Sabancı Group harnesses the power of its industrial and business activities to support a wide range of social and cultural efforts through Sabancı Foundation.

Embracing the late Hacı Ömer Sabancı’s life philosophy of “Sharing what we have obtained from this land with its people,” the Sabancı family established Hacı Ömer Sabancı Foundation (known as Sabancı Foundation) in 1974 to consolidate all their philanthropic activities under one organization. Sadıka Sabancı, wife of Hacı Ömer Sabancı, donated her entire wealth to the Foundation’s endowment. Sabancı Foundation’s financial resources consist of donations provided by the Sabancı Family and Sabancı Group, and revenues generated from the Foundation’s assets.

Sabancı Group harnesses the power of its industrial and business activities to support a wide range of social and cultural efforts through Sabancı Foundation. Today, it is one of the leading family foundations in Türkiye.

During its 49-year history, Sabancı Foundation has built more than 120 institutions - schools, dormitories, teachers’ centers, medical facilities, sports complexes, cultural centers and social facilities - in 78 districts across Türkiye. Since 2007, the Foundation has supported 238 projects carried out by civil society organizations nationwide. In culture and the arts, the Foundation has provided long term support to major activities and events.

Having provided more than 54 thousand scholarships over the last 49 years, Sabancı Foundation encourages and recognizes success with awards in education, the arts and sports.

Social Change

Sabancı Foundation supports projects carried out by leading civil society organizations with grants to seek lasting solutions to today’s complex social issues. The Foundation engages in longterm, institutional partnerships to expand the scope and extent of its impact.

Introduced in 2007, Sabancı Foundation Grants Program supports civil society organizations in promoting social development to achieve equality and active participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in society. During its 17-year history, the Grants Program has extended support to 238 projects and initiatives, directly impacting nearly 300 thousand persons and indirectly reaching over 4.6 million people nationwide.

Launched in 2022, “Young Women Building Their Future” project targets women in the NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) category. The initiative is implemented by Sabancı Foundation and UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. A comprehensive training program – including vocational and personal development trainings for NEET women - commenced in three pilot cities: Adana, Diyarbakır, and İzmir. Some 770 NEET women were reached by trainings; 80 of them were employed. A digital portal was launched with an Opportunities Map, facilitating access to job, training, internship, and entrepreneurship opportunities for young women. Major organizations, including Sabancı Group companies, actively participate on this platform. The project expanded in 2023 by incorporating mentorship and grants programs. Mentors from diverse sectors provided invaluable career guidance to 513 NEET women this year. The grants program supported seven projects focused on enhancing NEET women’s employability.

Türkiye’s Changemakers Program, successfully completing its 14th year in 2023, highlights stories and efforts of individuals who significantly contribute to social development and inspire society in the country. Since its inception in 2009, the program has received nearly 14 thousand applications; stories of 210 Changemakers were selected and recorded. These inspiring videos are widely disseminated on the program’s website as well as social media platforms.

Since 2021, Sabancı Foundation has published a series of children’s books about animal rights and environmental issues centered around a rabbit named Papuduk. These books are distributed to civil society organizations working with children and state schools in disadvantaged areas. As of end-2023, over 150 thousand books were distributed free-ofcharge; audiobook versions are also available. Workshops for children are conducted in diverse locations throughout the year to support the themes of the book series.

Sabancı Foundation is addressing the climate emergency by reviewing all its programs through a climate lens and creating a road map with the approach of “All foundations are climate foundations no matter what their area of work.” The Foundation is the first organization from Türkiye to sign the International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change.

The Foundation remains actively engaged in advancing disability rights and gender networks within Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea). Nevgül Bilsel Safkan, General Manager of Sabancı Foundation, was appointed to the Philea Advisory Board in 2023, further enhancing the Foundation’s commitment and contribution to these significant initiatives.

Institutions

To date, Sabancı Foundation has built more than 120 institutions in 78 districts across Türkiye, including schools, student dormitories, healthcare facilities, cultural centers, sports facilities, libraries, teachers’ centers, and social facilities as well as Sabancı University – one of the most significant investments undertaken by Sabancı Foundation.

In 2023, construction of two vocational and technical high schools in İstanbul and Hatay was completed. Reconstruction of Sakıp Sabancı Secondary School in Adana and construction of an additional building for Sabancı Vocational and Technical High School in Kocaeli was also completed this year.

Culture and Arts

Through the years, Sabancı Foundation has extended longterm support to culture and the arts. The Foundation has supported The State Theaters – Sabancı International Adana Theater Festival for the last 24 years and Türkiye Youth Philharmonic Orchestra for the last 15 years. In 2023, a special book on Metropolis Ancient City excavations was published on the 20th anniversary of the Foundation’s support to the excavation efforts.

Sabancı Foundation Short Film Competition was launched in 2016 with the motto “Short Film, Long Impact.” This popular competition raises awareness of social issues through art, while highlighting the creative perspective of cinema and encouraging young talent. In 2023, the theme of the 8. Sabancı Foundation Short Film Competition was “Water Crisis.” Recognizing the work done through Sabancı Foundation Short Film Competition, European Film Academy presented Güler Sabancı, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Sabancı Foundation, with its European Sustainability Award - Prix Film4Climate 2023.

Scholarships and Awards

During its 49-year history, the Foundation has provided more than 54 thousand scholarships to students demonstrating academic excellence through its scholarship program. Currently, Sabancı Foundation scholarships support around 1,500 students each year, 350 of whom are first time recipients.

Sabancı Foundation has award programs in education, sports, arts, and culture. Under these programs, over 1,200 awards have been presented to date.