# Top 30 foundations in Istanbul

Tamtam tracks 35 foundations headquartered in Istanbul. This list ranks the 30 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by VakıfBank, Medipol Healthcare Group and Yeditepe University. Their median headcount is 1,229. Half of them were founded in 1997 or later.

These Istanbul-based foundations are primarily large organizations in the education and healthcare sectors. Notable examples include Yeditepe University, a foundation university offering diverse programs, and Medipol Healthcare Group, a private university hospital providing advanced medical services. Amerikan Hastanesi, established in 1920, is a leading healthcare center, while VakıfBank, founded in 1954, offers a wide range of banking products and services.

The data shows a strong concentration of higher education institutions, with many founded between the late 1990s and the late 2000s, such as Özyeğin University and İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi. This indicates a significant focus on academic development and specialized services within the city's foundation landscape.

🇹🇷 Istanbul · 30 companies · Updated Nov 12, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [VakıfBank](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/vak-fbank) (vakifbank.com.tr)<br>Established in 1954, the organization offers a wide range of modern banking products and services, specializing in corporate, commercial, and retail banking, along with investment banking and capital market activities | Banking | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 11,881 | 1954 |
| 2 | [Medipol Healthcare Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/medipol-healthcare-group) (medipol.com.tr)<br>Leading private university hospital in Turkey, offering General, Cardiovascular, Oncology, and Dental services with advanced medical technology and a focus on improving quality of life | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 4,053 | 1997 |
| 3 | [Yeditepe University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/yeditepe-university) (yeditepe.edu.tr)<br>A leading foundation university in Turkey, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing academic quality, global partnerships, and innovative research projects | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 3,458 | 1996 |
| 4 | [Amerikan Hastanesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/amerikan-hastanesi) (amerikanhastanesi.org)<br>A leading healthcare center in Turkey and neighboring countries, providing modern medical services since 1920 with a non-profit approach | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 2,160 | 1920 |
| 5 | [Türkiye Teknoloji Takımı Vakfı](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/turkiye-teknoloji-tak-m-vakf) (t3vakfi.org)<br>We are a group of young entrepreneurs and professionals who believe in advancing Turkey's technology sector for a better world | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 2,073 | 2016 |
| 6 | [İstinye Üniversitesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istinye-universitesi) (istinye.edu.tr)<br>Our vision is to share academic knowledge nationally and internationally, while guiding the academic world with science to lead society towards a brighter future Our mission focuses on promoting human values in research, education, and contributing to global society | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,774 | 2015 |
| 7 | [Özyeğin University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ozyegin-university) (ozyegin.edu.tr)<br>A 3rd generation university focused on creating and sharing knowledge to benefit society through innovative learning programs and applied research | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,681 | 2007 |
| 8 | [İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istanbul-gelisim-universitesi) (gelisim.edu.tr)<br>Higher education institution offering various programs accredited by international organizations, aiming to become a global university with a focus on success and internationalization | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,528 | 2008 |
| 9 | [Istanbul Arel University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istanbul-arel-university) (arel.edu.tr)<br>A leading institution in Turkey providing high-quality education, contributing to social and economic transformation, fostering academic and personal development of students | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,513 | 2007 |
| 10 | [İstanbul Nişantaşı Üniversitesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istanbul-nisantas-universitesi) (nisantasi.edu.tr)<br>A global educational institution focused on transforming lives by nurturing dreams, setting goals, and empowering students to reach their full potential | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,501 |  |
| 11 | [SEV– Health and Education Foundation](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/sev-health-and-education-foundation) (sev.org.tr)<br>A non-profit organization managing prestigious schools and a publishing house in Turkey, focused on providing high-quality education and nurturing well-rounded individuals for society | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,489 |  |
| 12 | [Üsküdar University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/uskudar-university) (uskudar.edu.tr)<br>Specializing in behavioral science, this organization aims to produce knowledge, projects, and academic work at global standards while developing resources and fostering collaborations | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,384 | 2011 |
| 13 | [Istanbul Kultur University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istanbul-kultur-university) (linktr.ee)<br>A foundation university offering education and schooling with the same rights and capacity as a state university, established in 1997 | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,312 | 1997 |
| 14 | [FMV Işık Okulları](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/fmv-is-k-okullar) (fmv.edu.tr)<br>Established in 1885, the institution has been providing education from kindergarten to university level, focusing on developing well-rounded individuals through various international programs | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,253 | 1885 |
| 15 | [Istek Schools](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istek-schools) (istek.k12.tr)<br>An educational foundation established in 1985 focusing on raising modern and entrepreneurial generations according to Atatürk's principles, with a chain of schools and a university | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,229 | 1985 |
| 16 | [TEGV - Türkiye Eğitim Gönüllüleri Vakfı](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/tegv-turkiye-egitim-gonulluleri-vakf) (tegv.org)<br>Promoting education in Turkey by providing out-of-school support to children and aiming to create well-rounded individuals through various educational programs and activities | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,181 | 1995 |
| 17 | [Kadir Has University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/kadir-has-university) (khas.edu.tr)<br>Dedicated to advancing education and contributing to the country's development through innovative research and academic programs, preparing students to be successful leaders in society | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,149 | 1997 |
| 18 | [Halic Universitesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/halic-universitesi) (halic.edu.tr)<br>A foundation university offering a variety of academic faculties and institutes, established in accordance with the Higher Education Law | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,148 | 1998 |
| 19 | [Maltepe University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/maltepe-university) (maltepe.edu.tr)<br>Education institution promoting modern teaching methods, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and respect for democracy and Atatürk's principles for global competitiveness | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 1,103 | 1997 |
| 20 | [TEMA Foundation](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/tema-foundation) (tema.org.tr)<br>A grassroots movement with over 1 million volunteers, dedicated to fighting erosion and preserving our natural resources | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 723 | 1992 |
| 21 | [İstanbul Gedik Üniversitesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istanbul-gedik-universitesi) (gedik.edu.tr)<br>Specialized in providing education to create skilled individuals with industry-specific knowledge and expertise to meet the demands of various sectors | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 702 | 2010 |
| 22 | [İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/istanbul-yeni-yuzy-l-universitesi) (yeniyuzyil.edu.tr)<br>A university founded in 2009, offering various faculties, institutes, and programs with a focus on education and healthcare principles | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 638 | 2009 |
| 23 | [Hisar School](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/hisar-school) (hisarschool.k12.tr)<br>A K-12 school in Istanbul dedicated to helping students reach their true potential through a diverse, supportive, and values-driven educational environment | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 597 | 1996 |
| 24 | [Işık Üniversitesi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/is-k-universitesi) (isikun.edu.tr)<br>A university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in various fields, with a focus on cultivating enlightened individuals and fostering innovation and research | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 596 | 1996 |
| 25 | [Yeditepe Üniversitesi Hastaneleri](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/yeditepe-universitesi-hastaneleri) (yeditepehastaneleri.com)<br>A leading university hospital network in Turkey offering a wide range of medical services, advanced treatments, and innovative research in various medical fields | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 577 | 2005 |
| 26 | [IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ihh-humanitarian-relief-foundation) (ihh.org.tr)<br>An NGO providing humanitarian relief globally in areas of war, disaster, and conflict, and holding Special Consultative Status with the UN | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 573 | 1995 |
| 27 | [İTÜ Development Foundation Schools](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/itu-development-foundation-schools) (itugvo.k12.tr)<br>Educational institution focused on nurturing independent thinkers with strong study habits, creativity, ethical values, and aesthetic perception through various activities | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 543 | 2000 |
| 28 | [Ibn Haldun University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ibn-haldun-university) (ihu.edu.tr)<br>An educational institution offering quality education and research projects, with a focus on becoming a leading research university in Turkey and globally | Education Administration Programs | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 518 | 2015 |
| 29 | [TURK EGITIM VAKFI](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/turk-egitim-vakfi) (tev.org.tr)<br>An NGO dedicated to supporting youth education in Turkey through scholarships, educational facilities, and libraries, with a focus on creating knowledge | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 426 | 1967 |
| 30 | [Academic Hospital](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/academic-hospital) (academichospital.com.tr)<br>A foundation established in 1985, providing world-class healthcare services since 1997 through a modern hospital offering a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 372 | 1985 |

## How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.

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## The same list elsewhere in Turkey

- [Foundations in Turkey](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/foundations-turkey) (77)

## The same list elsewhere

- [Foundations in the world](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/foundations-in-the-world) (1,835)

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/foundations-istanbul