Recognizing the need for financial aid to academically gifted youth who are the first generation students in their families to achieve higher education, Yonca Kundupoglu of Princeton, New Jersey introduced two types of Micro-Scholarships to our portfolio of programs:

 

 

Educational opportunities available to students in economically disadvantaged Turkish communities are inexcusably narrow and limited. Disruptive change is needed, especially for academically gifted students whose parents never had an opportunity to receive higher education. Micro-Scholarships (MS) are designed to break the cycle and provide a ray of hope by introducing a positive disruption in the lives of high-potential students.

Yonca's MS initiative combines two fundamental notions. First, academically gifted but high need students lack opportunities to realize their potential. Second, people of all means can participate in small scale philanthropy and affect profound change. Micro-Scholarships bridge these two notions together by giving everyone a grassroots opportunity to individually, or in groups, to fund scholarships for impoverished students with a proven record for academic excellence. To promote lasting change, all BTF MS recipients are also requested to undertake a good citizenship requirement by either agreeing to mentor a younger MS recipient or agreeing to remember to help someone in need once they complete their academic pursuits.

You can help create real change – lasting change - for first generation college bound students. BTF facilitates the campaign, aggregates all donations and provides complete transparency at all stages of the process. Also, BTF's all volunteer board covers operational expenses so that 100% of your donation goes directly to the student in need.

For Yonca it is personal.  She is honoring the memory of her late father, Metin Kunupoglu from Trabzon, by sponsoring 7 college bound students in rural Turkey.  Isin Buyuklimanli and her Buyuklimanli Circle of Friends from New Jersey are sponsoring 12 students (elementary school through university) on an annual basis.   Wilmington Turks and Charlotte Turks have recently hosted events, raising funds in excess of $3,000 each, to provide scholarships as a Community.

Taking advantage of the internet revolution, BTF's Micro-Scholarships enable anyone from anywhere in the world to sponsor a child with modest donations; much like political candidates use the internet to tap into small campaign contributions. Ours is an internet based program that allows everyone to invest in real social change. With as little as $25, a credit card and an internet connection, anyone can invest in the life of a deserving student. Or donors can send a check to BTF and note the donation is for BTF’s MS program. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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