Foundations do important work for the general good

Finnish foundations grant more than half a billion euro in funding to science, art and civil society projects each year. In October, the European Day of Foundations and Donors will be held as a reminder of the valuable work being carried out by foundations and their significant role in society.

Published 2.10.2023

The European Day of Foundations and Donors will be celebrated throughout Europe on 1 October. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to the valuable work of foundations and their significant social impact.

Finnish foundations grant more than half a billion euro in funding to science, art and civil society projects each year. These grants fill the gap in public funding, which is particularly an issue for medical research: in 2022, foundations provided medical and health sciences with funding totalling EUR 99 million, covering about one third of the industry’s research expenditure.

The world needs research-based information. To this end, the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation also awards grants annually to research in medical science and related fields, environmental research as well as research that advances biodiversity and environmental protection. During its years of operation, the Foundation has awarded a total of EUR 3.3 million in grants and donated EUR 1 million to Finnish vaccine research.

Four years of foundation work

In October, the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation will celebrate another significant milestone; namely the fourth anniversary of the Foundation. Sakari Alhopuro, Doctor of Medical Science and bearer of the Finnish honorary title of Lääkintöneuvos, wanted to contribute to safeguarding the future of high-quality teaching and research through a foundation bearing his name.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has particularly focused on supporting early career researchers, since Alhopuro recognises that they possess the latest data and an enormous amount of drive. Grants are awarded to postdoc applicants, commendable researchers and high-level research projects.

Prior to establishing the Foundation, Sakari Alhopuro had already donated a total of approximately EUR 4.8 million to science and education. Alhopuro has always been motivated by a desire to provide help.

‘What is the purpose of life? As a doctor, I have often considered that the purpose of life is found in helping others’, stated Sakari Alhopuro when he established his foundation.

Read the story behind the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation

Foundations granted more than half a billion euro in funding to science, art and civil society projects

In 2022, Finnish foundations granted EUR 516 million in funding to science, art and civil society projects.
In 2022, Sakari Alhopuro Foundation awarded nearly 900,000 euro to a total of 18 researchers.
Finnish foundations have supported science and research with a total of more than EUR 5,5 billion since Finland's independence.
During its four-year history, Sakari Alhopuro Foundation has supported scientists with EUR 4.3 million.
The Association of Finnish Foundations monitors and defends the interests of its 227 members, and serves as a trainer and expert, information provider and discussion forum, supporter and publisher of research.
The amout of registered foundations in Finland is c. 2,700.