Classroom scene

Our Legacy

Advancing opportunity through civic education

The Sivar Family Foundation is a private, independent grant-making organization dedicated to advancing opportunity through civic education. We identify, support, and seed innovative programs that uplift economically and socially disadvantaged communities, including but not limited to refugees and immigrants. Our mission is to open pathways of mutual learning, spark innovation in civic engagement, and help every individual reach their full human potential.

About

Member Biography

Yildirim M. Sivar

Yildirim “Alex” Sivar (b. 1954)

Turkish American social entrepreneur and businessman in Jacksonville, Florida, noted for community engagement and consulting.

  • Professional: CEO of HOTEL RESOURCES LLC; leadership roles at Global Business Educational Consultants Group Inc. and Sivar Hospitality Consultants Inc.
  • Education: B.A. in English, University of Istanbul (1975, Dept. of Defense Scholarship); MBA, NYU (1979); former Student Union President; featured in Who’s Who among students in American Universities and Colleges (1979).
  • Community: Appointed to Jacksonville’s Public Service Grant Council; Shalom Hartman Institute Muslim Leadership Initiative fellow; former senior adviser to Turkey’s Minister of Tourism and Culture; past outreach director, Atlantic Institute of Jacksonville. Current chair of Interfaith Jax.
  • Notable: Lived through the 2016 attempted coup in Turkey; married to Firsty Santi Sivar (Indonesia); five children from previous marriages.

Dr. Nedim Sivar

Dr. Nedim Sivar (1923–2005)

Born in Malatya, Turkey; first in the family to complete high school before pursuing higher education and public service.

  • Education: Ankara University Veterinary School; graduated in 1950. In 1962 he attended Istanbul University Medical School and later completed medical school.
  • Service: Served as a doctor in Turkey's armed forces. Retired in 1978. Dr. Sivar spoke French, Turkish and English.
  • Legacy: Pioneer in the family’s pursuit of higher education and professional advancement.

Sivar Family History

Timeline

Dr. Nedim Sivar

1923 - 2005

Perihan Isik

1931 - 1995

Yildirim Sivar

1954

Cengiz Sivar

1954

Firsty Santi Sivar

1973

Children of Yildirim Sivar

Tanem Gul Sivar

1980

She holds a B.A. in communications from San Diego State University.

Birsin Jasmine Sivar

1982

She holds a M.S. in Engineering from the University of California Berkeley.

John Peter Sivar

1989

He holds a B.A in social sciences from the University of North Florida

Shelby Aylin Sivar

1994

Amanah Sakina Sivar

2014