In New York, İlhan established a successful career as a physician, while Neriman pursued her dream as a tailor. Though they thrived in America, their bond with Türkiye — their first adopted homeland— remained unbroken. Friends remember them as a couple full of life, deeply committed to the well-being of others, and always eager to give back.

When İlhan passed away in 2007 after a battle with cancer, Neriman carried forward their shared values. Before her own passing in 2014, she made a profound decision: to ensure that their generosity lived on through planned gifts in her will. She designated charitable bequests to five organizations in Türkiye—the Turkish Oncology Foundation, Hand-in-Hand Foundation (TSK Elele Vakfı), Foundation for Children with Leukemia, Turkish Education Foundation, and Darülaceze Foundation.

Working closely with the trustees of her estate, Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) served as the bridge to fulfill Neriman’s wishes. By administering her planned gifts and delivering them to trusted partners in Türkiye, TPF ensured that the Nuraltay family’s legacy of resilience, generosity, and love for humankind continues to touch lives for generations to come.

We remember Neriman Hanım and İlhan Bey with deep gratitude, honoring their story as a testament to the power of planned giving and the enduring impact of a well-lived life.

Explore Planned Giving

When Fügen was growing up, she experienced her parents supporting two new students every year from their community. Their contributions enabled those students to continue their education from middle-school through college, making sure they were not held back from their dreams due to financial burdens. Fügen believes observing her parents giving back so generously to their community and experiencing the joy it brought to her family made her the person she is today. “Ever since I can remember, my parents have given to others. They strongly supported Turkish causes, primarily education and particularly young disadvantaged children. They helped support the education of many children over the years.” Fügen recalls how both of her parents always asked her, ‘If something happens to us, will you continue to support the children we are supporting?’ For Fügen, continuing the support was no question. She was taught early on the importance of education, especially equal and quality education, and continuing her family’s legacy through investing in education was already something she planned to do. After her mother passed away as she reminisced on her childhood, she once again saw the impact and importance of her family’s generosity, and was determined to carry out her family’s legacy.

In today’s world, youth face many stressful moments, but how they react to them can make all the difference.

A new study done by the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, MIT, and Transforming Education suggests that mindfulness education — lessons on techniques to calm the mind and body — can reduce the negative effects of stress and increase students’ ability to stay engaged, helping them stay on track academically and avoid behavior problems. TPF donor, Seray İncoğlu, first-handedly experienced the difference mindfulness practice can make in one’s life. Seray, a mother of two and a very successful professional in finance, was introduced to mindfulness later in life. “As soon as I started to practice it, my life completely changed – it was as if a light switch had turned on in my head. I wish I had learned about mindfulness at a younger age. Practicing mindfulness has countless benefits, including decreasing depression, anxiety, and stress and improving overall well-being, happiness, and self-love,” she stated. “Mindfulness practice teaches us to focus on the present without judgment. It teaches us to weather the daily pressures of life by focusing on and controlling our own thoughts and actions today. It also reminds us that we all have limitless potential. I knew having this knowledge could change many people’s lives, especially those who are already facing disadvantages in their life,” added Seray.

Seray’s personal philanthropic journey with TPF started when she reached out to get advice on supporting education in Türkiye. “I was brought up in a household where education was extremely important. My father and mother were great mentors in this regard. Education is one of the strongest instruments for many different facets of life – education promotes self-love, respect, and awareness; it reduces poverty improves gender equality, and endorses world peace.” Seray knew she wanted to support causes working in this area in Türkiye but was unsure where to start. Conversations with TPF evolved into a place where she dived deeper into what her real passion was. She wanted to make quality education available to all, but “was that all?” she found herself questioning. The outcome of her pursuit through conversations with TPF was the establishment of a pilot mindfulness program with Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği (ÇYDD) Şile branch.

As Seray searched for ways to have the most impact on a young person’s life through education, she found herself looking for a solution involving introducing mindfulness. Seray believes that the traditional education system lacks the resources to provide adequate psychological and mental support or teach the proper coping mechanisms. “Life is truly beautiful, but it can certainly be a very busy, chaotic at times, and sometimes cruel. It can be even harder for kids to understand and cope with all of these issues that we face in everyday life. Financial distress, family trauma, and societal pressures can lead to depression in many kids and teens. Depression numbers in teens are rising at a staggering rate. Roughly 20 percent of all teens experience depression before adulthood. And, unfortunately, severe depression can lead to suicide. Every 100 minutes, a teen takes his/her life.” “That is just not acceptable,” Seray believed, so she decided to make a difference in that area.

ÇYDD’s pilot project supports young women aged 13-17 who are already ÇYDD scholarship recipients by training them on mindfulness practices. The “Stay in the Moment” program launched in January 2022 in Şile, İstanbul, as a 10-week, 20-hour program. Young women practiced mindfulness to help them manage their emotions in their daily lives. They learned the tools needed to stay calm, trust themselves, respond without reacting, and stop living in constant worry. Practicing mindfulness helped those young women notice their emotions and shift to more neutral thinking, like how their breath feels as they inhale and exhale. One program attendee said, “Learning to be mindful helped me manage my emotions and helped me tackle challenges. I know I can slow down my thoughts and focus on the present now. I am still working on responding without reacting, but I also understand that even being aware of that is a big step.”

What started as a hope for ‘young women in Türkiye to unlock their own power within and see that they truly are limitless’ transformed into a project with the guidance of TPF for Seray. Seray says, “TPF is a great platform where like-minded individuals can unite to share resources and ideas on giving back.” As TPF worked with Seray to find a project that is both meaningful to her and could have a long-term impact, no one thought of an outcome such as the mindfulness program. Yet, once again, we have seen that our donors’ passion for giving and care for the community, combined with our philanthropic expertise, make us an incredible team. And, our greatest impact is made possible through our generous donors’ contributions. Thank you, Seray, for being an inspiration not only to us but to many young women in Türkiye.

Through the years, the Doluca family has given to many organizations in the U.S. and Türkiye. As their success grew, Lale and Tunç discussed how to use their good fortune to benefit others, especially in their native country where they were born and raised. They were most passionate about supporting education, providing shelter, and fighting against hunger. Defining their focus helped lead their decision: they wanted to have a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in Türkiye.

Yet, they didn’t know exactly which organization to support and where to support their search. During an annual visit to his company’s office in Istanbul, Tunç was introduced to Darüşşafaka Society. The organization seemed like a perfect fit since it supported children’s education from a younger age.

Reflecting on the importance of their younger years and the influence of those years on their success, the Dolucas believed Darüşşafaka Society was the right organization.

“The first ten years of our education is where we all acquire our habits and develop our passions, and our characters are molded. Those are the really critical years if you think about yourself or if you think about others and you can see that.”

Lale and Tunç believed they were fortunate enough to have parents that supported them and helped them through their early years. However, many children, who are very smart and have so much potential, do not have that support in those critical years due to extreme poverty or the loss of a family member. These circumstances can have a high impact on children and their future. Yet, with organizations like Darüşşafaka Society, these children are provided an opportunity to have a quality education that will lead them to follow their dreams.

Tunç also felt a greater sense of confidence in the organization, as a classmate of his from college, Bülent, was a Darüşşafaka graduate. He saw how successful, driven, and caring Bülent was throughout the years.

Slowly, the Dolucas began to bond with the Darüşşafaka Society and supported them annually through their DAF at TPF. Their impact grew when they strengthened that bond with a partnership with Turkish Philanthropy Funds.

During the summer of 2020, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dolucas became aware of the impact the pandemic had on students in Türkiye. Their friend who introduced them to Darüşşafaka reached out and expressed how the needs of Darüşşafaka had grown greater. Education was truly remote for some but not for all, since some students didn’t have access to tools such as computers and the internet. There was a significant gap in solutions for youth. Yet, there was a lack of donations. The Dolucas decided that they would like to bridge that gap, but they knew they needed others to join them.

Lale and Tunç have worked with TPF through the years, and Tunç Doluca has held onto what Haldun Tashman told him years ago:If you are going to give back, it is better to do it when you’re alive instead of through your will because not only will you get a head start on giving, but you will be able to see the impact of your gifts, and that will make you feel good.”

This approach became the center of their philanthropy. This drive, combined with their trust in TPF, made them reach out to Turkish Philanthropy Funds to discuss how they could increase their impact on the Darüşşafaka Society. “We thought Turkish Philanthropy Funds has the organizational skills, capabilities, and ability for our donation to grow through their reach and wide network,” notes Tunç Doluca. “We also knew that getting a tax deduction for contributions to Darüşşafaka through TPF would be a bonus for many donors.”

The Dolucas learned that they could amplify their support by turning their contribution into a matching gift campaign. They were immediately attracted to the idea, and the TPF team worked to put together a year-end campaign with Darüşşafaka Society.

The campaign launched in October of 2020 and successfully met and exceeded its goal by December 31st, 2020. The campaign, “Join the Journey of Children’s Education with Darüşşafaka Society,” with the generous matching gift of $250,000 from Lale and Tunç Doluca, raised over $506,000.

Lale and Tunç Doluca now feel they can look back and see that they have lived up to the words of Haldun Tashman. They can see the impact their giving has made, which provides them with a great sense of joy.

Zeynep reflected on her family’s generosity, especially to the community she grew up in: “I grew up in a city where the central mosque carries the name of my great-grandfather and schools are named after my parents. After my grandmother passed away, we met so many people whom she had silently supported financially for years.”

Talk around giving back had always been the staple of dinner conversations when Zeynep was growing up. Both of her parents are individual recipients of the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Outstanding Service Award (TBMM Üstün Hizmet Ödülü). They built schools, provided countless scholarships, and supported many civic and cultural projects. After they retired, philanthropy became their sole purpose.

“Their philosophy has always been to keep one-third of what they made, pay one third in taxes, and give back the remaining one third. Throughout my life I’ve seen how spiritually fulfilling giving back has been for my parents,” notes Zeynep.

Her parents are the quintessential model for giving; their lives of generosity will continue to impact those they care about long beyond their lifetimes. And, that is also what matters the most to Zeynep and her husband, Evren.

“It’s been the greatest gift,” says Zeynep. “I feel like what my parents taught us was an opportunity – an opportunity to make a difference and to explore within ourselves something they had already figured out: lifting up the people around you is what matters most. They knew that giving back could bring good to others, but also to us as we practiced generosity TOGETHER.”

Today, Zeynep and Evren use their giving to help create a stronger community and a healthier society. Their preference is to support projects that may be otherwise unpopular or controversial for widespread support and programs that help people become self-sufficient.

“This is a great way to broaden our perception of the needs in our communities,” they note.

Zeynep and her husband, Evren, have embedded giving back in their lifestyles. Early on in her career, when Zeynep did not have the financial means to give, she was designing branding for non-profit organizations and helping them with their communication needs on a pro bono basis. Evren became a regular supporter of Action Against Hunger early in his career, an organization for which Zeynep also became a big advocate.

Their support to cure child malnutrition resonated even more as they became parents, in hopes to help lower and eventually end child deaths due to malnutrition in the world. Now, as young parents, they constantly look for ways that can empower their two children philanthropically and get them excited about the ways they can contribute to society.

“We have an obligation to give back where we live, where we come from, and to invest in our communities. We want our children to grow up learning about our family’s culture of giving and see themselves as part of the community narrative,” notes Zeynep.

The couple’s two children are both nature lovers and really worry about climate change, so their giving involves organizations that fight it. Zeynep and Evren are aware that there are many worthy causes, so being able to focus and know what’s most important to them as a family, and being able to align that with the giving they do, has been really meaningful to their family.

Bilimers appreciate the many opportunities to learn and engage when you partner with TPF, whether it’s information about effective nonprofits in Türkiye, support in vetting these non-profits, or the variety of issue-focused events TPF hosts. There’s something for everyone.

For Bilimers, TPF allows their family to be a part of something their ancestors would’ve deeply appreciated. And, as the daughter of major philanthropists, Zeynep feels that this is her way to honor her family’s selfless acts and support of their immediate communities. And, as a bonus, Zeynep notes: “Giving back in return gives you a sense of purpose and you are happier and healthier as a result.”

Mustafa Kemal Abadan’s father, Yavuz Abadan was a renown professor who specialized in politics, law as well as history. Famous for his published works, he was a pioneering constitutional law professor and served as the Dean of the Political Science Faculty of Ankara University for many years. Even though he passed away in 1967, he is still remembered as a legend at Ankara University and his books are still being taught today. 

His mother, Neriman Abadan Unat, widely known as “Hocaların hocası” (teacher of teachers) recently celebrated her 95th birthday. Imagine a woman who ran away from home when she was 14 years old to a country which she wasn’t even speaking its native language, just to be able to go to school. That’s Nermin Abadan Unat, who is famous for her determination, hard work and passion for knowledge. She dedicated her whole life to her students, her appreciated work on law and women’s rights. Regardless of her age, she is still teaching at her home where her students from Bosphorus University, come once a week to be nourished by her wisdom and passion. 

Inspired by his parents, Mustafa Kemal Abadan established a scholarship fund, The Abadan Awards, at Koç University, to encourage early-career scholars who are pursuing and/or completed their post-graduate studies in Türkiye or abroad. The awards are administered by Koç University and alternate each year between Dr. Yavuz Abadan Constitutional Law Award for studies in constitutional law; and Dr. Nermin Abadan-Unat Social Science Award in the area of social studies with a particular focus on women’s research. What a way to say “thank you for making me who I am today and inspiring me to give back.”

Like millions of people around the world, he searched online for a trusted way to support the relief effort. That search led him to Turkish Philanthropy Funds.

After learning more about TPF and its earthquake response, Burtay made a donation. But he soon realized that he wanted to do more. Together with two Turkish American colleagues, Elif Şensürücü and Cengiz Bektaş, he organized a fundraising campaign within his company. What began as a simple idea quickly grew into a collective effort, raising more than $10,000 for the TPF Earthquake Fund to support urgent relief efforts.

For Burtay, however, raising funds was only the beginning.

He reached out to TPF to introduce himself, offering his time and expertise as a technology professional. As donations poured in from around the world, TPF faced an unexpected challenge: managing an extraordinary volume of information while responding to one of the largest humanitarian crises in the organization’s history.

Burtay immediately saw where he could help. Together with Elif and Cengiz, he volunteered his expertise to analyze donation flows and build systems that helped organize and make sense of the incoming data. Their work happened almost entirely behind the scenes, but it gave the TPF team clearer information, faster decision-making, and more time to focus on what mattered most: delivering support to communities affected by the disaster.

What began as a search for a place to give became something much more meaningful.

Burtay found a community where his generosity, skills, and commitment could all make a difference.

Today, he continues to volunteer his expertise, helping strengthen TPF’s technology infrastructure and database systems while remaining an active member of the TPF community. Whether supporting new initiatives, solving technical challenges, or lending a hand whenever it is needed, he continues to show up with the same generosity that first brought him to TPF.

His story is a reminder that philanthropy is not measured only by financial contributions. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are our time, our knowledge, and our willingness to help others succeed. Those are the connections that strengthen communities and make lasting impact possible.

Born into a family that valued education and community service, Bozer was instilled with a sense of responsibility from an early age. His upbringing in Türkiye, combined with his experiences as a global business leader, shaped a worldview that philanthropy is not merely an obligation but a fundamental pillar of a life well-lived.

What truly distinguishes Bozer’s approach is the philosophy that guides him. This philosophy offers Bozer a lens through which he views the world, underpinned by interconnectedness of all beings, human potential, service, and compassion. This approach has deeply influenced Bozer’s philanthropic endeavors. Following his retirement from full-time executive life, he has been working. Recently, he completed a book on human potential, a project he has dedicated the last seven years to writing.

The Seeds of his Philanthropy

Bozer’s philanthropic journey began long before he became a prominent figure on the global stage. As a young man, he was keenly aware of the disparities in opportunity that existed in his homeland. Türkiye, with its rich cultural history and vibrant society, was also a country where many struggled to access the resources necessary for personal and professional growth.

His education at the Middle East Technical University, followed by an MBA from Georgia State University, further broadened his horizons. As his wealth and influence grew, Bozer viewed them not as personal achievements, but as tools for serving humanity.

During his time in the United States, he encountered the concept of strategic philanthropy—using resources not just to give back, but to create lasting, systemic change. This idea, closely aligned with his beliefs in human potential, became a cornerstone of his philanthropic philosophy.

A Visionary Leader with a Global Perspective

Bozer’s career at The Coca-Cola Company, where he rose to become the President of Coca-Cola International, afforded him a unique platform to influence positive change on a global scale. He understood that with great power comes great responsibility.

During his tenure, Bozer championed initiatives that went beyond the bottom line, focusing on sustainable development, water stewardship, and economic empowerment in underserved communities.

But Bozer’s most profound contributions came through his dedication to education, which he viewed as a means of empowering individuals. Bozer recognized that education is the most powerful tool to lift individuals and communities out of poverty.

He directed significant efforts towards creating educational opportunities for young people, particularly in Türkiye. For Bozer, education was not just about acquiring knowledge but about cultivating wisdom, fostering innovation, and equipping future generations to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.

The Birth of the Bozer Family Fund

In 2017, after retiring from his notable career at Coca-Cola, Ahmet Bozer established the Bozer Family Fund at Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), a culmination of decades of philanthropic work.

His introduction to TPF was serendipitous—he happened to sit next to Haldun Taşman at a friend’s dinner party. Bozer quickly bonded with Taşman, seeing in him the demeanor, wisdom, and spirit of his own grandfather despite many decades of age difference.

Taşman’s philosophy and his motivations to give back resonated deeply with Ahmet, leading him to join TPF’s Board of Directors and eventually establish his fund at TPF.

The fund quickly became a hope for many. It provided scholarships to deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds, enabling them to pursue higher education both in Türkiye and the U.S.

Bozer’s approach was holistic—he understood that financial support was only one piece of the puzzle. He also provided mentorship and networking opportunities, ensuring that these young people were well-equipped to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. Among those Ahmet supported, there are doctors, data scientists and promising global hi-tech talent.

Given the flexibility of Donor-Advised Funds, which allow donors to support causes they are passionate about, Ahmet Bozer extends his philanthropy beyond scholarships. He also champions nonprofit organizations focused on education and technology.

Among those he supports are KODA (Village Schools Exchange Network) and YGA (Young Guru Academy), reflecting his commitment to fostering innovation and learning.

Bozer’s philanthropic efforts have created a ripple effect, inspiring countless others to give back. He firmly believes in the power of collective action, often saying, “Philanthropy is not about one person doing everything; it is about everyone doing something.”

This belief in the collective power of TPF to bring people together is what drives his commitment to reaching more communities in need. His actions are guided by his faith in the transformative power of service and the boundless potential within every individual.

Bozer’s vision for the future of philanthropy is rooted in inclusivity, sustainability, and personal awareness. He advocates for a model where philanthropy is woven into the very fabric of society, with businesses, governments, and individuals all contributing to the creation of a more just and equitable world.

As a strong proponent of strategic partnerships, Bozer believes that the most significant challenges can only be addressed through collaboration.

Ahmet Bozer’s philanthropic journey is a masterclass in leadership, vision, and commitment to making a difference. His legacy extends beyond the funds he has donated—it lives in the lives he has touched, the opportunities he has created, and the wisdom he has shared.

Through his work at TPF and his giving fund, Bozer continues to inspire a new generation of philanthropists, leaders, and change-makers, proving that with the right vision and dedication, we can indeed build a better world, one person at a time.

VIDEO

Dr. Metin Taşkın’s journey began in Kavak, a small town nestled in the hills of northern Türkiye’s city of Samsun. Growing up in a close-knit community, he was surrounded by the love of his family and the support of neighbors who saw promise in the young boy with a curious mind and a compassionate heart. It was this support that fueled his dream of becoming a doctor—a dream that would take him far from home, first to Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, and eventually to the United States.

After completing his medical education in Türkiye, Metin seized an opportunity to further his studies in the U.S., where he specialized in hematology. During his residency, he met Asuman. They were drawn to each other by their shared passion for helping others and a mutual respect for the sacrifices that had brought them to this point in their lives. Together, Metin and Asuman built a life in America, dedicating themselves to their professions and raising a family. But despite their success and the new life they had created, Metin never forgot his roots. He carried with him a deep desire to give back to the hometown that had nurtured his early ambitions.

As he advanced in his career, Metin began to think more seriously about how he could make a meaningful impact, both in Türkiye and in the U.S. Around this time, the couple was introduced to Turkish Philanthropy Funds and decided to establish a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at TPF. This fund would allow them to support causes close to their hearts—such as libraries in Metin’s hometown of Kavak and educational and cultural programs in both Türkiye and the U.S. Through the DAF, they were able to direct funds to specific projects, ensuring that their contributions made a direct and tangible impact. TPF guided them along the way, connecting them with the right organizations and helping make their vision a reality.

As the years passed, Metin and Asuman continued to expand their philanthropic efforts. They became active members of the TPF community, working closely with the organization to identify new opportunities for giving. They found immense joy in knowing that their contributions were making a difference in the lives of others.

However, Metin and Asuman were also practical. They knew that one day they would no longer be there to personally oversee their charitable activities. To ensure that their legacy of giving would continue, they decided to include TPF in their estate planning. They worked with TPF to set up a planned giving arrangement, which would ensure that after they both passed away, a portion of their estate would be directed to their DAF. This would allow their son, and hopefully, one day their grandchildren, to carry on the work they had started, supporting the causes they cared about most.

The planned giving arrangement was a reflection of their enduring commitment to philanthropy. It gave them peace of mind, knowing that their legacy would live on, continuing to support the communities they loved.

Today, Dr. Metin Taşkın and Asuman Taşkın’s story serves as an inspiring example of how one can bridge the gap between two worlds through generosity and a commitment to making a difference. Through their Donor Advised Fund and planned giving, they have not only supported their hometown in Türkiye but have also contributed to the many causes in the U.S. Their legacy is one of compassion, vision, and a deep love for the communities that shaped their lives.

As Metin often says, “Our journey in life is not just about what we achieve, but about what we give back.” Through their thoughtful planning and dedication, Metin and Asuman have ensured that their journey of giving will continue for generations to come. We’re honored to be a part of their legacy and look forward to empowering our communities in the way the Taşkın family dreams of.