Following the devastating earthquake in Southeastern Turkey, Hatay faced unprecedented destruction, including Serinyol Elementary and Middle School. Determined, TPF teamed up with the AKUT Foundation to swiftly build three schools with eight classrooms in Serinyol and Masuklu.

Today, the walls of these schools echo with laughter and learning, as 670 children prepare for a future filled with possibilities, healing from their losses, and reclaiming their dreams.

Our journey with the AKUT Foundation in Antakya shows the power of community. Witnessing the transformation of lives and the strengthening of spirits is a profound honor. Together, we’re not just rebuilding schools; we’re rebuilding futures.

Join us in continuing to support the resilient hearts of Antakya.

We’re proud of the progress we have made but we know that the journey ahead is long and that our commitment to these communities must remain unwavering.

We are grateful for your trust, kindness, and continued support. Together, we are not just achieving sustainable recovery but building a resilient future for Southeast Turkiye. This is a lasting LEGACY of positive change that we can all be proud of.

Large swathes of the cities remain in ruins. Survivors, primarily residing in container cities, experience varied living conditions. Some have decent amenities like hot water and clean bathrooms, while others merely have four walls sheltering families who lack the basic necessities we often take for granted—essentials crucial for dignified living. Every interaction underscored the collective loss, whether of a loved one, a home, or a means to provide for their families.

The realization of the recovery path weighed on me, but amidst the despair, I also witnessed abundant kindness and unity.

I met incredibly inspiring individuals who left their city lives to volunteer with local NGOs. Their unwavering dedication not only infused hope into the devastated community but also highlighted the magnitude of work that remains. We need to continue to provide support for their work. While we’ve provided immediate relief, the journey of rebuilding demands sustained attention. Beyond mere shelter, survivors need sustainable job opportunities, psychological support to cope with trauma, and educational resources to reweave the social fabric of their lives. The region is poised to rise from its challenges, and with our continued collective efforts, I am confident we can help rebuild it into the heart of Anatolia.

TPF is deeply committed to long-term support in the earthquake region. Recognizing the profound impact of sustained assistance, we are ready to extend our support for as long as it’s needed. The collective strength of our community will be essential on this path forward. Will you stand alongside TPF and me in championing the continued rebuilding efforts? 

Warm regards,

Metin Negrin

TPF Board Member

EXPLORE TPF’S 6TH MONTH EARTHQUAKE REPORT

DONATE NOW! TPF EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND

We are proud to share our impact report detailing TPF’s immediate response to the wildfires in Turkey in the summer of 2021.

Our community’s collective response to the wildfires last summer was a great example of our global community coming TOGETHER to make a difference. Support for TPF’s Wildfire Relief Fund came from nearly  2,500 donors, raised more than $267K, and addressed the needs of thousands of people and animals. And more importantly, with your funds, NeedsMap is building the first-of-its-kind disaster response map in the world that will enable all parties involved to know the needs in real-time and react faster and concertedly. The disaster map will change how we respond to future wildfires in Turkey. THANK YOU!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Team TPF

Launch the TPF Wildfire Relief Fund Impact Report

Support TPF Wildfire Relief Fund

What is Trauma-Free World for Children Project?

The Trauma-Free World for Children Project provides a healing and protective center for children who have suffered from psychological trauma due to natural disasters, migration, the pandemic, family loss, and bullying.

Maya Vakfı (Foundation) established the Child and Youth Center in the Balat district of İstanbul to help vulnerable children with traumatized experiences. The project aims to support children in coping with traumatic stress and to heal through creative art therapy methods. This healing center also serves as a child protection center for at-risk children and their caregivers to help them access basic services and learn their rights. The main goal of the project is to improve the psychosocial wellbeing and resilience of children by focusing on groups under protection threats and to create a “Trauma-Free World for Children”

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Maya Vakfı as an NGO is a pioneer in the mental health field in Turkey with its unique approach to MHPSS. Maya Vakfı is the first in the world to combine the Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) model, a trauma-sensitive approach, for vulnerable children in combination with innovative art therapy methodologies, including the use of photography, drawing, music, and dance as therapeutic mediums.

HEALING

Sadly, children witness and experience traumatized events including violence, abuse, war, multiple displacements, migration, loss of family, inadequate parenting, extreme poverty, social discrimination, and last but not least the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The most prevalent childhood mental health conditions are depression, prolonged grief disorder, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety disorders. No child should feel this way. To remedy this, we want to improve the psychosocial wellbeing and resilience of children through arts-based MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) interventions.

With the project, we provide access to quality art-based mental health care during individual and group sessions. The content of each session is adapted to the needs of the group following a clinical assessment. As children’s wellbeing is closely linked with their caretakers, we also offer positive parenting sessions for caregivers, with individual counseling available to help them offer better parenting to their own children. In addition to art therapy, we also use ecotherapy in our work at the center. Nature has been proven to heal and a large urban center like Istanbul has little green public space. Giving the children access to the garden at the center is often the only natural environment they have. The use of nature and the environment as a therapeutic intervention medium promotes the mental and physical wellbeing of children through outdoor activities in a green environment.

PROTECTION

Children also face a myriad of other protection issues such as obstacles to accessing basic services i.e., education, food security, and healthcare primarily caused by not having proper status registration documents, or more serious protection threats such as being forced into labor and early marriage. This project offers protection services to vulnerable children and their caregivers to help them access basic services and rights.

Project implementation:

1. We reach children and their families in and around the region where the center is located.
2. After the children are registered at the Centre, we include them in art therapy-based group sessions. During the pandemic, we conduct sessions both at the center and remotely.
3. If our psychologists identify children with special needs, we conduct one-on-one sessions
with them.
4. The number of sessions can be determined according to the needs of the children. Children who complete the sessions can continue to come to the center and spend time there, doing homework and playing games.
5. We refer the applications received through our Remote Psychological Counseling Service to the center. If the beneficiary is not able to come to the center, we start the remote counseling process.
6. Through our ongoing protocol with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE), we also work within the public schools and we refer children who are in need of psychosocial support to Balat Child and Youth Center.

*Due to the pandemic, Maya Vakfı utilizes online platforms and provides remote counseling and online sessions.

Impact of Trauma-Free World for Children Project

All children and youth have the right to happy and healthy lives and deserve access to effective care to prevent or treat any mental health problems that they may develop.

Mental health — an essential part of children’s overall health — has a complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, their communities, and in society. Both physical and mental health affects how we think, feel and act on the inside and outside.

Developing social-emotional skills such as flexibility in thinking, social problem-solving skills, solidarity, and dedication, and self-control brings an advantage to the children for possible challenging life events. Even if the level of anxiety increases, it remains at a more controllable level and makes it easier to cope with challenges and find innovative solutions.

At Balat Child and Youth Center, we help children to develop the social and emotional skills that will enable them to cope with similar challenges in the future at the individual, school, and community levels. Through the sessions we carry out at the center, children learn to cope with negative emotions and difficulties, develop positive attitudes and behaviors, produce effective solutions to the problems they face in everyday life, self-expression, and build healthy relationships.

Main impacts:
1. Reducing symptoms associated with mental and psychosocial distress in children
2. Increasing children’s skills for psychological recovery
3. Increasing the knowledge of families about psychological trauma and enabling them to gain positive parenting skills
4. Ensuring children’s access to basic rights such as education and health

From a child’s perspective:

“Before I came to the center in Balat, I was having nightmares. Because I saw monster faces, I used to be afraid of the dark. I’m not afraid of monsters and have beautiful dreams since I hung my shield and dreamcatcher, which I made in the workshops here, on my wall. I believe they are protecting me.”

Ayşe, 8 years old.

Bring the center to life! Create a Trauma-Free World for Children!

By the end of 2022, we are aiming to reach out to 55 children.

$360 covers one child’s support.

Donations for each child will be used for:

– Implementation: 86%

– Human Resources 8%

– Administrative Costs 6%

SUPPORT MAYA'S TRAUMA-FREE WORLD FOR CHILDREN PROJECT

Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) is proud to announce that Unvansız Gönüllüler Foundation, Support to Life, MAYA Foundation, and World Human Relief has been selected as the third round of grant recipients of TPF’s Turkey 2021 Wildfire Relief Fund.

As of September 14th, 2021, Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) has raised over $220K in its Turkey 2021 Wildfire Relief Fund. The fund was created on July 30, 2021, to help individuals and families impacted by current and future wildfires throughout Turkey. The grants will support vetted nonprofit organizations assisting with relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts for individuals affected by the fires in Turkey.

With the Wildfire Relief Fund, TPF sees its role as being the bridge that helps our partners and our community get the help to obtain the resources they need during this time. Accordingly, TPF has decided to fund the following projects:

• Unvansız Gönüllüler Foundation – With the grant amount of $21,000 the Keep the Bees Alive Project will support local beekeepers to ensure the reproduction of regional honey and maintain the necessary ecosystem in Antalya, Manavgat. The project will provide 30 beehives to 12 beekeepers.
• Support to Life – STL will assist 99 beekeepers in Muğla with new materials for bee harvesting. Due to the fires, the loss of pine needles has affected their normal harvest. The grant amount of $37,715.16 will provide 25 kg of bee bread, harvesting equipment, and transportation and distribution expenses. The amount will also cover five STL project personnel’s daily allowances for the five days they will be on the field making these distributions.
• Maya Foundation – Maya with the help of the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services identified the villages of Çamlıbe and Nebiler located in the Mentese District. With their grant of $10,809.52, Maya Foundation will provide trauma-focused PSS (Psycho-Social Support) and PFA (Psychological First Aid) programs that will reach out to 200-250 children (ages 5-18), 50 women, and the elderly. The grant amount will cover the cost of supplies which include two thermoboxes, refreshments, tents, and PSS kits for 380 people and 250 kids.
• World Human Relief (WHR) – WHR team will analyze the needs for long and short-term psychosocial support through a 4-week long project. They will establish Urgent Trauma Support Desks for trauma-focused psycho-social support will be provided by psychologists and psychiatrists to the affected locals, the local authorities, and civil societies that were involved in rescue and search efforts. Based on people’s needs, the length of the project can be extended. The grant amount of $8,313.60 will cover the travel, food, and accommodation expenses of 18 WHR team members for a week.

The breakdown of areas supported is as follows:

– 34% of the raised amount ($71,358) toward fire-fighting efforts.

– 51% of the raised amount ($107,784.93) toward the recovery of livelihoods.

– 9% of the raised amount ($19,123.12) toward psychosocial support for the affected communities.

Thank you to everyone for taking immediate action to support those affected by wildfires during this time. We are beyond grateful for the trust you have bestowed in TPF.

Our goal is to disburse the remaining funds from the Turkey 2021 Wildfire Relief Fund as quickly as possible following the same criteria and approach.

Team TPF

To learn more on the first-round grant recipients visit here.

To learn more on the second round of grant recipients here.

At Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), we see our role as filling the gaps between emergency relief and long-term development programs that can revive disaster-stricken areas both socially and economically, and give new opportunities to the survivors and regions in general. Our selection criteria in general grants have been implementation capability, efficiency, financial strength, and transparency. Additionally, we analyze each disaster separately and identify other criteria to make sure our grants have the most impact.

We understand that local NGOs are the first on the scene when disasters occur and that they know best what assistance is needed and understand the complex financial, social, and cultural context of a disaster. TPF has been working with vetted organizations on the ground in Turkey providing social services, helping communities cope with disasters, and educating the future generation since 2007. In 2020, we have joined Afet Platformu, an umbrella initiative, established to increase the efficiency and impactfulness of the response to disasters in Turkey, and have been working closely with other member organizations to provide support to the most needed areas. Currently, our focus on the “Three Rs” – Recovery, Rebuilding, and Resilience – is an example of the strategic way we work on issues crucial to our communities after a disaster. Your help ensures a fourth: Results.

Trusted and Reliable
TPF is the most reliable and trustworthy foundation serving the Turkish-American community in philanthropy. We are committed to transparency and low overhead. Transparency is our top value with our disaster relief funds. We regularly share social media, e-mail, and website updates with detailed information regarding the provided grants from our disaster relief funds.

When disasters strike, TPF quickly organizes a relief fund, raises funds, and delivers these to its partners on the ground that are best suited to provide relief and long-term recovery. Our disaster relief funds have been recommended by many international organizations as well as local Turkish-American organizations.

TPF’s Track Record in Disaster Relief
TPF has been responding to disasters and supporting emergency aid and long-term relief programs since 2011. We have facilitated approximately $2M in disaster donations towards relief funds.

How we’ve responded to disasters:

• Van Earthquake Relief Fund in 2011
• Soma Relief Fund 2011
• Elazig Earthquake Relief Fund in 2020
• Covid-19 Relief Fund 2020
• Izmir Earthquake Relief Fund 2020
• Turkey 2021 Wildfire Relief Fund

You may also contribute to by sending a check to:

WeWork

c/o Turkish Philanthropy Funds

4th Floor

Re: Karadeniz Flood Relief

1460 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Please make your checks payable to Turkish Philanthropy Funds and indicate “Karadeniz Flood Relief” on the check.

You can also wire checks to TPF to support the campaign. For wire instructions please email Pinar Ozyurek (pinar@tpfund.org)

TPF Disaster Relief Fund

Below is a list of the nonprofits to receive grants from TPF for COVID-19. The list below reflects in grants to 17 organizations.

The grants were made to non-profit organizations based in the United States and in Turkey.

The funding allows nonprofits to provide support to vulnerable communities as well as purchase protective supplies, among other needs. More grants will be made in the coming weeks. Learn more about the  and other ways to help.

• PAYDA (Sharing and Solidarity Organization): The funding allowed the organization to purchase and distribute 800 N95 Masks, 500 face shields, and 500 waterproof Exposure Suits to doctors and medical staff to hospitals in Istanbul.The organization was also provided funding to purchase an Intercept illuminator machine to be used to inactivate residual virus and other infectious pathogens that may be present in donor blood before blood to transfusions Covid-19 patients. The machine was donated to Inonu University in Malatya.
• TOCEV (Tuvana Foundation for the Education of Motivated Children): The grant provided a cash payment of 750TL for grocery expenses to 100 students’ parents who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19.
• MAGIT(Mathematical Power and Innovative Design Association): In-kind support provided 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students at Izmir Girls High School access to Microsoft Teams to continue their education online in math, biology, literature, physics, chemistry, and other courses without disruption.
• COLYAK(Celiac Organic Nutrition Association): This funding provides three months worth of gluten-free items to disadvantaged families of 45 children with celiac disease.
• TEV (Turkish Educational Foundation): The grant will provide monthly stipends as well as internet access to 300 high school and undergraduate students who are identified based on TEV’s needs survey. The organization was also provided funding for the project that will provide 1 year-long scholarships for 5 high school and 5 college students whose healthcare worker parents passed away due to the COVID
• All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response: The funding provided supports the organization’s Emergency PPE Drive for New York.
• TACAWA (Turkish-American Cultural Association of Washington): The grant made to TACAWA’s Social Support Network responds to the needs of the Turkish-American community in the Seattle area impacted by Covid
• TOHUM (TOHUM Autism Foundation): The grant will provide internet access and tablets to 78 students with autism.
• United for Turkey: The funding will provide support to Turkish-Americans impacted by Covid-19, including students with F-1 visas who are stranded in the U.S., Covid-19 patients, and families affected by the loss of a parent, or family member due to the virus.
• Koruncuk (Turkish Foundation for Children in Need of Protection): The funding provided “packages of goodness” that contain food and hygiene products to children and their families with disadvantaged backgrounds.
• LOSEV (Foundation for Children with Leukemia): The grant will provide packages of food, hygiene kits, and meat vouchers to households of 100 children with leukemia.
• Ihtiyac Haritasi (NeedsMap): The grant will support software development to create an online system to match students who need a computer to continue their education with donors. The project will be implemented in collaboration with Toplum Gonulluleri Vakfi (TOG) and Association for Supporting Contemporary Life (CYDD).
• NEF Foundation: The funding will support raw materials, production, assembly, and delivery expenses for 550 face shields, 500 items of antibacterial workwear, 26 intubation booths, 17 disinfection stations, and 500 ventilator filters.
• Small Projects Istanbul: The grant will help 100 refugee families to purchase food and hygiene supplies for two months.
• Neighbors Link: The fund  will be used to provide hot meal vouchers to low-income immigrant families, who are unable to cook in their homes in Mount Kisco, Ossining, and surrounding towns in Westchester County.
• Okul Destek: The grant will cover the salaries of teachers who will be working at the summer school project, which aims to help students to catch up with math and science classes and encourage them to overcome the distress that emerged due to the
• KAHEV(Turkish Female Physicians’ Education Support Foundation): The grant will provide scholarships for 1 elementary student for 3 years and 1 high school student for 2 years whose healthcare worker parents passed away during the pandemic.

We are pleased to announce a call for project proposals for Elazig Earthquake Relief Fund!  

During Turkish Philanthropy Funds’ (TPF) Elazig Earthquake Relief Fund campaign, our community has once again shown its incredible response. More than 250 donors trusted TPF and took immediate action to support those affected by the devastating earthquake in Elazig.

This is to invite you to apply for a grant from Turkish Philanthropy Funds’ Elazig Earthquake Relief Fund. We will be receiving grant applications on a rolling basis with no deadline for now. We will continue making grants as long as we receive contributions. However, please note that the first round of grants is planned to be announced on Monday, February 10th. We are planning to disburse all the funds raised as of that date. As of Feb 5, 2020, TPF has raised over $28,000 in its Elazig Earthquake Fund. We see our role as filling gaps between emergency relief and long-term development programs that can revive Elazig both socially and economically, and give new opportunities to the survivors and the Elazig community, in general. We have prioritized the following areas to provide support:

1. 1. Relief Aid Support: We know that there are many organizations who have responded immediately and have been providing much-needed support on the ground in the city and surrounding villages. TPF is interested in supporting these organizations that have been providing relief aid non-stop.
   2. Reestablishment and Recovery: As many districts and villages have been severely affected, the economic destruction in various degrees arose as a result of the earthquake. TPF is interested in supporting organizations that can provide new avenues for revenue generation and increase opportunities for economic revival in Elazig and surrounding villages.  
   3. Psycho-Social Support: After the earthquake, people’s lives changed in significant ways in Elazig and surrounding areas. Therefore, TPF will provide funding to organizations that support activities to overcome their trauma and post-traumatic stress and reduce the psychosocial impacts of the disaster. 
   4. Education: TPF also would like to prioritize financial support to children who have lost one or two parents at the earthquake, and will fund organizations that will work to provide new skills to women who have to become breadwinners for their families.

Please kindly fill out TPF Grant Application Form for Elazig Earthquake Fund. After you submit your proposal you will receive an email from TPF confirming the receipt of your application. Please do not follow up on your application. We will let you know when all the funds raised are disbursed.

Please note that the grants will be given between the amounts of $5,000- $10,000. We’re especially interested in supporting projects that have other supporters.

If you are not a TPF partner and would like to discuss your proposal before sending it, please send an email to Irem Kilic (irem@tpfund.org) to arrange a Skype call.

TPF Team