You are invited to: Turkish Philanthropy Funds Gala
TPF Gala
CELEBRATING 15TH ANNIVERSARY
We are sold out for the evening. We are grateful for the interest from our community and all the support we've received.
On May 9, 2022, we will celebrate our 15th year and honor Mr. Hamdi Ulukaya with the Philanthropist of the Year Award for his lifetime dedication to philanthropy to achieve a world of justice and equality at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Today, we are proud to be the leading Turkish-American community foundation for high-impact social investments. Our story began in 2007 when a handful of visionaries united as a small but determined team established Turkish Philanthropy Funds to bring our community together for impactful and effective philanthropy. In the past two decades, we have become a connector between donors and partners working to bring us safe, strong, and vibrant communities. Our legacy builds on each donor's story.
TPF Gala is a rich, immersive, thought-provoking experience dedicated to exploring the essential role philanthropy plays in the social and economic development of our society and in creating innovative change. All net proceeds support TPF’s work on the most critical challenges to incite change in the areas of education, gender equality, health, development, arts, and disaster relief —today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.
On May 9, 2022, we will celebrate our 15th year and honor Mr. Hamdi Ulukaya with the Philanthropist of the Year Award for his lifetime dedication to philanthropy to achieve a world of justice and equality at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Today, we are proud to be the leading Turkish-American community foundation for high-impact social investments. Our story began in 2007 when a handful of visionaries united as a small but determined team established Turkish Philanthropy Funds to bring our community together for impactful and effective philanthropy. In the past two decades, we have become a connector between donors and partners working to bring us safe, strong, and vibrant communities. Our legacy builds on each donor's story.
TPF Gala is a rich, immersive, thought-provoking experience dedicated to exploring the essential role philanthropy plays in the social and economic development of our society and in creating innovative change. All net proceeds support TPF’s work on the most critical challenges to incite change in the areas of education, gender equality, health, development, arts, and disaster relief —today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.
Registration is now closed. We look forward to hosting you.
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028
1000 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028
Date & Time
May 9, 2022
Cocktail Reception at 6:30 PM
The Great Hall
Dinner and Program at 7:30 PM
The Temple of Dendur
Black Tie
Cocktail Reception at 6:30 PM
The Great Hall
Dinner and Program at 7:30 PM
The Temple of Dendur
Black Tie
PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
HAMDI ULUKAYA
Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
CHOBANI
Hamdi Ulukaya has been named as the recipient of the 2022 TPF Philanthropist of the Year Award, which honors an outstanding philanthropist every year that has made significant contributions to philanthropy to make our communities stronger.
We are proud to honor Hamdi Ulukaya with this year’s award in recognition of his lifetime dedication to philanthropy, especially his commitment to helping bring an end to the refugee crisis through Tent Partnership for Refugees. His life exemplifies the meaning of philanthropy, as seen through his career, leadership, and philanthropic engagement. Hamdi has tirelessly championed a fair and equitable world for his employees, the communities supporting his business, refugees all around the world, and our society at large.
Raised in eastern Turkey, Hamdi Ulukaya founded Chobani in 2005 with the mission of making better food more accessible and providing good food for all, while also improving local communities. Selling the first cup of yogurt in 2007, Chobani became the No. 1-selling Greek Yogurt brand in the U.S. less than five years later. A devoted philanthropist, Ulukaya signed the Giving Pledge and founded the Tent Partnership for Refugees in 2016 to help end the global refugee crisis. Ulukaya serves on the board of La Colombe Torrefaction LLC, Pathfinder Village, and the Tent Partnership for Refugees.
Honorary Benefactors
15th Year Celebratory Sponsor
The Özmen Family
The Visionaries
Selin and Ali Gülçelik
Haldun Tashman
The Pioneers
Zeynep and Evren Bilimer
Yonca and Halit Özbelli
The Philanthropists
Bank of America
Chobani
The Özmen Family
The Visionaries
Selin and Ali Gülçelik
Haldun Tashman
The Pioneers
Zeynep and Evren Bilimer
Yonca and Halit Özbelli
The Philanthropists
Bank of America
Chobani
Board of Directors
Mehmet Lütfi Kırdar, Chairman
Merve Gürsel, Gala Chair
Maria Figueroa Küpçü, Co-Vice Chair
Osman C. Kurtuluş, Co-Vice Chair
Civan Gökay, Treasurer
Lawrence Kaye, Secretary
Ahmet Bozer
Alp Önalan
Ayşegül İldeniz
Barbaros Karaahmet
Didem Altop
Ergün Kırlıkovalı
Ersin Karaoğlu
Gülden Mesara
Onur Erzan
Onur Karayal
Rahmi H. Sayder
Selin Gülçelik
Seran Müdüroğlu Trehan
Zeynep Oğuz Bilimer
Şenay Ataselim-Yılmaz, PhD
Executive Director
Merve Gürsel, Gala Chair
Maria Figueroa Küpçü, Co-Vice Chair
Osman C. Kurtuluş, Co-Vice Chair
Civan Gökay, Treasurer
Lawrence Kaye, Secretary
Ahmet Bozer
Alp Önalan
Ayşegül İldeniz
Barbaros Karaahmet
Didem Altop
Ergün Kırlıkovalı
Ersin Karaoğlu
Gülden Mesara
Onur Erzan
Onur Karayal
Rahmi H. Sayder
Selin Gülçelik
Seran Müdüroğlu Trehan
Zeynep Oğuz Bilimer
Şenay Ataselim-Yılmaz, PhD
Executive Director
KAAN SEKBAN
Master of Ceremonies
Kaan Sekban is one of the most popular stand-up comedians in Turkey. His background in banking and finance made him a hit with the corporate world. His stand-up, Sacmalar, had 170 sold-out shows in Turkey and worldwide. His recent "Kaan Sekban'la Alt Tarafı Bi' Talk Show" quickly became a success within television comedy.
We provide a forum for people to connect and exchange ideas and explore perspectives that can change the conversation and achieve high-impact philanthropy for community good. Each donor’s individual contribution adds up to our collective impact.
We believe that doing this work together allows us to create a community that collaborates and honors each other’s voices through innovative approaches addressing community needs. We know that we are more powerful when we work together.
Our donor services are high-touch and highly tailored which enables donors to trace the full journey of their contributions. We are committed to showing how every donation is used and hold our partners to the same high standards.
Our donors have access to tools to tell their own stories with their gifts to demonstrate what matters to them . We work towards building a better future and a legacy of giving for our donors individually and for the Turkish-American community at large.
TPF GALA SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
TPF Gala Sponsorship Opportunities are a unique way to support TPF through memorable event elements. Learn more about the opportunities here. You can register online here or contact us at 646.530.8988 or [email protected] to register.
The Marmara Park Avenue offers discounted stays between May 1 and 15 for TPF Gala guests. Book online here.
COVID-19 PROTOCOL: In accordance with the New York State mandate, all guests must provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination (as defined by the CDC) to attend. The venue requires full-face coverings while on the premises except when guests are eating and drinking. These protocols are subject to change as CDC recommendations and guidelines are updated.
All guests will be required to upload negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test results to Crown Pass at least 3 hour before the start of the Gala and will in return receive a QR code to gain access to the museum. Detailed directions will be sent out to all guests in the first week of May. Kindly note that no refunds will be made in case of positive test results.
All guests will be required to upload negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test results to Crown Pass at least 3 hour before the start of the Gala and will in return receive a QR code to gain access to the museum. Detailed directions will be sent out to all guests in the first week of May. Kindly note that no refunds will be made in case of positive test results.
