Saastamoinen Foundation

What Saastamoinen Foundation does

Saastamoinen Foundation (legal name: Saastamoisen säätiö sr) is a private Finnish family foundation (perhesäätiö) established in 1968 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. The foundation supports art, science, research, education, and youth social initiatives across Finland and internationally. Its core programs include an endowment-backed grant programme (Apurahat) for artists, researchers, and youth organisations; an art collection (Taidekokoelma) of nearly 3,000 Finnish and international contemporary works permanently displayed at EMMA (Espoo Museum of Modern Art), where the foundation is a founding member; international residency programmes at ISCP New York, Jan van Eyck Academie, LIFT Toronto, Rijksakademie Amsterdam, Cove Park and Scottish Sculpture Workshop; and society/youth programmes such as Gutsy Go, RARE DOCS, Yrityskylä, Taimiteko (with 4H Finland), and a long-standing partnership with Kuopio Lifeboat Association.

The foundation operates under a non-profit model funded by endowment investment returns rather than commercial revenue. It makes large anchor donations (EUR 1.5M to Aalto University in 2025, EUR 1M for a visual arts residency programme in 2024, EUR 500K to Uniarts Helsinki in 2022) and co-funds programmes such as the Business of Culture leadership initiative with Aalto EE and the EUR 100,000 Skolar Award at Slush. Governance is led by Chairman of the Board Petteri Karttunen, with a small staff (1-10 employees). Its customers are effectively grantees and partner institutions: artists, researchers, Finnish universities (Aalto, University of Eastern Finland, University of the Arts Helsinki), museums (EMMA, AD-museo, Kiasma), arts organisations (ANTI Festival, PUBLICS, Drifts Festival), and youth-focused programmes (4H Finland, JA Finland, RARE Media). Pricing, headcount-based GTM, and product commercialisation are not applicable.

Name

Saastamoinen Foundation

Legal name

Saastamoisen säätiö sr

Website

https://saastamoinenfoundation.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Saastamoinen Foundation is a Finnish family foundation established in 1968 that distributes endowment-backed grants and operates a 3,000-work contemporary art collection at EMMA museum, serving artists, researchers, Finnish universities, and youth organisations across Finland and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Foundation/NGO & Philanthropic Scholarships (EDAIAOAH)

Keywords

• Art foundation grants
• Cultural philanthropy
• Scientific research funding
• Youth social programs
• Contemporary art collection

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Endowment and Investment Returns: As a charitable foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation operates primarily through its endowment investments. The foundation distributes grants and funding to supported institutions, artists, researchers, and youth organizations from investment returns and accumulated capital.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Saastamoinen Foundation is a Finnish family foundation that supports art, science, research and youth social initiatives through three core activities: (1) grant-making to artists, researchers, universities and youth organisations; (2) stewardship of a permanent contemporary art collection of nearly 3,000 works displayed at EMMA museum in Espoo; and (3) international residency programmes for visual arts alumni at partner institutions in Europe, North America and Scotland. Operations are funded from endowment and investment returns, not commercial sales.

Product overview

Saastamoinen Foundation operates as a Finnish family foundation that functions as a platform for supporting art and science rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include: (1) an internationally significant art collection of approximately 3,000 works housed at EMMA museum, (2) grant programs for artists and researchers, and (3) international residency programs for visual arts alumni. The foundation also operates society programs including Gutsy Go (youth civic engagement), Taimiteko (climate/carbon offset through tree planting with 4H), and supports RARE Media documentary series. The InCollection series commissions annual artworks from contemporary artists, while the Dialogeja exhibition and Mediateokset present collection works at EMMA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Taidekokoelma (Art Collection) Saastamoinen Foundation's contemporary art collection comprising nearly 3,000 works of Finnish and international contemporary art, permanently displayed at EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art in Espoo, Finland, and accessible to the public.
• Apurahat (Grants) Financial grants awarded by Saastamoinen Foundation to support individual artists, researchers, academic institutions, and youth organisations in the fields of art, science and society. Grants are distributed through public application rounds.
• Residenssitoiminta (Residency Programs) International residency programmes offering visual arts alumni of partner institutions (Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki) opportunities to develop their practice at partner institutions in New York (ISCP), Maastricht (Jan van Eyck Academie), Toronto (LIFT), Amsterdam (Rijksakademie), Scotland (Cove Park, Scottish Sculpture Workshop), and domestically in Helsinki and Kuopio.
• InCollection Series Annual commissioned artwork series produced in collaboration with EMMA museum, featuring visionary contemporary artists who create site-specific works for the foundation's permanent collection.
• Dialogeja (Dialogues Exhibition) Collection exhibition at EMMA museum showcasing works from Saastamoinen Foundation's contemporary Finnish and international art collection.
• Gutsy Go A community method funded by Saastamoinen Foundation that brings societal engagement to young people, strengthening participation and preventing social polarisation through school-based projects documented in media.
• Taimiteko (Seedling Action) Climate action project supported by the foundation in partnership with 4H Finland that plants spruce and pine saplings to increase carbon sinks, employs Finnish youth and teaches sustainable development. Aims to plant 20 million seedlings by 2030, creating 10,000 hectares of new forest.
• RARE DOCS Impact Series Documentary film series produced by RARE Media with foundation support, producing short documentaries on youth social exclusion, social media and mental health, accompanied by impact campaigns. Funded films include The Finnish Paradox (2024), Rat Race (2025) and My Little Phone (2026).
• Minna Canth Prize EUR 35,000 annual prize administered by the City of Kuopio honouring democracy, equality and freedom of speech advocates, co-funded by Genelec Oy, Olvi Foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation and Säästöpankki Optia Foundation.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NiceheartsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026First recipient of the Minna Canth Prize in 2026. Nicehearts is an association promoting equality, inclusion and community sense, supporting girls, women, families and gender minorities.
• EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaastamoinen Foundation is a founding member and long-term partner of EMMA museum. The foundation's art collection of nearly 3000 works is permanently displayed at EMMA. The two organizations collaborate on exhibitions including the InCollection series, Dialogues collection exhibition, and media art presentations.
• University of Eastern Finland (Itä-Suomen yliopisto)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university for top-tier research support and internationalization. Foundation supports research initiatives including epilepsy research and sustainability studies.
• Aalto UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner university receiving significant donations (EUR 1.5 million in 2025). Collaboration includes research support, international residencies, and the Business of Culture leadership program with Aalto EE.
• Aalto EE (Executive Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on the Business of Culture program for leadership development in the art and culture sector across Nordic and Baltic countries.
• University of the Arts Helsinki - Academy of Fine Arts (Taideyliopisto)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for visual arts support including international alumni residency programs. Foundation has contributed EUR 1.3 million to strengthen international networks and EUR 500,000 to broaden international connections.
• ANTI - Contemporary Art FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for live art festival and the ANTI Festival International Prize for Live Art.
• PUBLICSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelsinki-based contemporary art space partnership for artistic programs and exhibitions.
• AD-museo (Architecture and Design Museum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting architecture and design museum initiatives.
• Yrityskylä (JA Finland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term support for youth work-life skills education program. Foundation continues funding to help children and young people learn about entrepreneurship and business.
• RARE MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports RARE DOCS documentary series on youth social exclusion, social media, and mental health. Funded films include The Finnish Paradox (2024), Rat Race (2025), and My Little Phone (2026).
• Gutsy GocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting youth civic participation method since 2017. Gutsy Go is one of the key supporters. Method strengthens young people's sense of participation and prevents social polarisation.
• Taimiteko (4H Finland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting climate action project since 2020 that plants tree seedlings to increase carbon sinks. Project employs youth and teaches about sustainable development. Aims to plant 20 million seedlings by 2030.
• Kuopio Lifeboat Association (Kuopion Järvipelastajat)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 20-year partnership supporting voluntary water rescue operations on Finland's inland waters. Foundation supports equipment acquisition, training, and maintenance of command vessel PV Herman Saastamoinen.
• ISCP (International Studio & Curatorial Program, New York)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational residency partner for visual arts alumni. Provides opportunities for artists to develop their practice in New York.
• Jan van Eyck Academie, MaastrichtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational residency partner for Academy of Fine Arts alumni. Four-month residency opportunities in the Netherlands.
• LIFT (Liaison of Independent Filmmakers, Toronto)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational residency partner for artists focusing on moving image and film. Provides opportunities in Toronto, Canada.
• Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten, AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious international residency program for visual artists. Foundation supports Finnish alumni residencies at this renowned Dutch institution.
• Cove Park, ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational residency partner in Scotland. Part of Ecologies in the Making: Sculpting Futures program focusing on making practices in climate breakdown.
• Scottish Sculpture WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational residency partner in Scotland. Part of Ecologies in the Making: Sculpting Futures program for artists working with sculptural methods.
• Drifts FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year artistic initiative (2025-2027) presented in collaboration with Saastamoinen Foundation. Explores spiritual and geographical journeys through forests (2025), oceans (2026), and archipelagos (2027).
• Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on EUR 1.5 million emergency COVID-19 aid package for arts and culture professionals. Foundation contributed EUR 100,000.
• Jenny and Antti Wihuri FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder of the Business of Culture leadership program with Aalto EE and other Swedish-language foundations.
• Föreningen KonstsamfundetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder of the Business of Culture leadership program for art and culture sector in Nordic and Baltic countries.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Finnish Cultural Foundation (Suomen Kulttuurirahasto): Finnish Cultural Foundation is Finland's largest cultural grantmaking foundation, distributing over EUR 40M annually to arts, sciences, and communities. It is the closest direct peer to Saastamoinen Foundation's arts + science + society mandate at a much larger scale.
• Kone Foundation: Kone Foundation is a Finnish family foundation focused on bold research and artistic experimentation in culture and society. It directly mirrors Saastamoinen's arts-research blend with a similar endowment scale and Finnish residency focus (e.g., Saari Home).
• Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation: Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation is a Finnish grantmaking foundation supporting arts, sciences, and social initiatives. It is already a co-funder of Saastamoinen's Business of Culture program with Aalto EE, making it a direct peer in Nordic arts leadership development.
• Konstsamfundet: Konstsamfundet is a Swedish-language Finnish cultural foundation supporting art, culture, and education in Finland. Already a co-funder of Business of Culture, it shares Saastamoinen's Nordic-Baltic cultural leadership focus and bilingual Finnish-Swedish heritage.
• Paulo Foundation: Paulo Foundation is a Finnish family foundation supporting culture, science, and society with a focus on contemporary arts and architectural heritage. It is a direct peer in the Finnish family-foundation cultural grantmaking landscape.
• Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation (Svenska kulturfonden): Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation is a bilingual Finnish-Swedish cultural grantmaker supporting arts, media, and education. It is a direct peer in the Finnish cultural grantmaking space with overlapping Nordic-Baltic scope.
• Amos Anderson Art Museum Foundation (Amos Rex): Amos Anderson Art Museum Foundation operates Amos Rex in Helsinki, combining contemporary art exhibition with the Anderson collection. It is a direct peer in Finnish contemporary art museum philanthropy and collection-based family foundation activity.
• Ilkka and Tellervo Kordelin Foundation: Ilkka and Tellervo Kordelin Foundation is one of Finland's largest family foundations supporting culture, science, and youth education. It directly parallels Saastamoinen's multi-pillar Finnish family-foundation model at the higher end of the asset-size range.

Regional players

• Aine Art Museum Foundation (Aineen taidemuseosäätiö): Aine Art Museum Foundation operates a Finnish visual arts museum in Tornio with a significant private collection. It is a regional peer with overlapping family-foundation + art collection + grantmaking model, though smaller and more regionally focused.

Broad incumbents

• Swedish Arts Council (Kulturrådet): Swedish Arts Council is the Swedish government's national agency for cultural policy and grantmaking. It is a broad incumbent peer for Nordic cultural philanthropy context, though it operates at vastly larger public scale and is a government body.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/saastamoisensaatio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saastamoinen-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/saastamoinenfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Saastamoinen Foundation