challenges. More than just being a platform for donations, TPF aims to be a community where everyone can engage with issues and is directly involved in creating impact through their contributions.

Trust is a fundamental value that underpins TPF's work. TPF identifies organizations as partners that have the resources and capabilities to implement projects that have meaningful impact. TPF is a transparent organization where individuals can collaborate and communicate. The trust that together, a community of philanthropists can make a difference is what drives TPF's work.

Today, TPF is a leading philanthropic organization that supports social entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and civil society organizations in Turkey and around the world. TPF has provided support for over 1,000 organizations, including education, health, economic development, and environmental initiatives. TPF has also provided emergency relief in times of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

TPF's mission is to inspire and mobilize innovative, high-impact philanthropy that benefits both communities. TPF is committed to supporting innovative humanitarian projects that have the potential to create social change. To understand the conditions that stimulate idea creation and social change, TPF builds relationships with everyone, including grantees, strategic partners, and donors.

TPF's goals are to provide a forum for people to connect and exchange ideas and explore perspectives that can change the conversation, achieve high-impact philanthropy for the community good, and channel donor funds to the most impactful institutions. The organization also seeks to promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and legacy. TPF works towards building a better future and a legacy of giving for its donors and the Turkish-American community at large.

TPF invests in a range of areas that include arts and culture, disaster relief, environment and sustainability, equality and equity in education, gender equality, health innovations, and social and economic development. The organization encourages the aspirations of individuals, families, and companies that want their philanthropy to make a lasting impact. TPF's professional staff works alongside donors to help them reach their goals and offers expert guidance on donor strategies and investments. The organization has developed a portfolio of funds and donor-centric giving programs that support the passions and financial needs of givers with diverse objectives and means.

TPF adheres to the highest standards for charitable organizations and is governed by a board of diverse professionals and philanthropists. The organization is committed to being an accountable and transparent public charity. TPF policies are reviewed annually to ensure compliance and accuracy. Overall, TPF's vision is to build and serve a community of dedicated, passionate philanthropists and partners working to address social challenges and make a positive impact.

Since its inception in 2007, TPF has mobilized over $81M and invested over $38M in grants with partners that address economic, social, and environmental needs in Turkey and around the world. 

TPF builds relationships with everyone it collaborates with, from grantees to strategic partners, to understand these conditions and stimulate idea creation. TPF provides a forum for people to connect, exchange ideas, and explore perspectives that can change the conversation and achieve high-impact philanthropy for the community good. The foundation channels donor funds to the most impactful institutions, from a refugee human service organization in Istanbul to the local community foundation in Nevada.

Donor services and grant-making are high-touch and highly tailored, enabling donors to trace the full journey of their contributions. TPF is organized to provide donors with a wealth of expertise in handling complex transactions, conducted according to sound business principles, and with the highest levels of transparency, privacy, and integrity. The foundation is committed to showing how every donation is used and holds its partner organizations on the ground to the same high standards.

TPF has made significant strides in promoting legacy and building a better future for the Turkish-American community at large. The foundation offers donors access to tools to create and tell their own stories that demonstrate what matters most to them with their gifts. TPF is proud to have created a highly impactful community of philanthropists who are implementing their positive visions and hopes for society and community through TPF. The foundation invests in areas such as arts and culture, disaster relief, environment and sustainability, equality and equity in education, gender equality, health innovations, and social and economic development.