[New York, August 21, 2025] – Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) is proud to announce a co-funding partnership with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) to support the long-term recovery of communities impacted by the devastating twin earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye on February 6, 2023.

More than two years later, the emotional, psychological, and social challenges facing survivors continue to demand sustained attention and support. Since the disaster, TPF has granted $16 million to 93 organizations, made possible by the extraordinary generosity of its community through the TPF Earthquake Fund.

We are now honored to join forces with CDP to deepen this impact. This co-funding collaboration unites two mission-driven organizations with a shared commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities in the face of disaster. Together, we will support three critical projects that address key needs in the region:

• Youth empowerment through Buradayız Hatay’s Youth and Community Hub

• Women’s well-being and economic development through Mavi Kalem’s Women Reproduce Program

• Education and teacher support through Teachers Network’s Teacher Support Hub

Through this meaningful partnership, we aim to foster resilience, empowerment, and long-term recovery—ensuring that affected communities not only rebuild but thrive.

“Recovery is not linear—it is a journey that requires persistence, compassion, and innovation. We’re excited to collaborate with CDP in this journey and look forward to our shared impact,” said Senay Ataselim Yilmaz, PhD, Executive Director of TPF.

“Since the 2023 earthquake, CDP has awarded 25 grants totaling more than $7.3 million from our Turkey & Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund to organizations supporting community-driven recovery,” said Patricia McIlreavy, CDP’s president and CEO. “By partnering with Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we can further resource and amplify the efforts of those closest to the most underserved and at-risk survivors, helping them recover stronger and thrive.”

Together, TPF and CDP are committed to fostering resilience, empowerment, and lasting recovery—ensuring that earthquake-impacted communities not only rebuild but thrive.

The Challenge
Language barriers: Research by Esas Social shows that one in four Turkish university students report inadequate English proficiency.
Skill gaps: 55% of university students seek additional courses outside of school to strengthen employability.

Network limitations: Students from lesser-known universities lack exposure to industry professionals and global career pathways, which hinders competitiveness in the job market.

The Response: Supporting Youth Through Skill-Building

Youth employment in Türkiye is not only an economic challenge—it is also a matter of equity and inclusion. Proficiency in English, professional soft skills, and access to diverse networks are vital drivers of upward mobility, yet for many first-generation university students, these opportunities remain out of reach.

Esas Social launched the English Chance Program in 2020 to address these challenges by offering English training, structured soft-skills workshops by a prestigious institution, Berlitz,—including time management, CV preparation, diversity and inclusion, and interview simulations—and comprehensive career development resources.

Innovative Partnership for Greater Impact: Esas Social, TPF and Goldman Sachs

The collaboration between Esas Sosyal, TPF, and Goldman Sachs shows how cross-sector partnerships can multiply social impact. Esas Sosyal brings local expertise and a data-driven approach to youth development; TPF contributes its philanthropic network and facilitated the connection with Goldman Sachs through the Community TeamWorks Program; and Goldman Sachs provides global corporate expertise and volunteer mentorship.

The Speed Mentoring Event, which connected Turkish students with Goldman Sachs professionals worldwide for real-time, high-impact career guidance merged language training, professional skill-building, and international mentorship into a single experience. The initiative strengthened employability, built confidence, and expanded students’ career horizons.

This partnership demonstrates that when underserved youth, particularly women and first-generation graduates, are equipped with targeted training, mentorship, and access to global networks, they are more likely to overcome systemic barriers. Empowering young people with these tools fosters inclusive economic opportunity and drives long-term social mobility in Türkiye.

Esas Social
Esas Social is a pioneering social investment platform established in 2015 by Esas Holding, one of Türkiye’s leading investment firms. Focused on addressing systemic inequality, Esas Social develops long-term programs that create equal opportunities for young people from underprivileged backgrounds—especially first-generation university graduates from public universities.

Its flagship initiatives, such as the First Chance Program and the English Chance Program, provide comprehensive support through training, mentoring, employment readiness, and language development. Esas Social stands out for its data-driven approach and commitment to measurable impact, social justice, and intergenerational equity.

With strong ties to civil society and the private sector, Esas Sosyal acts as a bridge between youth and opportunity. Their partnership with TPF has enabled their work to reach a wider, global audience and connect with the Turkish diaspora in meaningful ways.

Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs is a global financial powerhouse that also leads in corporate citizenship through volunteerism and philanthropy. With a focus on economic empowerment, education, and inclusive growth, Goldman Sachs encourages its employees to engage in meaningful service—mentoring young people, sharing expertise, and supporting social causes around the world through the Goldman Sachs Community Teamworks Program.

As part of this commitment, Goldman Sachs partnered with Esas Social and TPF to participate in the Speed Mentoring event for the English Chance Program volunteers from various Goldman Sachs offices around the world including the US, UK, Switzerland, offered real-time career advice, mentorship, and inspiration to Turkish youth navigating academic and professional transitions.

This partnership reflects Goldman Sachs’ belief in the power of knowledge-sharing and inclusive mentorship. By connecting with young people in Türkiye, they help expand career aspirations, build confidence, and open doors to global perspectives.

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GlobalGiving and TPF share a long-standing partnership rooted in trust and impact. It began in 2011 when GlobalGiving provided a direct grant to TPF’s Van Earthquake Fund. Since then, GlobalGiving has consistently supported TPF’s mission For almost 15 years, GlobalGiving has supported TPF’s mission by featuring its programs on its global platform and helping channelling thousands of individual donations toward grassroots-led impact in Türkiye.

In August 2024, this long-standing partnership deepened once again further when GlobalGiving generously contributed a $200,000 direct grant to TPF’s Earthquake Relief Fund—launching a powerful collaboration to strengthen local NGOs and amplify TPF’s strategic disaster response.

This grant partnership has supported four critical, community-based projects that address key recovery needs in the region: 

• Expanding Access to Healthcare for Women and Children in Southeastern Türkiye Through Digital Health Solutions with – MEDAK 
• Equal Access and Youth Participation in Arts and Culture: A Community-Based Model for Post-Disaster Recovery with – Talebeyiz Biz Association 
• One Big Step for Basketball: Empowering Youth Through Sports in Earthquake-Affected Regions with– BIDEV 
• Disaster Scholarships: Ensuring Education and Hope After the Earthquake with– TED

Together, TPF and GlobalGiving are not only delivering critical support but also investing in the long-term resilience of communities—ensuring a recovery that is holistic, inclusive, and led by those who know their communities best.

Challenges and Response

While disasters strike in an instant, recovery is a long and evolving journey. One key challenge is sustaining support over time while staying responsive to changing needs. TPF addresses this through a flexible, three-phase strategy—immediate relief, long-term recovery, and sustainable resilience—grounded in local partnerships and on-the-ground insight.

A critical element of this approach is building institutional partnerships that extend impact and ensure long-term support. GlobalGiving’s grant, received 18 months after the disaster, reinforced this model—boosting TPF’s ability to support community-led recovery with lasting impact.

Importance of Investing in Local NGOs for Long-Term Impact 

Beyond providing direct relief, TPF recognized the critical role local NGOs play in recovery and rebuilding efforts. By investing in the capacity of these organizations, TPF ensures that the foundations of disaster response are strengthened for both today and the future. Through funding and resources, TPF helps NGOs build their infrastructure, enhance their operational capacity, and deliver more effective programs on the ground. This investment enables local organizations to expand their reach, develop resilience, and become better equipped to address ongoing and future needs. It’s a dual impact: empowering NGOs to serve communities more effectively while fostering the self-reliance of the communities they serve.

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