What Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen does

Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen is a Norwegian voluntary humanitarian non-profit organization founded in 1910 that focuses on combating dementia and cardiovascular diseases. The organization serves individuals affected by dementia and heart disease, their families, Norwegian municipalities, schools, and the broader Norwegian public. It operates a portfolio of direct support services including two national nurse-staffed helplines (Demenslinjen for dementia and Hjertelinjen for cardiovascular health), a volunteer companionship program (Aktivitetsvenn) deployed across approximately 140 municipalities with around 2,400 trained activity companions, and a suite of community engagement programs under the "Med oss" brand (Gå med oss, Syng med oss, Les med oss, Lek med oss, Strikk med oss, Spis med oss).

The organization funds and operates research initiatives in dementia and heart disease, anchored by Nasjonalforeningens demensforskningssenter (NDS) — a dedicated dementia research center established in 2025 in collaboration with NTNU and St. Olav University Hospital at the Kavli Institute for Neuroscience. Funded research includes an AI-powered EKG interpretation project trained on 250,000 digital ECGs from Akershus University Hospital for rapid heart-attack classification in ambulances, mitochondrial transfer research for heart-tissue repair, and Alzheimer's disease origin research. Since 2002, the organization has contributed over 342 million NOK to dementia research.

The organization is financed primarily through donations, gifts, membership fees (with Hjerte og hjerne magazine at 275 NOK/year for non-members), annual fundraising campaigns (Demensaksjonen, Folkehelseuka), merchandise sales through its online shop, and grants channeled to local chapters (2,500 NOK start-up grants for new Med oss activities). It operates a decentralized network of 175+ local health and dementia associations (helselag and demensforeninger), a learning portal for volunteers (Læringsportalen), and a local chapter resource platform (Lokallagsnett). Annual flagship events include Demensaksjonen in September (around World Alzheimer's Day), Folkehelseuka in May, and Hopp for hjertet — a 21-year-running school jump-rope competition reaching 95,000 students across 1,200 primary schools.

Name

Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen

Legal name

Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen

Website

https://nasjonalforeningen.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen is a Norwegian voluntary humanitarian non-profit founded in 1910 that combats dementia and cardiovascular diseases through research funding, two national helplines, a volunteer companionship program, community-based activities, and partnerships with 175+ local associations, 140 municipalities, and 1,200 schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Health Organization

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Caregiver Support, Coaching & Training (HLADALAG)

Keywords

• Health charity services
• Dementia research funding
• Cardiovascular health programs
• Volunteer health support
• Community health promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and gifts: Primary funding source from public donations and gifts to support heart and dementia research. Vipps number 2216 available for donations. Funding collected through various campaigns.
2. Membership fees: Revenue from members who join the organization. Members receive Hjerte og hjerne magazine (3 issues annually). Others can subscribe for 275 NOK/year.
3. Demensaksjonen fundraising: Annual dementia action campaign in September around World Alzheimer's Day with collections throughout Norway. Funds raised are distributed to dementia research and local dementia activities.
4. Sales through online shop: Sale of merchandise, books, brochures, profiling articles, and activity materials through the organization's online store (butikk.nasjonalforeningen.no).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen is a voluntary humanitarian organization that delivers direct citizen support through national nurse-staffed helplines (Demenslinjen for dementia and Hjertelinjen for cardiovascular health), funds and conducts dementia and cardiovascular research (including operating the NDS dementia research center at NTNU), runs community health activities under the Med oss brand (walking, reading, singing, knitting, eating, playing groups) plus the Aktivitetsvenn volunteer companion program, and executes annual campaigns including Demensaksjonen, Folkehelseuka, and Hopp for hjertet.

Product overview

Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen is a voluntary humanitarian organization operating a portfolio of health support services, community programs, and research funding initiatives. Core services include two national helplines (Demenslinjen and Hjertelinjen) staffed by nurses. The organization coordinates extensive community programs under the 'Med oss' (With Us) brand including Gå med oss, Strikk med oss, Spis med oss, Syng med oss, Lek med oss, and Les med oss. It operates Aktivitetsvenn, a volunteer companion service for people with dementia with nearly 2,400 volunteers across 140 municipalities. Annual campaigns include Demensaksjonen (September), Folkehelseuka (May), and Hopp for hjertet (jump rope competition for schools). The organization funds dementia and heart research, including operating Nasjonalforeningens demensforskningssenter (NDS) at Kavli Institute NTNU. Digital platforms include Lokallagsnett for local chapters and Læringsportalen for volunteer education. The organization also publishes Hjerte og hjerne magazine tri-annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hopp for hjertet: A nationwide jump rope competition for primary school grades 4-7, promoting physical activity among children.
• Demensaksjonen
• Med oss-aktiviteter
• Hjerte og hjerne
• Aktivitetsvenn
• Nasjonalforeningens demensforskningssenter (NDS)

Products and services

• Demenslinjen (Dementia Line) National helpline staffed by experienced nurses providing information and support for people with dementia and their families, available Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00. Free of charge to Norwegian callers.
• Hjertelinjen (Heart Line) National helpline providing information and support related to heart and cardiovascular health for the Norwegian public. Free of charge.
• Aktivitetsvenn (Activity Friend) Volunteer program connecting approximately 2,400 trained volunteers with people with dementia for shared activities such as walks, café visits, and companionship. Operates in nearly 140 Norwegian municipalities.
• Hopp for hjertet Nationwide annual jump rope competition for primary school grades 4-7 (ages 9-13) promoting physical activity. Reached 95,000 students from 1,200 schools in 2026 (21st annual edition).
• Demensaksjonen (Dementia Action) Annual national fundraising campaign held each September around World Alzheimer's Day on September 21, featuring collection efforts, digital fundraising, and media outreach for dementia research and local dementia activities.
• Folkehelseuka (Public Health Week) Annual public health week held in May, creating local meeting places that promote community, mastery, and joy through activities and gatherings across Norway.
• Med oss-aktiviteter (With Us Activities) Suite of community programs including Gå med oss (walking), Strikk med oss (knitting), Spis med oss (eating), Syng med oss (singing), Lek med oss (playing), Les med oss (reading), and Gåfotball for personer med demens, organized through local chapters.
• Demensforskning (Dementia Research) Research funding program financing Norway's leading research environments on risk factors, causes, prevention, diagnostic methods, and effective treatment of dementia. Over 342 million NOK contributed since 2002.
• Hjerteforskning (Heart Research) Research funding program supporting research on cardiovascular diseases and heart health in Norway.
• Nasjonalforeningens demensforskningssenter (NDS) Dementia research center established in collaboration with NTNU and St. Olav University Hospital at the Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, bridging Nobel laureates' foundational brain research to Alzheimer's disease research in Norway.
• Læringsportalen (Learning Portal) Online learning platform providing courses for local chapter leaders and volunteers of the organization.
• Pårørendeskole og samtalegrupper (Carer Schools and Support Groups) Educational programs and conversation groups for family carers of people with dementia, providing information, knowledge, and peer support.
• Demensvennlig med oss (Dementia-Friendly with Us) Initiative to create dementia-friendly communities by increasing knowledge and understanding, offering free course materials, newsletters, and annual webinars for municipalities.
• Hjerte og hjerne (Heart and Brain Magazine) Member magazine published three times annually covering health information, research, and organizational news. Free to members; non-members can subscribe for 275 NOK per year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 342 million NOK in dementia research funding since 2002
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Kavli Institute for Neuroscience at NTNU to establish Nasjonalforeningens demensforskningssenter (NDS), bridging Nobel Prize winners Edvard Moser and May-Britt Moser's foundational brain research to breakthrough Alzheimer's disease research.
• St. Olav University Hospital (Trondheim)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with NTNU and St. Olav hospital in establishing the Nasjonalforeningens demensforskningssenter for Alzheimer's disease research.
• Norwegian municipalitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNearly 140 municipalities partner with the organization to operate Aktivitetsvenn volunteer companionship program for people with dementia, and to implement dementia-friendly community initiatives.
• Municipal dementia coordinators and teamsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal municipality dementia coordinators and teams collaborate on caregiver schools, conversation groups, and support services for people with dementia.
• Frivilligsentraler (Volunteer centers)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal volunteer centers partner with the organization for Aktivitetsvenn program implementation and coordination.
• Cappelen Damm and SamlagetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBook publishers providing book packages for Les med oss reading activity program - Cappelen Damm (8 books for 1,700 NOK) and Samlaget (8 books in nynorsk for 750 NOK).
• GjensidigeminorOthersInsurance company providing coverage for volunteers, members, and participants in organization activities. Insurance covers accidents and death with different amounts based on age (up to 300,000 NOK for under 70).
• Primary schools across NorwaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor1,200 primary schools participate in Hopp for hjertet jump rope competition for physical activity promotion among 4th-7th grade students.
• Libraries across NorwayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibraries partner with the organization for Demensaksjonen (dementia action) awareness campaigns and Les med oss reading activities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alzheimer's Association (US): Largest US voluntary health organization focused on Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Comparable mission, fundraising, and 24/7 helpline model to Nasjonalforeningen's dementia activities.
• Alzheimer's Research UK: UK charity that funds dementia research, raises public donations, and runs awareness campaigns. Directly comparable to Nasjonalforeningen's dementia research funding and Demensaksjonen campaigns, though UK-focused.
• British Heart Foundation: UK charity funding cardiovascular research and running community heart-health programs. Closely comparable to Nasjonalforeningen's Hjertelinjen and Hjerteforskning programs, though at much larger scale.
• Kreftforeningen (Norwegian Cancer Society): Norwegian voluntary health organization funding cancer research and running public campaigns. Closest domestic peer by structure, scale, and member-based nonprofit model.
• Alzheimer's Society (UK): UK dementia charity providing helplines, peer support, and information services. Directly comparable to Nasjonalforeningen's Demenslinjen hotline and caregiver support model.

Broad incumbents

• American Heart Association: Large US voluntary health organization funding cardiovascular research and running nationwide prevention campaigns. Overlapping mission with Nasjonalforeningen's heart-health half, at much larger scale.
• Røde Kors (Norwegian Red Cross): Major Norwegian humanitarian nonprofit with broad health and social support mandate. Comparable membership-based volunteer mobilization and nationwide footprint, though with wider humanitarian scope.

Regional players

• Hjerteforeningen (Danish Heart Association): Danish voluntary health organization focused on cardiovascular disease research and prevention. Similar mission and member-based structure to Nasjonalforeningen's heart programs; operates in Denmark rather than Norway.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Nasjonalforeningen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nasjonalforeningen-for-folkehelsen
• Instagraminstagram.com/nasjonalforeningen
• Xx.com/Nf_folkehelsen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen