Surprisingly, more than half of Americans don’t have a will, arguably the most important document in an estate plan.

The consequences are serious. Without a will, a probate court decides how to distribute your assets. Judges do their best to follow state laws, but your actual wishes remain a mystery. Without one, state law—not you—determines how your assets are distributed. While those laws provide a default plan, they cannot reflect your unique wishes, your family circumstances, or the causes that have shaped your life. For those who care deeply about giving back, it may also mean that the organizations and communities they have spent a lifetime supporting are unintentionally left out of their legacy.

At Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we believe your legacy should reflect your values and vision for the future. That’s why, during Make-A-Will Month, we encourage you to take the first step in shaping a future that reflects your wishes and strengthens the causes you hold close.

At TPF, we hear it in almost every donor conversation.  

“It’s on my list,” people say.

 “I really need to get to it.”

Life gets busy, and a task with no deadline has a way of staying on the list year after year. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This may be the year you finally check that box. And we’re here to make that process easier, whatever “it” looks like for you.

For many donors, a will is just the beginning. Estate planning can include beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of appreciated securities, or establishing a charitable fund. Whatever form it takes, the goal is the same: ensuring that your wishes are carried out and your generosity continues to make an impact for generations to come.

One donor who approached her legacy with that kind of intentionality was Neriman Nuraltay.

Neriman arrived in Türkiye from Romania in the 1950s with very little. Together with her husband, İlhan, she built a life through perseverance, eventually immigrating to the United States while maintaining a lifelong connection to Türkiye. When planning her estate, she chose to support five organizations working in education, healthcare, and social services—causes that reflected both her personal journey and the values she carried throughout her life.

Her story reminds us that estate planning isn’t simply about transferring assets. It’s about preserving the values that define us.

Yet despite its importance, many people delay estate planning because of common misconceptions.

Common Myths About Estate Planning

Myth #1: I’m too young. You can create a will at 18. As soon as you have property, children, or valuable belongings, a will protects your wishes and your loved ones.

Myth #2: I don’t have an estate. An estate isn’t defined by size—it’s anything you own, from a savings account to a family home. If you have assets, you have an estate, and a plan for it.

Myth #3: It’s too complicated. A basic will can often be created in an afternoon with free or low-cost tools. For more complex plans, TPF’s Director of Philanthropy can walk you through your options—at no cost.

Myth #4: All I need is a will. Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by beneficiary designation, not your will. Donors making a larger impact often pair a bequest with a gift annuity or trust.

Myth #5: My family knows my charitable wishes. Good intentions aren’t a legal plan. Without documentation, decisions default to your heirs—who may have different priorities.

Taking the First Step

This August, we invite you to take this important step. Whether your estate is large or small, and whether your plans are simple or complex, your legacy can be a force for lasting change.

If estate planning has been on your list for a while now, consider this your nudge. You don’t have to figure it all out today—just take one step. Whether your goal is to provide for your family, support your community, or leave a lasting philanthropic legacy, taking one small step today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.

At TPF, we believe every legacy is unique, and we work alongside donors and their professional advisors to explore charitable giving options that align with their values. Whether you’re considering a bequest in your will, naming TPF as a beneficiary, establishing a charitable fund, or simply beginning the conversation, we’re here to help. That’s why we offer personalized guidance—including the opportunity to meet in person with our Director of Philanthropy, Pinar Ozyurek at pinar@tpfund.org  to talk through your options.

We also invite you to join the TPF Legacy Society, honoring donors who have included TPF in their will, trust, or other planned gift. Members join a community of like-minded donors committed to ensuring their values live on for generations to come.

This Make-A-Will Month, if estate planning has been sitting on your to-do list, consider this your invitation to take the first step. Because your legacy isn’t simply what you leave behind, it’s what you choose to carry forward.

As the years passed, however, he began to think differently about the house. Beyond being a treasured retreat, could it also become part of his enduring legacy? Dr. Sarıoğlu had long believed that education was the most powerful investment one could make in shaping future generations. He also wanted to leave behind something that reflected his own life’s values of service, knowledge, and opportunity. The Rockport home, he realized, could be more than a memory. It could become a gift.

Discovering a New Way to Give

Through his work with Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), Dr. Sarıoğlu learned about the option of a bargain sale—a creative planned giving strategy that allows real estate to be transformed into both immediate financial support and long-term philanthropy. In a bargain sale, property is sold to a charitable organization for less than its fair market value. The donor receives cash from the sale, while the “bargain” portion—the difference between market price and sale price—is considered a charitable contribution and may qualify for a tax deduction.

This approach appealed to Dr. Sarıoğlu for several reasons. It allowed him to receive funds from the Rockport property, ensuring security for his retirement, while also dedicating a significant portion of the home’s value to the causes he most cared about. Most importantly, it meant that the home which had given his family decades of happiness would now create opportunities for others.

From Rockport to Istanbul: A Legacy at Sabancı University

Working with TPF, Dr. Sarıoğlu finalized the bargain sale of his Rockport home. The proceeds were carefully directed according to his wishes and provided scholarships at Sabancı University, one of Türkiye’s leading institutions of higher learning.

His funding supported promising students who might otherwise struggle to afford a university education. For them, Dr. Sarıoğlu’s generosity is beyond funding. It is a concrete door opened to learning, leadership, and new futures. The same house that once welcomed family and friends in Massachusetts has symbolically welcomed young scholars in Istanbul, offering them the chance to pursue their dreams.

The Power of Planned Giving Through Real Estate

Dr. Sarıoğlu’s story shows how real estate can become one of the most impactful tools in philanthropy. For many individuals, property represents both personal history and financial value. Through strategies like bargain sales, those assets can be thoughtfully reimagined: securing personal financial needs while creating lasting impact for communities and causes. If you’ve ever thought about how to make your impact last, donating real estate might be one of the most meaningful ways to do it.

Dr. Sarıoğlu’s legacy lives on in three powerful ways:

• Education: His scholarship at Sabancı University ensures that future leaders have access to opportunity, regardless of financial barriers.
• Inspiration: His story shows how even a beloved vacation home can be transformed into a source of lasting good.
• Enduring Values: His commitment to medicine, service, and education continues to shape lives well beyond his own lifetime.

As Dr. Sarıoğlu once reflected, “My Rockport home gave my family decades of joy. Through TPF, it now gives countless others a chance at a brighter future.”

What is a Bargain Sale?

A bargain sale is a planned giving strategy that lets you sell real estate to a nonprofit for less than its fair market value. You receive part of the value in cash, and the remaining portion is treated as a charitable gift, which may qualify for a tax deduction.  It’s a flexible way to turn property such as a home, vacation house, or land into a legacy gift.

Why This May Work for You:

• Keep Financial Flexibility: Receive cash from the sale while still making a significant gift.
• Tax Advantages: Potentially reduce capital gains and enjoy charitable tax deductions.
• Simplify Life: Transfer property you no longer wish to manage (like a vacation home, rental, or land).
• Create Legacy: Transform a personal asset into scholarships, community programs, or other initiatives that carry your name forward.
• Support What Matters Most: Direct your gift to education, healthcare, disaster relief, or the causes closest to your heart. 

About Dr. Rıza Sarıoğlu

Dr. Ali Rıza Sarıoğlu (1921–2018) was a physician whose life reflected a deep commitment to medicine, education, and service.

He was born in Rize-Pazar, Türkiye, in 1921 and spent his early years in Trabzon, where he completed his primary and secondary schooling. In 1939, he entered the Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, graduating in 1945 as part of a generation of physicians who would help shape modern Turkish healthcare.

Following his military service, Dr. Sarıoğlu began his professional career at Şişli Etfal Hospital in Istanbul, where he trained in pediatrics. His ambition and dedication soon took him abroad: in 1951, he traveled to the United States for advanced medical training. These years broadened his perspective, deepened his expertise, and instilled in him a lasting appreciation for international exchange in medicine and education.

When he returned to Türkiye, he specialized in allergy medicine and established his own practice in Istanbul. For decades, he cared for patients with both skill and compassion, earning the trust of countless families. He continued his medical practice until his retirement in 1987, leaving behind a reputation as both a dedicated physician and a respected member of his community.

Even after his retirement, Dr. Sarıoğlu remained devoted to advancing knowledge and opportunity. This lifelong passion ultimately shaped his philanthropy. Before his passing on November 29, 2018, he ensured that his legacy would endure through education. Working with Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), he transformed his vacation home in Rockport, Massachusetts into a lasting gift. Through a bargain sale, the proceeds from the property provided scholarships at Sabancı University, empowering future generations of students in Türkiye to pursue their dreams.

Dr. Sarıoğlu’s life and his gift continue to echo the values he lived by: service, knowledge, and the belief that education can transform lives.

The consequences are serious. Without a will, a probate court decides how to distribute your assets. Judges do their best to follow state laws, but your actual wishes remain a mystery. This can mean your hard-earned assets go to the state or distant relatives, leaving loved ones with expensive complications and uncertainty. And, for those passionate about giving, it may also mean that the causes you cherish, such as education, disaster recovery, or gender equality, are left out altogether.

At Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we believe your legacy should reflect your values and vision for the future. That’s why, during Make-A-Will Month, we encourage you to take the first step in shaping a future that reflects your wishes and strengthens the causes you hold close.

Common Myths About Estate Planning

Myth #1: I’m too young.
You can create a will at 18. As soon as you have property, children, or valuable belongings, a will ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.
An estate isn’t just mansions and stables. It includes everything from your bank accounts and insurance to family heirlooms. Without a plan, decisions about who receives them are out of your hands.
With today’s resources, estate planning is more accessible than ever. Attorneys, advisors, and even affordable online tools like FreeWill.com can help you create a plan with ease, even remotely.
Other important documents, like a Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy, ensure your loved ones can make decisions on your behalf when it matters most.
Your heirs may have different priorities. By naming TPF or one of our vetted partners in your will, you guarantee your philanthropic vision continues, supporting the causes you believe in long after you’re gone.
Estate planning is not only about distributing assets. It’s about protecting loved ones, reducing their burden, and ensuring your life’s values are carried forward. By including TPF or TPF partners through TPF in your estate plan, you create a legacy of generosity that invests in the future and empowers generations to come.

Myth #2: I don’t have an estate.

Myth #3: It’s too complicated.

Myth #4: All I need is a will.

Myth #5: My family knows my charitable wishes.

Why This Matters

This August, I invite you to take this important step. Whether your estate is large or small, your legacy can be a force for lasting change.

At TPF, we believe every legacy is unique. That’s why we offer personalized guidance. Visit our Planned Giving site to learn more about leaving a legacy, or reach out directly to our Director of Philanthropy, Pinar Ozyurek, to schedule a conversation. We are here to guide you every step of the way.