Big gift helps save Finnish American cultural assets in the U.P.

What's happening: Finlandia Foundation National, the organization behind the recent purchase of cultural institutions at the now-closed Finlandia University in Hancock, has received a $1 million gift from the American Finnish Club (known as Kerhotalo) of Lake Worth, Florida. 

What it means: The donation is the cornerstone contribution in the Saving Finland in America campaign, launched in 2023 to preserve and protect the historical and cultural assets of the Finnish American Heritage Center. In addition, part of the donation will establish the "Kerhotalo Fund" through FNN, which will enable and support scholarships, grants and programs that are connected with, or relevant to, the Finnish American community and Florida. 

Last year, FFN embarked on a $3 million campaign to save the cultural assets of Finlandia University, which announced its closing last March. They include the 
Finlandia Art Gallery, Finnish American Folk School, Price of Freedom Museum, North Wind Books and The Finnish American Reporter, all of which had previously been held by the now-closed Finlandia University.

About the Finnish American Heritage Center: The center houses thousands of documents, photographs, newspapers, records and artifacts that tell the
story of Finnish America. FFN is maintaining the staff of six personnel responsible for the ongoing programs, operations, and conservation of and care for these historical assets.

What they're saying: “This gift carries on the legacy of the founders of Kerhotalo in a very meaningful way,” says Kaija Kalervo, Kerhotalo president. "Many of them came to Florida from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and their Finnish heritage was of utmost importance. The fact that we can help save the Heritage Center and its contents and create a Kerhotalo Fund to help support current projects in Florida, is the best way we can honor the hard work of everyone who supported Kerhotalo over its 80 years.”