Raymond Georis Prize For Innovative Philanthropy

Chairman of the Sabanci Foundation, Ms. Guler Sabanci was awarded “The 2009 Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy” by the jury chaired by Mr. Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. Sabancı Foundation became the first Turkish Foundation to receive this award. Sabanci Foundation hosted an event at the Sakip Sabanci Museum to celebrate the prize and share this important occasion with other Turkish business and philanthropic leaders on June 5, 2009.

In her speech Ms. Sabanci said: "I am grateful to my family not only for growing up in this beautiful garden but more than that, something much more important than that. I was brought up to accept as my duty to reach, to help, to touch those who are less fortunate than us and try to make a difference in their lives so they can achieve higher standards of living, so their lives can be better. At Sabanci, everything we do- at the Sabanci Foundation- is based on a strong commitment and dedication to the principle fact that the people of our country deserve the best of everything. In the last two years we have been developing a new strategy in order to set global standards for philanthropy in Turkey. This award symbolizes the acceptance of our new strategy and brings more responsibilities." For the detailed speech of Guler Sabanci, please click here…

Prize’s namesake and a member of the Selection Committee Mr. Raymond Georis said:“Ms. Sabancı has personally taken a front-seat in all her development work, insisting on effective strategies that result in marked and sustainable change”.The Selection Committee was chaired by Mr. Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and President of the Madariaga European Foundation and comprised Mr. Gerry Salole, Chief Executive of the European Foundation Centre, and Ms. Norine MacDonald QC, President of the Mercator Fund.

Ms. Norine MacDonald said:“Leading the first grantmaking foundation with a focus on social justice in Turkey, Ms. Sabancı is playing a leading and fundamental role in setting a European standard for philanthropy in Turkey,”and continued,“Throughout her career, she has contributed extensively to philanthropic work in the areas of education, the accessibility of culture and the arts and the empowerment and engagement of women in the Turkish economy.”