T.c. Vakiflar Genel Mudurlugu

What T.c. Vakiflar Genel Mudurlugu does

T.C. Vakiflar Genel Mudurlugu (Directorate General of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey) is a Turkish government directorate operating under the Prime Ministry, responsible for the regulatory oversight, registration, and administration of all charitable foundations (vakiflar) in Turkey. It manages more than 42,000 Mazbut (merged) foundations inherited from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, 280 Mulhak (appended) pre-republic foundations, approximately 4,787 new foundations established under Turkish civil law, and 166 Cemaat (community) foundations. The directorate oversees approximately 8,750 registered immovable cultural properties spanning Ottoman heritage, with 5,800 restoration projects completed as of October 2023.

The directorate's core technology platforms include the Vakif Bilgi Yönetim Sistemi (VBYS) for foundation records management, the Elektronik Tebligat Sistemi (UETS) for electronic official notifications integrated with Turkey's postal service (PTT), and the Online Ödeme Sistemi for foundation-related payment processing. Its proprietary capabilities extend into cultural heritage management through Turkey's first-ever Cultural Heritage Earthquake Risk Management Guideline for Historical Structures, developed with Italian experts under the Med-Art II Project. Digital service offerings include E-Beyanname declaration systems, Vakif Sorgulama inquiry portals, İhale Sorgulama procurement systems, and the Çalinan Kültür Varliklari database tracking stolen cultural assets.

Revenue and business model: As a state institution, the directorate is funded through the Turkish government budget rather than commercial revenue streams. It generates supplemental income through real estate investment models on waqf properties, including Kat Karsiligi (flat-for-land) construction (808 properties evaluated 2002-2021), restoration-lease (392 properties), and construction-lease (484 properties evaluated 2002-2021). Wholly-owned subsidiaries span higher education (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif Universitesi, Bezmialem Vakif Universitesi), museums (Ankara Vakif Eserleri Müzesi, Sahip Ata Vakif Müzesi, Vakiflar Hali Müzesi), and participation banking (Vakif Katilim, Kuveyt Türk). Distribution operates through 20+ regional directorates nationwide, e-Devlet integration via turkiye.gov.tr, and dedicated subdomain services, supplemented by international engagement across the Balkans, Middle East, and Turkic states through youth exchanges, symposiums, and waqf cooperation agreements.

Name

T.c. Vakiflar Genel Mudurlugu

Legal name

T.C. Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü

Website

https://vgm.gov.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

T.C. Vakiflar Genel Mudurlugu is a Turkish government directorate that regulates and administers more than 42,000 charitable foundations (vakiflar) and approximately 8,750 cultural heritage properties, delivering social assistance, heritage restoration, and digital foundation management services to Turkish citizens, foundation administrators, and international waqf communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Foundation Management

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation administration
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Social assistance services
• Endowment management
• Foundation regulatory oversight

Headquarters

HQ city

Kizilay

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

T.C. Vakiflar Genel Mudurlugu is a Turkish government directorate that administers, regulates, and audits over 42,000 charitable foundations (vakiflar/waqf), preserves and restores approximately 8,750 immovable cultural heritage properties dating to the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, distributes charitable assistance to needy populations through monthly stipends, food aid, soup kitchens, and scholarships, and manages endowment investments through flat-for-land, restoration-lease, and construction-lease models.

Product overview

T.C. Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü operates a unified platform of foundation management services including the Vakıf Bilgi Yönetim Sistemi (VBYS) for internal records management, multiple cultural museums (Ankara Vakıf Eserleri Müzesi, Sahip Ata Vakıf Müzesi, Vakıflar Halı Müzesi), digital services (E-Beyanname, E-Tebligat, Online Ödeme, Vakıf Sorgulama, İhale Sorgulama), the Vakıf Şehir Dergisi publication, and Burs Hizmetleri for scholarship distribution. The Directorate manages over 8,750 cultural properties with approximately 5,800 restoration projects completed as of October 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vakif Bilgi Yonetim Sistemi (VBYS) - Foundation Information Management System Comprehensive digital system managing foundation records, registrations, declarations, and administrative processes for over 42,000 foundations under the directorate's supervision. Used by foundation trustees and administrators to submit filings and manage charitable endowment records.
• Vakiflar Hali Muzesi (Foundations Carpet Museum) Museum dedicated to displaying foundation-owned carpets and textiles, part of the cultural heritage preservation activities of the directorate. Open to public visitors as a cultural tourism and education service.
• Ankara Vakif Eserleri Muzesi (AVEM) - Ankara Foundation Artifacts Museum Museum in Ankara showcasing foundation-owned artifacts including metalwork and woodwork art pieces, with accessibility features and conservation workshops. Open to public visitors.
• Sahip Ata Vakif Muzesi Museum operated by the Directorate General showcasing cultural artifacts and foundation heritage. Open to public visitors.
• Vakif Sehir Dergisi (Waqf City Magazine) Quarterly publication magazine covering foundation culture, history, activities, and regional foundation heritage across Turkey, with 49 published issues. Available as downloadable PDF from the official website.
• E-Beyanname ve Bildirim Sistemi (Electronic Declaration and Notification System) Electronic declaration and notification system for foundations to submit required reports, declarations, and tax exemption filings to the Directorate. Used by foundation trustees for regulatory compliance.
• E-Tebligat Sistemi (Electronic Official Notification System) Electronic official notification system for legal communications with foundations, integrated with PTT (postal service) and UETS for delivering official notices.
• Online Odeme Sistemi (Online Payment Platform) Online payment platform enabling secure transactions for foundation-related services and charitable contributions.
• Vakif Sorgulama Sistemi (Foundation Inquiry System) Online public search and inquiry system for foundation information, including contact details, scholarship-offering foundations, and foundation registration records.
• Burs Hizmetleri (Scholarship Services) Scholarship services connecting students with foundations that offer educational financial support. Used by students seeking foundation-funded scholarships.
• Ihale Sorgulama Sistemi (Tender Inquiry System) Procurement inquiry system for viewing and searching tenders related to foundation properties and restoration projects.
• Calinan Kultur Varliklari Veritabani (Stolen Cultural Assets Database) Database of stolen cultural assets for tracking and identification purposes, searchable by city, asset type, and material. Supports cultural heritage protection and anti-trafficking efforts.
• Hayir Hizmetleri - Muhtac Ayligi (Needy Monthly Stipend Program) Monthly financial stipend program for needy Turkish citizens and families administered through the directorate's charitable services division.
• Asevi Hizmeti (Soup Kitchen Service) Soup kitchen (imaret) service providing hot meals to needy populations, continuing the Ottoman tradition of foundation-run food charity.
• Yurt Ici Kuru Gida Yardimlari (Domestic Dry Food Aid) Domestic dry food aid distribution program for needy families within Turkey, organized through the directorate's charitable services.
• Yurt Disi Kuru Gida Yardimlari (Foreign Dry Food Aid) International dry food aid distribution program for needy communities outside Turkey, reflecting the directorate's humanitarian outreach.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 42,000 foundations managed including merged (mazbut) and appended (mulhak) foundations
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Gallup Research CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2015Gallup Research Company conducted the World Giving Index survey across 153 countries on which Turkey's low ranking was discussed. Senior Consultant Andrew Rzepa participated in the panel discussion.
• Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) collaborated with VGM on the World Giving Index Panel held on 9 February 2015 in Ankara. CAF provided methodology expertise on the World Giving Index survey research and participated as keynote speaker (Adam Pickering, International Director) to discuss Turkey's ranking and philanthropic trends.
• Assorestauro (Italian Association of Restoration Contractors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssorestauro partnered with VGM on the Med-Art Training Project and Med-Art II Project for restoration of historical structures. Under this collaboration, Italian experts trained Turkish technical staff on conservation methods. The partnership also produced the International Symposium on Earthquake Risk Management (2017) and the Protection of Cultural Heritage Symposium (2014).
• Koç Üniversitesi (Koç University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKoç University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences (İİBF) Dean Prof. Dr. Ali Çarkoğlu participated as a panelist in the World Giving Index Panel discussing Turkey's philanthropic landscape.
• Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı (Turkey Diyanet Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTürkiye Diyanet Vakfı General Director İsmail Palakoğlu participated as a panelist in the World Giving Index Panel organized by VGM.
• TÜSEV (Third Sector Foundation of Turkey)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTÜSEV representative Sevda Kılıçalp (also affiliated with Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy) participated as a panelist in the World Giving Index Panel discussing civil society and philanthropy in Turkey.
• TEMA Vakfı (TEMA Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEMA Foundation Board Chairman Deniz Ataç participated as a panelist in the World Giving Index Panel focusing on environmental philanthropy and NGO engagement.
• İHH İnsani Yardım Vakfı (IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerİHH Advisory Council Member Yusuf Bilgin participated as a panelist in the World Giving Index Panel discussing humanitarian relief and international philanthropy.
• İstanbul Proje Koordinasyon Birimi (IPCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIstanbul Project Coordination Unit (IPCU) partnered with VGM and Assorestauro as part of the Med-Art Training Project, contributing to restoration works at Sheikh Suleyman Mesjid and the organization of the Protection of Cultural Heritage Symposium.
• İtalyan Ticaret Merkezi (Italian Trade Center - ITA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian Trade Center (ITA) partnered with VGM on the Med-Art Project contributing to the Protection of Cultural Heritage Symposium, providing trade and investment expertise for Italian-Turkish restoration cooperation.
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf Üniversitesi (FSM University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFatih Sultan Mehmet Waqf University was established by VGM and serves as an academic partner in international youth projects and waqf culture education. It hosts KURAM (Foundation Cultural Heritage Conservation Application and Research Center) and provides conference facilities for VGM events.
• Bezmialem Vakıf Üniversitesi (Bezmialem Foundation University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBezmialem Valide Sultan Vakıf University was established by VGM and participates in international youth exchange programs. Its hospital provides healthcare services with a waqf heritage tradition and houses a museum showcasing its historical legacy.
• TİKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTİKA participated as a domestic contributor in the Balkans Ottoman Cultural Properties Workshop (2014), bringing expertise in restoration and cultural heritage cooperation with Balkan countries.
• Gazi Üniversitesi (Gazi University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGazi University participated as a domestic contributor in the Balkans Ottoman Cultural Properties Workshop (2014), providing academic expertise on conservation and restoration.
• Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyesi (Bursa Metropolitan Municipality)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBursa Metropolitan Municipality participated as a domestic contributor in the Balkans Ottoman Cultural Properties Workshop (2014), contributing local government perspective on cultural heritage.
• Zeytinburnu Belediyesi (Zeytinburnu Municipality)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZeytinburnu Municipality contributed to the Protection of Cultural Heritage Symposium organized by VGM and Assorestauro, providing support for the Med-Art Training Project.
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIslamic Development Bank in Jeddah co-organized the International Forum on Quds Waqfs (2017) with VGM and the International Institute of Islamic Waqf Malaysia. The bank manages the Al-Aqsa Fund for Palestinian economic empowerment and waqf development programs.
• International Institute of Islamic Waqf (IIIW) - MalaysiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Institute of Islamic Waqf Malaysia co-organized the International Forum on Quds Waqfs (2017) with VGM and Islamic Development Bank. IIIW also collaborated with VGM on the Turkey and Balkan Countries International Webinar (2021) through Zoom platform.
• UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM, EUROPAN NOSTRAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVGM maintains institutional connections with international cultural heritage organizations including UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM, and EUROPAN NOSTRA, referencing them as useful links and frameworks for cultural property protection.
• Presidency of the Islamic Union of the Republic of KosovocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Presidency of the Islamic Union of the Republic of Kosovo collaborated with VGM on the Dream Discover Endow Youth Project, hosting 16 Kosovo university students and 2 accompanying staff for educational and cultural activities in Istanbul and Bursa between 13-19 June 2022.
• Balkan Country Government InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVGM organized the Balkans Ottoman Cultural Properties Workshop (2014) and multiple Balkan youth projects with government institutions from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Serbia, focusing on restoration and conservation cooperation.

Recent moves6 records

Regional players

• TÜSEV (Third Sector Foundation of Turkey): Turkey's umbrella foundation for civil society and philanthropy research. Comparable as a domestic Turkish peer in the nonprofit ecosystem — TÜSEV focuses on civil society capacity building while VGM regulates foundations, but both operate in the Turkish philanthropic sector and participated in the same World Giving Index Panel.

Others

• UNESCO World Heritage Centre: UN agency that designates and protects World Heritage Sites globally, including Ottoman-era sites in Turkey. VGM maintains institutional connections with UNESCO and references its frameworks; comparable as an enabling/standards body in the cultural heritage ecosystem rather than a direct operator.

Emerging players

• Charities Aid Foundation (CAF): UK-based charity that supports charitable giving globally through donor-advised funds, workplace giving, and research (including the World Giving Index). Comparable as a partner of VGM and a parallel institution focused on enabling and measuring philanthropic activity, though operating as an NGO rather than a state regulator.

Direct peers

• General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Awqaf (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabia's awqaf authority oversees Islamic endowments nationally, including high-value properties linked to the holy sites. Comparable in regulatory scope and focus on waqf-based charitable giving, though at a vastly larger scale tied to pilgrimage economy.
• Indonesian Waqf Board (Badan Wakaf Indonesia): Indonesia's Waqf Board is an independent state agency promoting and managing waqf assets across the world's largest Muslim population. Comparable as a national waqf authority with a mandate to develop endowment assets and increase philanthropic impact, though operating in a non-Arab Muslim context.
• JAWHAR (Department of Waqf, Zakat and Hajj, Malaysia): Malaysian federal department coordinating waqf development across state-level Islamic Religious Councils. Directly comparable as a state-level waqf coordinator with international engagement (VGM partner via International Institute of Islamic Waqf) and similar regulatory mandate over charitable endowments.
• Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Kuwait): Kuwait's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs manages state-administered endowments, supervises charitable foundations, and regulates mosque affairs. Direct functional peer in the Gulf region with similar mandate for waqf stewardship and charitable oversight.
• Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Jordan): Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf administers Islamic endowments (waqfs), manages mosques, and oversees charitable foundations across Jordan. Directly comparable as a state regulator of waqf institutions with similar scope: registration, audit, charity distribution, and cultural/religious property stewardship.
• Ministry of Awqaf (Egypt): Egypt's Ministry of Awqaf is one of the oldest and largest waqf regulators in the Arab world, managing thousands of mosques, charitable endowments, and Islamic heritage properties. Functionally analogous to VGM as the central state authority for waqf management in a major Muslim-majority country.

Broad incumbents

• Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Turkey): Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism oversees national heritage policy, museums, and cultural sites broadly. Comparable as a domestic peer in cultural heritage stewardship, with overlapping mandate on immovable cultural properties though broader scope (all heritage, not just waqf-tied).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/VAKIFLARGM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ba-bakanl-k-vak-flar-genel-m-d-rl-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about T.c. Vakiflar Genel Mudurlugu