Finlandia Foundation National
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
is the most important private source of support for Finnish culture in the United States.

Grants

 

Information about applying for Grants

Finlandia Foundation National invites high quality projects on a competitive basis that relate to past, present, or future Finnish and Finnish-American culture and are characterized by many of the following:

  • Receives favorable attention and has a high profile and visibility
  • Experienced by many people
  • Appeals to all Americans, not only ethnic Finns
  • Involves worthy activity for children and young adults to assure an interest in Finnish and Finnish-American culture by future generations
  • Has multiplier or leverage qualities
  • Can be replicated or become a permanent addition to the cultural life of a community
  • Is well planned and implemented by individuals or groups
  • Involves service of volunteers
  • Has a detailed budget, income and expenses
  • Adds to the body of research about Finnish and Finnish-American culture
  • If applicable, include a marketing plan for a project that involves sales of items or event tickets

In recent years Finlandia Foundation National has spent approximately $100,000 per year for a wide range of grants in support of Finnish cultural programs, events, scholarships, and its Performer of the Year program.

Outright grants ranging up to $5,000 are awarded to Finlandia Foundation Chapters, to other Finnish-American organizations, and to accomplished individuals to help fund important not-for-profit cultural projects of local or national significance. Examples of past support include theatre and opera performances, ballet, lectures, concerts, art exhibits, monuments, FinnFest USA, and Salolampi Language Village.

In order to be considered by the Foundation, a project must benefit both the sponsoring group and the general public. Projects supported by documented evidence or testimony of high cultural, educational, artistic or scientific merit are most likely to win awards. Special consideration is given to applications recommended by Finlandia Foundation Chapters or a Foundation Trustee with first-hand knowledge of them. The Foundation will not fund salaries to project staff, employees, or commercial enterprises.

Finlandia Foundation Chapters requiring funding for up-front expenses for a major cultural program or event may also apply for 'seed money.' This type of grant is refundable later in full or in part from the net income of the event, if any.

The deadline for completed applications and required budget information is February 1 annually.

The Grants Coordinator corresponds with applicants and keeps a record of all proposals and their status. Applicants will be notified after the spring annual meeting, and checks will be mailed by May 15. Award letters and checks are forwarded directly to the applicant. Each individual grant recipient or Chapter is requested to submit a progress report by November 30. This report should include a final income and expense statement as well as copies of any press or other public acknowledgments of the Foundation's support for the project.

 
If you feel that your project would be a good candidate for a Finlandia Foundation Grant program, please apply through the through the downloadable grant application.