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Saving Finland in America named the 2024 Finnish Expatriate of the Year by Finland Society

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!

Text: Since its founding in 1953, Finlandia Foundation has been the primary, independent source of support for Finnish America and Finland in the U.S. FFN continues to serve, promote and connect the Finnish-American community through its cultural programs, grants, scholarships and networking among its chapters. And now, Finlandia Foundation National is the caretaker of the largest collection of Finnish-American cultural assets, including the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, Michigan. Your contribution to Finlandia Foundation National, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, will help to ensure a sound future for the traditions and heritage we honor; connections with contemporary Finland; and initiatives to encourage younger generations to learn about Finland today, as well as Finnish and Finnish-American culture and history.