We Have Made a Donation to Support Animals in Need

As the Salih Tatlıcı Foundation, we have made a donation to FOUR PAWS, an organization dedicated to supporting animals in need worldwide. FOUR PAWS works tirelessly on an international scale to ensure the well-being and safety of animals. In recognition of our contribution, the organization has presented our Foundation with a certificate of appreciation.

Make a Difference for Animals in Need

Regarding the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board Member of our Foundation stated: “Animals should no longer be harmed or exploited for human interests; they should be allowed to live their lives in peace. It is essential to support efforts aimed at protecting animals worldwide. As a Foundation, we have contributed to FOUR PAWS, an international organization dedicated to helping animals in need.”

About “FOUR PAWS”

FOUR PAWS is a global animal welfare organization that rescues and protects suffering and needy animals directly affected by human influence.

Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and colleagues, the organization advocates for a world where animals are treated with respect, empathy, and understanding. FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on animals in inappropriate conditions, including street dogs and cats, farm animals, bears, big cats, orangutans, elephants, and wildlife kept in captivity in disaster and conflict zones. The organization is actively committed to providing better conditions for companion and farm animals, as well as humane treatment for street dogs and cats. Worldwide, FOUR PAWS establishes and operates sanctuaries where wild animals, rescued from malicious captivity, find a home suited to their species. FOUR PAWS adopts a problem-solving approach and provides rapid and direct assistance to endangered animals. Its goals are to bring about and establish changes through projects, campaigns, and education that benefit animals in politics, society, and the economy. Their work is based on scientific expertise, solid research, and intensive national and international lobbying efforts.
The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

Our Foundation Has Donated Saplings To The TEMA Foundation

As the Salih Tatlici foundation, we have donated saplings to the memorial forests of TEMA (the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, Reforestation, and the Protection of Natural Habitats) in various regions of our country to support our forested areas, which are essential for the future. In recognition of this donation, the TEMA Foundation has awarded a certificate to the Salih Tatlıcı Foundation.

We Will Continue to Donate Saplings to Expand Our Forested Areas

Regarding the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board member of our Foundation, stated: “Soil is our shared home; it is the direct or indirect source of 95% of our food and the foundation of resilience for our habitats. As the second-largest carbon sink after the oceans, soil plays a crucial role in combating the climate crisis. If we have soil, we have forests, agriculture, pastures, and livestock. To live in a clean world and prevent erosion, we must not only protect and enhance our existing forests but also seize every opportunity to plant more trees and encourage afforestation efforts. Preserving nature should be our primary goal to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy environment with clean air, water, and soil. As a foundation, we are pleased to have planted saplings in memory of our loved ones in various memorial forests established by the TEMA Foundation, which has been carrying out significant work for many years to combat erosion and desertification while promoting the conservation of natural resources and afforestation. We will always continue to fulfill our responsibility to protect nature and the environment.”

Our Leading Organization in Combating Erosion and Desertification: TEMA Foundation

Commonly known to the public as TEMA, the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, Reforestation, and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA Foundation) was established on September 11, 1992, by businessmen Hayrettin Karaca and A. Nihat Koçyiğit with the slogan “Let Turkey Not Become a Desert.” Due to their pioneering initiatives in this field, they gained widespread support from nature enthusiasts, and they became affectionately known to the public as “Toprak Dede” (Grandfather Soil) and “Yaprak Dede” (Grandfather Leaf). As the foundation’s honorary founding presidents, Karaca and Koçyiğit took significant steps to prevent desertification in Turkey. Operating as a scientifically driven, volunteer-based, and internationally recognized civil society organization, TEMA Foundation is committed to the protection of all natural resources, particularly soil, in line with the principle of sustainable living. The foundation plays a vital role in shaping both national and global environmental policies, engaging with the public, and fostering social awareness of environmental issues.

TEMA actively conducts reforestation efforts across all cities in Turkey to establish new forested areas. Additionally, it organizes educational programs to enhance environmental awareness, implements social responsibility projects aimed at rural development and environmental policymaking, and collaborates with leading global organizations, including the United Nations and prominent environmental protection institutions. Due to its extensive efforts in these fields, TEMA has been recognized with numerous international awards, reinforcing its status as a pioneering institution in the fight against erosion and desertification.

The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

Happy International Solidarity Day

The United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 60/209 on December 22, 2005, recognized solidarity as a fundamental and universal value that should serve as the foundation of relations among people in the 21st century. In this context, it designated December 20 as the “International Solidarity Day” to be observed annually.

On this occasion, our Foundation, as a civil society search and rescue organization, has made a donation to SOS Humanity, a non-governmental organization dedicated to striving for a world where human rights are respected for all.

Efforts of civil society for solidarity must be supported to achieve peace in the world.

Regarding the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board Member of our Foundation, stated:

International solidarity is the expression of a spirit of unity among individuals, peoples, civil society actors, businesses, States, and international organizations, aimed at sustaining network-based multilateralism that fosters social cohesion and trust. The principle of international solidarity reflects the awareness of the interconnectedness of peoples and generations in recognizing the rights of others and in the shared authority and responsibility to cooperate in addressing common challenges and protecting global public goods. As a Foundation, we have made a donation to SOS Humanity, a civil society search and rescue organization that continues its efforts for a world where human rights are respected by all.

SOS HUMANİTY

Founded in Berlin in 2015 under the name SOS Mediterranee Germany, the organization has been operating in the Central Mediterranean since 2016. During this time, as part of the European SOS Mediterranee network, it has rescued 34,631 children, women, and men from drowning and brought them to safety.

As a part of the European network, the organization has operated two rescue ships. As a civil society search and rescue organization, SOS Humanity is dedicated to working toward a world where human rights are respected for all. It defends humanity both at sea and on land, striving relentlessly to ensure that no one drowns while fleeing at sea and that every individual is treated with dignity.

The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

We Extend Our Warmest Wishes to all Christians Celebrating the Christmas Holiday

We celebrate Christmas, one of the significant days that remind us of love and tolerance, and is joyously observed by Christians worldwide. We hope that this occasion fosters the approach of days filled with love, free from violence and conflict, opens doors to dialogue and peace in regions devastated by clashes, and extends a helping hand to those exhausted by hunger and war.

On this occasion, as the Salih Tatlıcı Foundation, which approaches all cultures and beliefs with respect and stands equidistant to all religions and faiths without alienating anyone, we sincerely wish for a world where humanity lives together in peace. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all Christians in our country and around the world on Christmas and wish them peace, happiness, and well-being.

 

Nurten & Uğur Tatlıcı

 

Christmas (Noel) Holiday

Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated annually on December 25, marking the birth of Jesus. It is also known as the Feast of the Nativity, Holy Birth, or the Festival of the Incarnation. Most Christians around the world celebrate Christmas on December 25, although in some countries, festivities begin on Christmas Eve, December 24, and continue until the end of December 25.

In modern times, especially in English-speaking regions and some Western countries, the term “Christmas” and similar words derive from the Greek Khristos (Christ) and the Latin messa (Eucharistic mass). The word messa itself traces back to the Latin missa, meaning “sending” or “dismissal.”

On Christmas Day, gifts placed under the Christmas tree are exchanged. For young children, large stockings are filled with presents and sweets, which are said to be delivered by Santa Claus.

In Christianity, the Christmas tree symbolizes the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Its branches and evergreen leaves are considered symbols of immortality and are said to represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during the crucifixion. Additionally, each ornament used to decorate the Christmas tree is believed to carry special significance. Spiritually, these ornaments symbolize personal virtues such as peace, love, kindness, joy, goodness, loyalty, and generosity.

Decorating the tree is a cherished family tradition that brings joy and togetherness. Each year, family members gather to adorn the tree with various ornaments, wishing for a healthy and happy life.

“Happy International Human Rights Day!”

Our foundation, on the occasion of “International Human Rights Day,” celebrated worldwide on December 10 each year, has made a donation to FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights), an international human rights non-governmental organization that unites 188 organizations from 116 countries, advocating for all civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights outlined in the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” since 1922. In recognition of this donation, FIDH presented a certificate of appreciation to our foundation.

Human Rights Are The Foundation Of Peaceful, Just, And İnclusive Societies.

Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board member of our Foundation, commented on the donation: “Human rights have the power to empower individuals and communities to build a better future. By fully embracing and relying on the power of human rights as the path to the world we envision, we can create a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable society. On this Human Rights Day, we should focus on the role of human rights as a pathway to solutions, recognizing their critical role as a preventive, protective, and transformative force for good. We must acknowledge the importance of human rights in our daily lives and work diligently to counter hate speech, correct misinformation, and combat disinformation to change perceptions. As a Foundation, we have made a donation to FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights), which has been advocating for freedom of movement for human rights defenders and the universality of rights for over 100 years.”

FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)

FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights), which has 192 member organizations worldwide, has been fighting against impunity for over a century and working to protect victims from powerful actors such as states—the primary guarantors of human rights—as well as armed opposition groups and multinational corporations. The Federation actively advocates for the freedom of movement of human rights defenders and the universality of rights.

Founded in 1922 in the aftermath of World War I, FIDH is the first international NGO dedicated to defending human rights. The organization investigates and documents human rights violations while promoting policies that ensure respect for human rights by states.

The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

Support from Our Foundation for World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated annually on November 20 to promote international unity, raise awareness among children worldwide, and improve their welfare. November 20 also marks the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly. Since 1990, World Children’s Day has commemorated the anniversaries of these landmark events.

As the Salih Tatlici foundation, we made a donation to Save the Children, an international non-governmental organization that has been working for over 100 years to ensure the survival, education, and protection of the world’s most vulnerable children. Through its efforts, Save the Children reaches tens of millions of children annually in over 110 countries, advocating for their rights and best interests. Following our contribution, the organization presented our foundation with a letter of gratitude.

Celebrating the Youngest Members of Our Human Family on World Children’s Day

Commenting on the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board Member our foundation, stated:

“Millions of children in our country and across the world struggle to survive in the face of poverty, violence, disease, and hunger. They are exposed to wars and disasters for which they bear no responsibility. Many are deprived of education and other fundamental rights. As a foundation, we donated to Save the Children to support children regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, disabilities, age, or sexual orientation.”

“Save the Children” Foundation

A century ago, a courageous woman named Eglantyne Jebb founded Save the Children in response to the devastating suffering children endured as a result of war. Armed with ideas ahead of her time, Eglantyne Jebb changed the course of history by declaring that all children should have rights. This revolutionary notion ignited a global movement aimed at making the world a better place for children and played a pivotal role in shaping the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Today, many children worldwide face significant disadvantages at birth due to who they are and where they come from. Millions of children die from preventable causes and struggle with poverty, violence, disease, and hunger.

By prioritizing the most vulnerable children, the foundation advocates for the rights and interests of children globally. With a dedicated team of 25,000 professionals across 113 countries, Save the Children responds to major emergencies, implements innovative development programs, and ensures that children’s voices are heard through campaigns that strive to build a better future for them.
The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

Support from Our Foundation for Children Battling Cancer

As the Salih Tatlici foundation, we have made a donation to the “Fondation de France”, an organization dedicated to accelerating childhood cancer research by funding European research programs that promote innovations and advancements. Their goal is to provide better care for children with cancer and assist their families. In appreciation of our support, we have received a thank-you letter from the aforementioned foundation.

We Have Supported the “Imagine For Margo” Foundation, Which Brings Smiles to Leukemia and Cancer Patients.

Regarding the donation, Executive Board Member of our Foundation, Uğur Tatlıcı, stated: “Since it is an organization that provides support to thousands of children with cancer and their families, finding lasting solutions to their challenges, we are pleased as a foundation to contribute to the fight for life of children with cancer through the Fondation de France.”

Fondation de France / Imagine for Margo – Children Without Cancer

The “Imagine for Margo – Children Without Cancer” Foundation was established in December 2017 under the patronage of Fondation de France. Its goal is to accelerate childhood cancer research by financing European research programs that encourage discoveries and innovations, thus providing better care for children with cancer.

Cancer is the leading cause of death among children in Europe: each year, 35,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and 6,000 of them die from it. There are 60 types of pediatric cancers, which differ from adult cancers, making them rare diseases. European cancer research has primarily focused on adult cancers, and since childhood cancers are rarer, they are less profitable for the pharmaceutical industry.

Most children with cancer are treated with adult treatments. Since 2020, the Imagine for Margo Foundation has been raising funds to finance research programs under the Fight Kids Cancer European project call.
The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

Support from Our Foundation to the Tibrevank Armenian High School Foundation

Our Foundation has made a donation to the “Özel Surp Haç Tibrevank Armenian High School Foundation”, which has been providing education for over 300 years, located in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul.

We Continue to Support All Educational Institutions

Regarding the donation, Executive Board Member of our Foundation, Uğur Tatlıcı, stated: “We are pleased to support the ‘Özel Surp Haç Tibrevank Armenian High School Foundation’, which has been operating for centuries to educate the children of the Armenian community living in Istanbul.”

Surp Haç Tibrevank Armenian High School Foundation

In a deed from 1706, we come across the name Muallimhane associated with a school called Surp Haç. The school building was destroyed by the famous fires of Üsküdar in 1791, 1825, and 1846. The building was rebuilt for the last time in 1892. In 1919, part of the school was converted into an orphanage, a function it maintained until 1938. In 1953, through the efforts of Patriarch Karekin I. Haçaduryan, Surp Haç School was transformed into a theological school with middle school, high school, and theology divisions. The theology division was closed in 1967, and the school continued to exist as Surp Haç High School. In 1987-1988, the school became co-educational and currently offers a four-year high school education. In 2003, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Surp Haç Theological School was celebrated. The foundation status of the institution was officially recognized again by the Directorate General of Foundations in 2012.

The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

Salih Tatlıcı Foundation Higher Education Scholarship

The primary principle of our foundation is to contribute to the development of generations that will lead innovation and change, empowered through education.

As a foundation, we are delighted to continue providing scholarships to talented young individuals without access to quality education during the 2024–2025 academic year. Once again, we are collaborating with Darüşşafaka Society, one of Turkey’s most prestigious educational institutions with a 161-year history, to offer scholarships to university students.

The criteria for selecting scholarship recipients, the scholarship amounts, and the conditions for its continuation are determined in accordance with the regulations set by the Darüşşafaka Society.

We wish continued success to the university students we support with these scholarships.


Salih Tatlıcı Foundation

Board of Directors


Our traditional institution, Darüşşafaka Society, which has been providing equal educational opportunities for 161 years.

The association named “Cemiyet-i Tedrisiye-i İslamiye” was founded by Yusuf Ziya Pasha, Gazi Ahmed Muhtar Pasha, Vidinli Hüseyin Tevfik Pasha, Sakızlı Ahmet Esat Pasha, and Ali Naki Efendi on March 30, 1863, under a decree issued by Sultan Abdulaziz. Its purpose was to support the education of poor and orphaned children. The association, whose members included numerous Ottoman pashas and intellectuals, became the first example of civil organization in the field of education in Turkey’s history.

Since 1863, Darüşşafaka Educational Institutions, supported by donations from philanthropists, have been nurturing talented young individuals who lack access to quality education, shaping them into confident, responsible leaders who embrace universal values and are aware of their duties to their country and society. Darüşşafaka Society also provides unconditional scholarship support to its graduates from Darüşşafaka High School as they continue their studies at university. Furthermore, since 2014, the society has established a higher education scholarship program for university students who are not graduates of Darüşşafaka.

The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.

Support from Our Foundation to the “Taksim Surp Agop Armenian Catholic Hospital Foundation

Since its establishment in 1831, the Salih Tatlici foundation has remained steadfast in its commitment to respect and service to humanity. In alignment with these values, we have made a donation to the centuries-old Taksim Surp Agop Armenian Catholic Hospital Foundation in Istanbul, which has provided medical care to both military and civilian patients from across the country.

We Continue to Support Our Centuries-Old Institutions.

Regarding the donation, Executıve Board Member of our Foundation, Uğur Tatlıcı, stated: “We are delighted to support the centuries-old Taksim Surp Agop Armenian Catholic Hospital Foundation, which has been dedicated to improving public health since its inception. By investing in the healthcare sector to keep pace with modern advancements, this institution has continually served our community. We will continue to support such charitable organizations.”

Taksim Surp Agop Armenian Catholic Hospital Foundation

The idea of constructing the hospital originated in February 1831 and gained momentum with the issuance of a decree by Sultan Mahmud II, based on authorization letters from Tophane Commander-in-Chief Halil Pasha and the Galata Judge. The land on which the current hospital and surrounding buildings are located was purchased by the community in 1836. During that time, a tent hospital was erected on the site to treat patients affected by the cholera and plague epidemics in Istanbul and to help control the outbreaks.

Due to the determined efforts of the hospital’s Board of Directors to establish a permanent facility, construction of the wooden Surp Agop Hospital began with donations collected from the community and the support of volunteer labor. It officially opened its doors in 1837. In 1854, after the earthquake disaster in Bursa, injured victims who came to Istanbul were treated at Surp Agop Hospital.

Despite the significant challenges posed by the two World Wars occurring roughly 30 years apart, Surp Agop Hospital managed to persevere and continued its successful operations in the Republic of Turkey. In 1968, a reinforced concrete building was constructed on the same site, marking a significant modernization effort. Since then, the hospital has undergone continuous development and enhancements, achieving a modern standard of service through expansions and improvements.

As part of these restructuring efforts, it became evident that the nearly 50-year-old building was no longer adequate or safe against potential earthquakes. Consequently, the old building was demolished to construct a much larger, more functional, and safer facility. The construction of the new hospital and nursing home buildings is still ongoing. In the meantime, the hospital continues its operations as a multi-specialty outpatient clinic on the ground floor of the Surp Agop Apartments in Elmadağ.

The donations and aid projects mentioned here were made by the founders of our Foundation, Nurten Tatlıcı and her son Uğur Tatlıcı, in memory of the late Salih Tatlıcı, the benevolent person whose name continues to live on through our Foundation and whom they bid farewell in journey to eternity in 2009.