Programs
Scholarships, saunas, performances, and more. Check out what we have going on.
The most important independent source of support for
Finland in America
We are honored to announce that the Saving Finland in America campaign has been named the 2024 Finnish Expatriate of the Year by Finland Society (Suomi-Seura)!
This groundbreaking project aimed to rescue and protect our rich Finnish-American history and culture following the closure of Finlandia University. Thanks to the incredible support of over 900 donors—many of you included—we raised $5.5 million to preserve these irreplaceable cultural treasures for future generations.
Anne-Mari Paster, Past President of Finlandia Foundation National, said it best: “Failure was not an option. We knew the Finnish-American legacy was at risk, and it was up to us to save it.” Executive Director Tommy Flanagan echoed this, adding, “It wasn’t a question of if, but how, and it was donors across the country who made this a success.”
This award belongs to all of us, and we couldn’t have achieved it without your belief in our mission. Thank you for keeping our heritage alive!
Stay tuned for details on the award ceremony in Helsinki later this year—let’s celebrate this achievement together!
Announcing our 2025 Artist, Lecturer, and Performer of the Year!
We thank AOY Eric Aho, LOY author Hanna Pylväinen, and POY actor, comedian, musician and filmmaker Miska Kajanus for their incredible work this year.
And we welcome Artist of the Year Väinö Kola, Lecturer of the Year Eero Kilpi, and Performer of the Year Charlotte Loukola. Their work enriches our community and helps bring Finnish-American traditions and ideas to a broader audience. See them at a chapter near you in 2025!
Welcome new Young Leaders Board members!
Sauna Week is coming! February 16 – 22, 2025. Get ready!
Upcoming Finnposium event:
Heritage in Steel: Celebrating Immigrant Workers at Keweenaw National Park
Join us for an inspiring Finnposium featuring artist Kasey Koski and moderated by Phyllis Fredendall, exploring the creative journey behind a site-specific sculpture installation at Keweenaw National Historical Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Rooted in personal connection to the region, the project celebrates the stories of immigrant workers and the park’s heritage.
In collaboration with the Keweenaw National History Park, Kasey will share insights into the design process, from initial sketches and collaboration with local manufacturers to the installation of four striking core-ten steel sculptures.
Celebrate the intersection of art, history, and community in this fascinating behind-the-scenes presentation!
Registration required to get access to the Zoom link. This event is free and open to everyone. There will be opportunity for Q&A.
Stay tuned for registration link!
Recent event:
An Evening with Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Consulate General in Los Angeles, October 26th
We were honored to host the kickoff event for the Finlandia—Esa-Pekka Salonen Music Scholarship, celebrating a monumental year for Maestro Salonen and laying the groundwork for this visionary fund. The evening featured remarkable performances of works by Sibelius and Salonen, brought to life by talented Colburn School musicians who captured the spirit of Finnish music. Guests enjoyed an unforgettable Nordic dining experience by Chef Richard McCormick, along with Kukkula Winery, Kyrö Distillery, and Fazer’s contributions that elevated the evening’s atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who joined and supported this special event! To become a cornerstone sponsor and help foster the next generation of musical innovation, reach out to us at office@finlandiafoundation.org.
Our Mission
Finlandia Foundation National has been fiercely Finnish since 1953; we champion our culture and heritage across the United States by supporting educational opportunities and promoting diverse, relevant and enriching programs.
Saving Finland in America
With the closing in 2023 of Finlandia University, which was founded in 1896 as Suomi College,
FFN stepped in to become the caretaker of the Finnish American Heritage Center
and its extensive archives and artifacts, the monthly Finnish American Reporter,
the Finnish American Folk School, the Art Gallery, Price of Freedom Museum and North Wind Books store.
Click here to learn more about this project.
What’s New
Get Involved
When you join Finlandia Foundation National, you become a part of the largest Finnish-American network in the United States.
Program Updates
Finnposium
Finlandia Foundation National is excited to bring you Finnposium, a variety of online chats, webinars, musical and other presentations related to Finland and Finnish culture in the United States.
National Sauna Week
Sauna is the most known Finnish word in the U.S., within and outside of the Finnish-American communities. Finlandia Foundation National has declared the last week in February “National Sauna Week” to build awareness and appreciation of this aspect of Finnish and Finnish-American culture.
