Finnish Cultural Foundation

Suomen Kulttuurirahasto was established in 1939, and since then more than 800,000 donors have contributed to the capital of the foundation. The foundation consists of the Central Fund, established in 1939, and the 17 Regional Funds, set up in the 1950s and 1960s. Together they form an umbrella organisation of over 700 separate funds, each carrying the name of their donors and promoting the areas stipulated by them.

Mission

The purpose of the Finnish Cultural Foundation is to “promote and develop cultural and economic life” in Finland. In line with this, the Foundation provides grants to individuals and groups working in the sciences and the arts, and to people and organisations in other fields of intellectual and cultural endeavour.

Geographic Focus

Finland and international

Programme Areas

The foundation provides grants to individuals and groups working in the sciences and the arts, and to people and organisations in other fields of intellectual and cultural endeavour. The Foundation also supports larger projects through substantial grants.

In addition to providing grants, the Foundation also arranges courses, lectures, and other events in the arts, sciences, and other fields, and maintains an art collection. The Foundation’s most important international event is the Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition, which is held every five years.

While the Central Fund operates nationally, the Foundation’s 17 regional funds concentrate on promoting and developing the arts, the sciences, and other fields of endeavour at the regional level through annual grants and awards.