Finlandia Kerhotalo Fund
Honoring a Legacy. Investing in the Future of Finnish America.
A historic act of generosity by Florida’s Finnish-American community has created new opportunities to preserve, celebrate, and strengthen Finnish-American culture for generations to come.
For nearly 80 years, the American Finnish Club of Lake Worth, Florida—affectionately known as Kerhotalo (“clubhouse”)—was a cherished gathering place for Finnish Americans and visitors from Finland. Founded in 1944, the club brought generations together through dances, celebrations, and cultural traditions, becoming a cornerstone of Finnish-American life in South Florida.
When the Kerhotalo building was sold in 2023, its members made an extraordinary decision: to contribute $1 million to Finlandia Foundation National’s Saving Finland in America campaign.
This historic gift, remarkable in its size and significance, helped FFN reach its $3 million fundraising goal to save the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, Michigan, and safeguard its irreplaceable collections of Finnish-American history and culture.
The campaign’s success also made possible something equally meaningful: a special fund to carry Kerhotalo’s legacy forward.
A New Opportunity for Florida-Related Projects
For the first time, applicants can apply directly to the Finlandia Kerhotalo Fund!
Are you planning a Finnish cultural event, educational program, heritage preservation initiative, community gathering, or another project that celebrates Finnish-American life in Florida?
Are you a student with Florida connections who is continuing your university studies?
Are you a member of the community who is studying in Florida or conducing a project in Florida?
We especially encourage individuals and organizations with Florida-related projects to apply.
Whether preserving traditions or creating new ways to connect people with Finnish culture, your project could become part of Kerhotalo’s enduring legacy.
The 2027 application period opens October 15, 2026.
Thank you for your interest in our grants program. Each year, Finlandia Foundation National awards funds to projects related to Finnish-American and Finnish history, heritage, preservation, arts, culture and more.
The deadline to apply for a grant from FFN will be January 17, 2027.
The information provided here is for informational purposes only; there may be changes to the process in the next round.
Application Process
The grant application must be submitted with required support documents by 11:59 P.M. PST on January 17, 2027.
- Grant recipients must agree to deliver a progress report at six months and a final report within one year of the grant being awarded.
- Unused funds must be returned.
- FFN does not support institutional overhead or other administrative fees.
Requirements and Criteria
Grant proposal must relate to a project occurring between May 1 of the grant year and April 30 of the following year.
Grant proposal should be supported by a chapter of FFN.
Grant application must not exceed 10 pages. Any application exceeding that maximum will be disqualified.
Required Documents
Do not send physical multimedia (DVDs, CDs, etc.), books, tapes, or other material.
- Preserve, celebrate, or strengthen Finnish and Finnish-American culture, particularly through meaningful connections to Florida.
- Reach a broad audience and welcome participation beyond the Finnish-American community.
- Engage children and young adults, helping future generations connect with Finnish heritage.
- Bring people together through cultural events, education, arts, or community activities.
- Build partnerships, involve volunteers, and make effective use of available resources.
- Create lasting benefits or offer a model that other communities can adapt.
- Present clear goals, a realistic timeline, and a practical plan for implementation.
- Include a detailed budget showing anticipated income, expenses, and other funding sources.
- Preserve historical materials or contribute to research on Finnish and Finnish-American life, including Florida’s community history.
- Include an appropriate outreach or marketing plan, especially when selling products or event tickets.
- If applicable, includes a marketing plan for a project that involves sales of items or event tickets
Finlandia Foundation National
Our Mission
As the premier Finnish-American cultural organization, Finlandia Foundation National champions a vibrant Finnish-American heritage and legacy, and builds bridges between modern Finland and the United States, enabling people of all backgrounds to share in the traditions, values, and spirit of Finland and Finnish America.