Development of the Foundation System From Ottoman to Today

Abstract

The foundations built with the help of those in need within the society, the increase of social solidarity, the economic prosperity and the effect of the distribution of voluntary wealth have always been the subject of continuity of the foundation culture even though it is decreasing in importance from the past. In the past, the foundation system, which has found an important response especially in the Islamic world, is the most brilliant period with the Ottoman Empire. Undoubtedly, in this bright period, almost all of the expenditures made within the understanding of today's social state are seen to be received by foundations. In addition, the money foundations established to meet the needs of non-financial foundations (hospitals, educational institutions, mosques, madrasa, etc.) and the salaries of the employees show that the economic needs of the Ottoman Empire are volunteered and state treasury is not used for these needs. So much so that it seems that although the operation of the foundation system has been disrupted in the period, foundation incomes and deficits have been financed to close treasury deficits. The purpose of this study is to examine the development of foundations from Ottoman to today and to compare the functioning of the foundation system in the Ottoman period with the post-republic period. As a result, in the light of all the evaluations, it is seen that the foundations of the Ottoman period were successful in many areas.