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Erdoğan-linked TURKEN Foundation’s US assets surpass $117 million
10.02.2026
By Turkish Minute
Source:https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/02/10/erdogan-linked-turken-foundations-us-assets-surpass-117-million/
The TURKEN Foundation, a US-based nonprofit jointly established by two Turkish charities closely linked to the family of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reported total assets exceeding $117 million and more than $50 million in spending in 2025, including a luxury 21-story tower near UN headquarters in Manhattan, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Tuesday.
The foundation’s declared assets in US tax filings have grown rapidly, rising from $24 million at its founding in 2014 to $99,212,722 in its 2024 tax filing and $117,368,470 in 2025.
TURKEN Foundation Inc. reported $50,199,355 in spending in 2025 under Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) disclosures with the US Department of Justice. Of that amount, $26,299,712 was channeled through the Ensar Foundation and $23,899,643 through the Youth and Education Service Foundation of Turkey (TÜRGEV), the two Turkish charities that co-founded TURKEN in 2014.
TÜRGEV is widely regarded in Turkey as part of the Erdoğan family network. Several of the president’s relatives have served on its board, leading opposition politicians and analysts to describe TURKEN as the family’s US-based extension. Ensar is a charity that runs joint service projects with public institutions including municipalities and universities, according to its own filings with the Justice Department.
Influence spending surges
The financial disclosures come amid scrutiny of TURKEN’s influence-related activities in the United States. Data compiled by the US watchdog OpenSecrets from FARA filings show TURKEN’s reported expenditures rose from $10.7 million in 2023 to $18.4 million in 2024 before jumping to $48.2 million in 2025, Deutsche Welle’s Turkish edition reported in November.
The combined spending of TÜRGEV and Ensar channeled through TURKEN reached about $77.5 million between 2023 and 2025, according to OpenSecrets data.
Manhattan tower largely complete
Among TURKEN’s most visible assets is a 21-story luxury tower in Manhattan, just blocks from United Nations headquarters. The foundation purchased an older building on the site in 2018 and began converting it into what it calls a student dormitory.
Cumhuriyet described the tower as largely completed and comparable to a seven-star hotel. The ground and first floors will house retail shops and restaurants for commercial use. The tower’s 82 apartments will feature fully equipped kitchens, free high-speed internet and cable television, with monthly rents ranging from $1,300 to $3,000. The 15th, 17th and 21st floors are reportedly reserved for VIP guests. The foundation reported paying $53,322 in property taxes for 2024.
Justice Department filings raise questions
The US Justice Department requires reporting on the political activities of both Ensar and TÜRGEV. In filings submitted to the department, the foundations describe their work as contributing to Turkey’s scientific, social and economic development and running public benefit projects.
A section of the filing asking whether the organization is controlled, financed or supervised by a foreign government, foreign political party or other foreign principal was marked “No,” Cumhuriyet reported.
TURKEN is incorporated in Delaware and maintains offices in New York and Pennsylvania.
Mystery surrounds Muhammad Ali farm
The foundation also owns an 81-acre farm in Michigan, purchased from the family of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali for $2.5 million. The purpose of the remote property remains unclear. Whether it serves as a retreat, an educational facility or something else is unknown, and TURKEN has not publicly disclosed its use. The foundation pays $30,467 in annual taxes on the property, according to Cumhuriyet.
Yunus Emre Foundation settles near White House
TURKEN is not the only Turkish foundation acquiring high-value real estate in the US capital. The Yunus Emre Foundation, which operates under Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and is incorporated in the United States as the Yunus Emre Foundation Inc., owns a luxury apartment in a prime building on a street frequented by lobbyists, two blocks from the White House. The property was purchased for $5.3 million as office space. Founded in 2007, the organization describes itself as a public foundation promoting Turkey, the Turkish language, history, culture and arts.
Transparency concerns persist
TURKEN’s donors are not publicly detailed in recent filings, a fact that has drawn attention from US media. Despite the surge in spending, none of the three foundations, TURKEN, TÜRGEV or Ensar, responded to questions from Deutsche Welle about why expenditures increased so sharply or what activities the 2025 spending covered.
Critics and opposition figures say the foundations function as pipelines connecting pro-government networks to education, housing, scholarships and employment. Leaked documents and previous reporting about affiliated organizations have fueled criticism that they operate as patronage mechanisms, including claims that internal lists were used to support the placement of members in state institutions.
10.02.2026
By Turkish Minute
Source:https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/02/10/erdogan-
The TURKEN Foundation, a US-
The foundation’s declared assets in US tax filings have grown rapidly, rising from $24 million at its founding in 2014 to $99,212,722 in its 2024 tax filing and $117,368,470 in 2025.
TURKEN Foundation Inc. reported $50,199,355 in spending in 2025 under Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) disclosures with the US Department of Justice. Of that amount, $26,299,712 was channeled through the Ensar Foundation and $23,899,643 through the Youth and Education Service Foundation of Turkey (TÜRGEV), the two Turkish charities that co-
TÜRGEV is widely regarded in Turkey as part of the Erdoğan family network. Several of the president’s relatives have served on its board, leading opposition politicians and analysts to describe TURKEN as the family’s US-
Influence spending surges
The financial disclosures come amid scrutiny of TURKEN’s influence-
The combined spending of TÜRGEV and Ensar channeled through TURKEN reached about $77.5 million between 2023 and 2025, according to OpenSecrets data.
Manhattan tower largely complete
Among TURKEN’s most visible assets is a 21-
Cumhuriyet described the tower as largely completed and comparable to a seven-
Justice Department filings raise questions
The US Justice Department requires reporting on the political activities of both Ensar and TÜRGEV. In filings submitted to the department, the foundations describe their work as contributing to Turkey’s scientific, social and economic development and running public benefit projects.
A section of the filing asking whether the organization is controlled, financed or supervised by a foreign government, foreign political party or other foreign principal was marked “No,” Cumhuriyet reported.
TURKEN is incorporated in Delaware and maintains offices in New York and Pennsylvania.
Mystery surrounds Muhammad Ali farm
The foundation also owns an 81-
Yunus Emre Foundation settles near White House
TURKEN is not the only Turkish foundation acquiring high-
Transparency concerns persist
TURKEN’s donors are not publicly detailed in recent filings, a fact that has drawn attention from US media. Despite the surge in spending, none of the three foundations, TURKEN, TÜRGEV or Ensar, responded to questions from Deutsche Welle about why expenditures increased so sharply or what activities the 2025 spending covered.
Critics and opposition figures say the foundations function as pipelines connecting pro-