Eren and Fatih Ozmen: Donor Grants

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), Ozmen Ventures

FUNDING AREAS: Education, Entrepreneurship, Community, TBD

OVERVIEW: In 2014, Eren and Fatih Ozmen created the Ozmen Foundation, a charitable nonprofit dedicated to helping humanity make the world a better place, caring for people and paying it forward to future generations. Areas of focus include: “Pay It Forward, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Community.” Grantmaking has been opaque thus far, with no public 990s available. The couple have a donor advised fund at Turkish Philanthropy Funds.

BACKGROUND: Born in Turkey, Eren Ozmen came to the U.S. and attended University of Nevada, Reno, where she received her M.B.A. She joined Sierra Nevada Corporation in 1988, acquiring the company with her husband in 1994. Ozmen is the president and majority owner of the private aerospace and defense company.

Born and raised in Turkey, Fatih Ozmen graduated with an M.S. in electrical engineering Electrical from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is CEO and co-owns private defense and aerospace company Sierra Nevada Corp.

ISSUES:

EDUCATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP: The couple created the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship at their alma mater University of Nevada, Reno with a $5 million gift. They’ve also supported National 4-H Council, the largest youth development program in the United States.

LOOKING FORWARD: Perhaps family philanthropy will be more public in the coming years. This is a billionaire couple to watch for greater giving down the line. Ozmens’ two kids should also be watched, including Eda Ozmen, whose interests include mental health and education. She’s a board member of Bent on Learning, which brings yoga into classrooms.

LINK: Ozmen Ventures