Just recently, at TPF we all rejoiced as we clicked ‘send’ to disperse the last portion of a grant to Tarsus American College Alumni Association (TAC-AA), bringing their total amount received to $120,000. The funds are going to be used to give scholarships to students coming from low-income families, but with the right test scores to admit them to the school. Through a project called “Bir Tugla Sende Koy”, TAC-AA has been providing scholarships to students for over five years. But we wouldn’t even be discussing this grant if it weren’t for three motivated individuals(Haldun Tashman, Zafer Ecevit and Marz Attar) that wanted to create a memorial fund in the name of their favorite teachers. Talas American School alumni joined forces to honor two stellar families of teachers that impacted their lives. Talas American School has closed since their graduation, however, the alumni were excited to choose TAC-AA as the recipient of the scholarship fund.
These two teachers lived extraordinary lives, challenging the norm in the 1940s and 50s. Mr. John Scott and Mr. Bill Edmonds both moved to Turkey, on different accords, but both found themselves teaching at Talas. At this all boys’ middle school, 12-year olds arrived as little boys but left as young, responsible, older boys ready to make an impact on the world.
Their parent’s left an enormous amount of trust in their teachers, and they did so quite rightfully.
Scott moved to Turkey straight out of college. Deeply interested in world peace and understanding among all nations, he believed Turkey would make a great impact one day. He was a passionate teacher and a devoted citizen of the community. Through work camps and community service projects with students at Talas, students and colleagues grew to love and honor him for his positive energy. Mr. Scott worked as the headmaster and Mrs. Scott the librarian, offering a huge majority of their time to Talas. The Edmonds’ were just as involved in student activity at Talas. Mr. Bill Edmonds was the head of the Music department while Anna worked in the English department. As another couple that put education and creativity first before anything, they were revered and loved.
Fast forward 55 years, and the students of these teachers can still feel the impression they made on their careers and lives. As the students pondered how they could
thank them in a way that would equate to what was given to them, TPF came to their minds. As an organization that specializes in helping donors shape their giving to Turkey, they knew that an education fund would be best fit. In their honor, Talas American College alumni, Haldun Tashman (’59), Zafer Ecevit (’59) and Marz Attar (’59) opened a Donor Advised Fund with TPF. The three of them, plus Erkan Esmer (’56), Tamer Seckin, Aydin Koc and many more donated towards the donor advised fund. Over a few years, through donations from FABSIT, too, the group raised $120,000 to give in the name of Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds.
TPF helped these Alumni seamlessly form an innovative way to honor individuals that meant most to them by playing the intermediary between the donor and the final recipient. TPF gave tax-deductions to all donors, which wouldn’t have been possible if they had given directly to TAC. It also held onto the donations, which accrued interest, until the group was ready to disperse funds.
Turkish Philanthropy Funds can do the same for you. To learn how, call or email us. We’ll help you through the process and cater to your philanthropic needs.