Sabanci Foundation Selected To European Foundation Centre (EFC) Board For The Second Time

Striving to add value to people’s lives since its inception, Sabancı Foundation continues to reinforce its presence in the international arena in its 40th anniversary. Sabancı Foundation, which had served on the European Foundation Centre (EFC) Board in 2011 for the first time, is selected for membership for the second time. Hosting world-renowned foundations such as Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, and Robert Bosch Foundation, EFC is the meeting point for third sector with 236 members from 40 countries. Director of Programs and International Relations, Rana Kotan is designated as the EFC representative of Sabancı Foundation.

Selected from among 24 applicants for EFC membership, Sabancı Foundation will serve for a period of three years. In addition to Sabancı Foundation; Erste Stiftung Foundation, (Austria), Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Torino Foundation, (Italy), Fondazione di Venezia Foundation, (Italy), Ford Foundation (USA), Open Society Foundation (USA) and Mama Cash Foundation (the Netherlands) were other members selected to the EFC Board.

Asserting that EFC creates supportive legal and financial environments for foundations operating in Europe, strengthens the third sector, and fosters collaboration and partnerships, General Manager of Sabancı Foundation Zerrin Koyunsağan said that the re-election of Sabancı Foundation would provide major contribution to the social development of third sector in Turkey.

We strive to make a difference with the philanthropy approach we have developed

Zerrin Koyunsağan said, “At Sabancı Foundation, we are trying to make a difference with the philanthropy approach that we developed as a more efficient, strategic, and participatory model. Hence we positioned ourselves as a pioneering and model foundation that implements international standards in philanthropic work. With our initiatives in the field and partnerships built in Turkey and abroad, we are a leading foundation in the globally thriving philanthropy sector. We are pleased to be representing Turkey on the EFC Board to which we are re-elected for a period of three years”.

Director of Programs and International Relations at Sabancı Foundation, Rana Kotan made the following remarks about her new assignment: “Membership to the EFC Board is quite critical in terms of developing partnerships with global foundations. Assuming this mission along with leading NGO’s of the world, we will continue to add momentum to the third sector by enabling the sharing of innovative and best practices, and work towards the dream of a more just and equitable society in Turkey and in the world, with the experience we build.”

Sabancı Foundation is at the same time one of the founding members of the European Consortium of Foundations On Human Rights And Disability established in 2009 and run by the EFC. The Foundation has also been serving as the co-chair of the Consortium as per 2014.

About EFC

Founded in Brussels in 1989, EFC is a meeting point for 236 members from 40 countries operating across the globe and mainly in Europe. The total assets of EFC members amount to 140 billion Euros, and the Centre spends 8 billion Euros per annum for public benefit. The EFC operates in the following main areas:

Advocacy and Monitoring: Preventing potential threats to EU provisions, monitoring activities of independent funders;

Professional Development: Promoting investment in human resources, organizing trainings and exchanges emphasizing effectiveness, ensuring that the principles of good practice are upheld;  Resource Centre: Developing relations with media and implementing strategic communication, enabling sharing of experiences and stories of European foundations, strengthening brand prestige of the Centre thanks to thematic networks;

Thematic Networks: Bringing together foundations operating in the same field, setting up the European Foundation Council, and enabling operational infrastructure for foundations.