What Kirkkopalvelut does

Kirkkopalvelut ry is a Finnish registered non-profit association (rekisteröity yhdistys) operating as a multi-disciplinary service and cooperation organization for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. Formed in 2001 through the merger of Suomen Kirkon Sisälähetysseura (founded 1905 by Reverend Otto Aarnisalo) and Suomen Kirkon Seurakuntatoiminnan Keskusliitto, it serves 294 member parishes, 57 member organizations, and 20 study organizations with a headcount of 378 full-time equivalents (2025) and FY2025 operational revenue of €42.6M. Its purpose is to coordinate diaconal aid, education, welfare services, media, and church supplies that member parishes and welfare recipients could not efficiently deliver on their own.

The organization runs four operational lines: STEP-koulutus (Finland's largest educator in early childhood education and social welfare, reaching ~3,500 students annually through STEP-ammattiopisto, STEP-kansanopisto, STEP-opintokeskus, and STEP-seurakunnille); Valona-hyvinvointi (24/7 elderly care in Pieksämäki and children's home Lastenkoti Valona); Yhteinen hyvä (diaconal and charitable initiatives including €8M of EU ESR+ material aid 2023–2027, 125,000 food aid cards worth €5M during 2025–2027, the Ruoka-apu.fi food aid platform, Vapaaehtoistyö.fi volunteer platform, and addiction/Pelituki services); and Sacrum-Kotimaa Oy, a wholly-owned subsidiary housing Kotimaa Media (120-year publishing heritage), the Sacrum e-commerce store for church supplies, and craft manufacturers Kynttiläpaja Juhava (candles since 1943), Ateljé Solemnis (liturgical textiles), and Urkurakentamo Veikko Virtanen (170+ organs since 1954). Revenue streams include parish membership fees (8.26 cents per member annually), tiered organization fees (€167–€803), service and training fees, managed welfare services, church supplies merchandise, EU/Foundation grants, and publishing income. Distribution runs through direct parish channels, educational institutions, welfare locations, and a global e-commerce storefront at sacrum.fi.

The operating model is geographically concentrated in Finland (HQ in Järvenpää; regional hubs in Pieksämäki, Kuopio, Mikkeli, Tampere; training academies in Järvenpää, Lapua, and Ruokolahti) with Tiekirkot reaching nearly 270 churches from Hanko to Utsjoki, including 12 Orthodox sites. Kirkkopalvelut is also the largest shareholder of Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu (Diak), deepening its educational footprint. Leadership includes CEO Ilkka Mattila, CFO Elina Ruha, CIO Jukka Repo, HR Director Reija Hotti, Communications Director Johanna Järventaus, and Sacrum-Kotimaa Oy CEO Kati Kinnunen.

Name

Kirkkopalvelut

Legal name

Kirkkopalvelut ry

Website

https://kirkkopalvelut.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kirkkopalvelut ry is a Finnish non-profit service organization supporting the Evangelical Lutheran Church through education (STEP-koulutus), welfare services (Valona-hyvinvointi), diaconal aid (Yhteinen hyvä), and media/retail (Sacrum-Kotimaa Oy) for 294 member parishes and broader society.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diaconal and Community Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

Keywords

• Vocational education services
• Social welfare services
• Church supplies retail
• Diaconal charity programs
• Folk high school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Uusimaa

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Service and Training Fees: Revenue from STEP-koulutus educational services, member service fees, and professional services provided to member parishes and organizations.
2. Welfare Services: Revenue from Valona-hyvinvointi providing elderly care and child welfare services. Valona vanhuspalvelut offers 24/7 care in Pieksämäki; Lastenkoti Valona provides care for children placed outside home.
3. Church Supplies and Merchandise: Sales through Sacrum e-commerce of Christian books, church supplies, communion bread, church vestments, and candles. Subsidiaries include Kynttiläpaja Juhava (candles since 1943), Ateljé Solemnis (church textiles), and Urkurakentamo Veikko Virtanen (organ building since 1954).
4. EU and Foundation Funding: European Social Fund (ESR+) material aid program distributing 8 million euros in aid 2023-2027. Additional project funding from Finnish foundations for welfare and development initiatives.
5. Media and Publishing: Publishing revenue from Kotimaa Media including Kotimaa and Askel periodicals, and Kotimaa.fi digital platform. 120 years of publishing history.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kirkkopalvelut is a Finnish non-profit association operating a multi-divisional service platform for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. It delivers vocational and adult education through STEP-koulutus, welfare services (elderly care and children's home) through Valona-hyvinvointi, diaconal and charity programs (food aid, volunteer coordination, fundraising) through Yhteinen hyvä, and church supplies retail, publishing, and craft manufacturing (organs, textiles, candles) through its subsidiary Sacrum-Kotimaa Oy. The organization serves 294 member parishes, 57 member organizations, and 20 study organizations, reaching approximately 3,500 students annually and distributing 8 million euros in EU-funded material aid during 2023-2027.

Product overview

Kirkkopalvelut is a multi-disciplinary cooperation and service organization operating as a platform-plus-services model with four main divisions: STEP-koulutus (education), Valona-hyvinvointi (welfare), member services (Yhteinen hyvä), and Sacrum-Kotimaa Oy (media/products). STEP-koulutus encompasses STEP-ammattiopisto (vocational education), STEP-kansanopisto (folk high school), STEP-opintokeskus (study center), and STEP-seurakunnille (parish training). Valona-hyvinvointi provides elderly care (Valona vanhuspalvelut) and children's home services (Lastenkoti Valona). The media and product subsidiary Sacrum-Kotimaa Oy includes Kotimaa Media, Sacrum (church supplies), Urkurakentamo Veikko Virtanen (organs), Ateljé Solemnis (church textiles), and Kynttiläpaja Juhava (candles). Yhteinen hyvä encompasses charitable initiatives including Yhteisvastuu and Kotimaanapu fundraising, Ruoka-apu.fi and Vapaaehtoistyö.fi platforms, development projects (ARTTU, PÄHKÄ), Erityisesti isä support services, and Kohti hyvää elämää substance abuse support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STEP-koulutus: Vocational school, folk high school, and study center offering vocational training, general education, and continuing education. Includes STEP-ammattiopisto, STEP-kansanopisto, STEP-opintokeskus, and STEP-seurakunnille.
• Valona-hyvinvointi
• Yhteisvastuu
• Kotimaanapu
• Ruoka-apu.fi
• Vapaaehtoistyö.fi
• Pelituki
• Kotimaa Media
• Sacrum
• Kynttiläpaja Juhava
• Ateljé Solemnis
• Urkurakentamo Veikko Virtanen
• Tiekirkot
• Kirkkopäivät

Products and services

• STEP-koulutus Comprehensive educational platform offering vocational education (STEP-ammattiopisto), folk high school programs (STEP-kansanopisto), study center courses (STEP-opintokeskus), and parish training (STEP-seurakunnille). Finland's largest educator in early childhood education and social welfare fields, reaching 3,500+ students annually.
• STEP-ammattiopisto Vocational school offering professional basic degrees, specialist vocational qualifications, and further vocational qualifications with flexible study options including online learning and apprenticeships. 503 students graduated during January-May 2026.
• STEP-kansanopisto Folk high school offering diverse courses from short workshops to long-term studies in music, dance, wellness, and creative fields, with locations in Järvenpää, Lapua, and Ruokolahti.
• STEP-opintokeskus National study center providing adult education and training partnerships for member organizations, based on Christian, social-ethical, and diaconal values.
• STEP-seurakunnille Training and development services for parishes and organizations, with experienced experts in parish work, pedagogy, and education.
• Valona-hyvinvointi Welfare services in Pieksämäki offering elderly care and support for children and young people placed outside their homes, based on Christian values with over 20 years of experience.
• Valona vanhuspalvelut Round-the-clock care and housing services for elderly people in Pieksämäki, providing individualized care based on Christian values.
• Lastenkoti Valona Children's home providing safe daily life, caring adults, and individualized support for children placed outside their homes, including special and basic level units.
• Kotimaa Media Media house publishing Kotimaa and Askel magazines and operating Kotimaa.fi web service, producing content about church and society topics.
• Sacrum Online and brick-and-mortar store offering Christian books, church supplies, communion bread, liturgical vestments, and candles for various church work areas, with invoicing and church-specific pricing.
• Urkurakentamo Veikko Virtanen Finland's leading church organ manufacturer and restorer, established 1954, with 170 handcrafted instruments installed across Finland including Turku and Porvoo Cathedrals and Lahti Ristinkirkko.
• Ateljé Solemnis Finnish sewing workshop in Tampere specializing in domestic church textiles and liturgical garments for church workers, creating bespoke vestments, stoles, and albs.
• Kynttiläpaja Juhava Traditional Finnish candle manufacturer since 1943, producing 100% stearin candles in Pieksämäki, known for clean burning and high quality for church use.
• Ruoka-apu.fi National digital platform bringing together food aid seekers, organizers, and donors, providing information about food aid events and communal meals across Finland, with 418 food aid operators and over 1 million food aid visits annually.
• Vapaaehtoistyö.fi National volunteer task platform connecting those seeking volunteer opportunities with organizations offering them, available in both free basic and paid extended versions.
• Pelituki Provides and disseminates information about gambling, digital gaming issues, and harmful internet/social media use, offering training and materials for professionals and families.
• Tiekirkot Network of nearly 270 churches open to travelers across Finland, offering free visits as spiritual rest stops with cultural and historical experiences, including 12 Orthodox churches.
• Kirkkopäivät Biennial festival held in Hämeenlinna 21.-23.5.2027 functioning at the intersection of the Lutheran Church and society, bringing together church leaders, cultural figures, and the public for dialogue.
• Kirkon johtamisforum Annual forum for church leaders and supervisors to network and address current questions and leadership development in a changing environment.
• Erityisesti isä Support services for fathers with harmful substance use or in recovery, and their adult relatives, offering individual meetings, peer groups, and professional support with service points in Kuopio, Mikkeli, Varkaus, and Pieksämäki.
• Kohti hyvää elämää Development team supporting substance abuse professionals and relatives of users in Southern and Northern Savo and Central Finland, providing information and practical tools.
• Aineellinen apu (Material Aid) Material aid distribution program through ESR+ funding providing 40 EUR payment cards for food and basic necessities to people in need via parish diaconal workers; 125,000 cards distributed worth 5 million euros during 1.9.2025-31.8.2027 at K- and S-group grocery stores.
• Ansiomerkit (Service Awards) Merit badges and service awards for church workers with tiered pricing: Golden award (30 years) at 115 EUR, Silver (20 years) at 59 EUR, Bronze (10 years) at 39 EUR, plus special merit and trustee badges.

Quantifiable outcome

• 503 students graduated from STEP-ammattiopisto in spring 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sovatek-säätiöcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSovatek-säätiö collaborates with Kirkkopalvelut and MIELI Kriisikeskus Kuopio to implement Pelituki (Gaming Support), providing nationwide information about gambling, digital gaming issues, and support for problem gaming prevention and treatment.
• MIELI Kriisikeskus KuopiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pelituki (Gaming Support) initiative providing crisis services and support for gambling and digital gaming issues.
• Sacrum-Kotimaa OycoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary of Kirkkopalvelut comprising Kotimaa Media, Sacrum e-commerce, Urkurakentamo Veikko Virtanen, Ateljé Solemnis, and Kynttiläpaja Juhava. Consolidated into organization group structure.
• STEP-opintokeskus (co-organizer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEP-opintokeskus co-organizes Kirkon johtamisforum (Church Leadership Forum) along with Kirkon tutkimus ja koulutus, Kirkon työmarkkinalaitos, AKI-liitot, Kirkon Hallintovirkamiehet ry, and Kirkon alat ry.
• RuokavirastocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish Food Authority partner for EU food aid distribution. Kirkkopalvelut channels 8 million euros in material aid through parishes during 2023-2027 as Ruokavirasto partner.
• Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNatural Resources Institute Finland collaborates on annual food waste terminal surveys and reports, with Ruoka-apu.fi and Kirkkopalvelut producing the 'Food waste terminals year 2025' report.
• Vihreä Keidas rycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVihreä Keidas ry coordinates ARTTU (Arvoa ja Turvaa Elämään) project with Kirkkopalvelut, developing outreach substance abuse services for elderly.
• Kansalaisareena rycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-maintainer of Vapaaehtoistyö.fi platform with Kirkkopalvelut, providing national volunteer task matching service.
• Etelä-Savon hyvinvointialuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPÄHKÄ-hanke operates in South Savo and North Savo welfare areas, coordinated with regional health and social services.
• Pohjois-Savon hyvinvointialuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPÄHKÄ-hanke operates in North Savo and South Savo welfare areas, coordinated with regional health and social services.
• PäivytinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Yhdessä parempi substance abuse work seminar in Jyväskylä with Päihdepalvelusäätiö, Sovatek-säätiö, and Kirkkopalvelut.
• PäihdepalvelusäätiöminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Yhdessä parempi substance abuse work seminar in Jyväskylä.
• Tampereen yliopistominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity experts participate in Naisten päihde- ja vankilatyönpäivä webinaari on women's substance abuse and prison work.
• PeluuriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert organization providing gambling support, participates in women's substance abuse webinaari.
• RikosuhripäivystysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVictim Support Finland contributes expertise to women's substance abuse and criminal justice webinaari.
• Kehittämiskeskus TyyneläcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment center Tyynelä (now Riippuvuustyön kehittämisyksikkö) is long-term partner in multiple addiction development projects including Seniori, Valma, PELISSÄ, and KiipIt.
• Kriminaalihuollon tukisäätiöminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCriminal sanctions client support foundation coordinated JYVÄLLÄ project on rehabilitation for offenders' family members.
• Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu (Diak)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKirkkopalvelut is the largest owner of Diak University of Applied Sciences, which provides church-related professional education.
• Finnish Churches (Member Parishes Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor294 member parishes and 57 member organizations including AKI-liitot, Diakoniatyöntekijöiden Liitto DTL, Församlingsförbundet, and many others distribute services nationwide.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Folkhälsan: Folkhälsan is a large Swedish-speaking Finnish non-profit providing health, welfare, and education services across Finland. Highly comparable to Kirkkopalvelut as a multi-service social/health/education non-profit operating nationwide in Finland, though serving a Swedish-speaking demographic.
• Caritas Finland: Caritas Finland is the Catholic Church's social welfare organization in Finland, providing material aid, refugee support, and development cooperation. Closely comparable to Kirkkopalvelut as a faith-based welfare non-profit with material aid distribution and member parish network.
• Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL): MLL is a Finnish non-profit focused on child welfare, family support, and children's rights advocacy. Comparable to Kirkkopalvelut's Lastenkoti Valona and child welfare services, with similar member-based structure and national footprint.
• Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu (Diak): Diak is the Finnish university of applied sciences focused on social services, health, and church professions, of which Kirkkopalvelut is the largest owner. Highly comparable as it operates in the same education and social services space with overlapping curriculum and student base.
• Save the Children Finland (Pelastakaa Lapset): Save the Children Finland operates child welfare, family support, and child rights advocacy programs nationwide. Comparable to Kirkkopalvelut's Valona-hyvinvointi and Lastenkoti Valona services, operating as a mission-driven non-profit serving vulnerable children and families.

Regional players

• HelsinkiMissio: HelsinkiMissio is a Helsinki-based non-profit providing social services to vulnerable populations including the elderly, homeless, and those facing mental health challenges. Comparable welfare services mission and church-affiliated origins, though primarily regional rather than national.
• Finlands YWCA (NKU): Finlands YWCA is a Finnish non-profit providing accommodation services, youth work, and community programs with Christian values foundation. Comparable faith-based Finnish non-profit model with member organization structure and welfare service provision.

Emerging players

• Sininauhalitiito: Sininauhalitiito is a Finnish umbrella organization for welfare NGOs coordinating substance abuse, mental health, and social rehabilitation services. Comparable as a Finnish non-profit welfare coalition with member organizations and government funding partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Kansanlähetys): Kansanlähetys is a Finnish Lutheran mission organization providing domestic diaconal work, international mission, and media services. Comparable as a faith-based Finnish organization with welfare services, media operations, and Lutheran parish network ties.
• Finnish Red Cross (SPR): The Finnish Red Cross is Finland's largest humanitarian non-profit, operating welfare, refugee support, blood services, and emergency aid nationwide. Comparable as a large multi-service Finnish non-profit with distributed volunteer network and government/funding partnerships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInfi.linkedin.com/company/kirkkopalvelut-ry
• Xx.com/kirkkopalvelut1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Kirkkopalvelut