The Sabancı family founded the Sabancı Foundation 49 years ago based on the principle of "sharing what we have obtained from this land with its people", beginning a journey to contribute to the social development in Turkey by making a difference in its peoples' lives. Thus, since 2009, we have been sharing with Turkey the stories of Changemakers, who strive to solve the problems they encounter in their living environment and provide the society with courage, in order to support those social entrepreneurs, activists, and change-actors that produce innovative solutions to social problems, to make them visible, and to inspire the society.

No pre-requisites are required to apply. You can apply as a person, team, project, initiative, or institution. If you believe in your work's contribution to the society and think this should be more widespread, please feel free to complete the application form.

Applications are evaluated by the Advisory Board and the selected Changemakers are announced with a launch event every year. Changemakers, who become visible in this process, embark on a journey in order to expand their activities and make them sustainable within the scope of the Support Program. First; short, medium and long term roadmaps are created as a result of the needs analysis conducted with experts and starts to work with Sabancı Foundation in line with the goals they set. Participating in various trainings and workshops, Changemakers also have the opportunity to contact past seasons’ Changemakers and develop collaborations. Changemakers also get involved in the mentoring process and matched by expects in their fields. In addition to these, they also get the chance to participate in the events organized by the Sabancı Foundation and to establish relationships with different networks within the foundation.

We receive applications through the application system on our website which operates at a certain time of the year. When you visit our website as the applications are closed, if you register for our e-newsletter, we will notify you by e-mail when the applications are opened again. We recommend that you follow our social media accounts to be informed about all announcements.

You can use the application system accessible on our website to nominate someone else in a designated period of time. You will find a reminder form if you visit the page at any time other than this time span. If you complete this form, you will be notified via e-mail once the applications are open again.

Yes. You can nominate different individuals/organizations.

Each candidate is evaluated only once even if they have been nominated by multiple people.

Yes, you can. We ask you to specify during your application any grants/awards etc. you have previously received.

We expect the application of a candidate with reference to a project/initiative/work/organization proposes a concrete and sustainable model, has creative and inspiring aspects, produces solutions to some social problems, and it is transparent and reliable.

The selection process is composed of a multi-staged evaluation system, including an assessment by the Advisory Board and face-to-face interviews.

The Advisory Board consists of 17 independent individuals, including civil society experts, academicians, and business people.

The deadline is Thursday, November 30, 2023. Applications should be submitted by 23.59, on that day. Applications are accepted only in Turkish.

We never share any information you provide to us with any third party under the Law on the Protection of Personal Data. And during the evaluation stage, we keep all your data confidential under the confidentiality agreement we have signed with our Advisory Board members.

You can use the contact form on the website. We will get back to your question via e-mail within one week.