erikoissäätiöillä

Erikoissäätiöillä refers to a category of charitable foundations in Finland that are established with a specific, narrowly defined purpose, as opposed to general-purpose foundations. The concept is rooted in Finnish nonprofit law, where foundations are governed by the Foundation Act (Säätiölaki) of 2000. Erikoissäätiöillä are typically designed to support particular projects or causes such as scientific research, cultural preservation, education, or social welfare initiatives, and they maintain a single, clearly articulated mission in their statutes.

The legal framework requires these foundations to register with the National Board of Institutional Foundations (Säätiövirasto). Upon registration, the board assesses that the foundation’s purpose is specific and that its activities will primarily advance that purpose. Erikoissäätiöillä must also demonstrate that they do not conflict with general law provisions, such as competition or taxation rules. Their governance is usually held in a board of directors with defined duties to oversee financial and operational compliance.

Examples of erikoissäätiöillä in Finland include the Finnish Academy of Sciences Foundation, which funds research projects, and the Vapaullaida Foundation, which promotes environmental conservation. These foundations operate with a tax-exempt status, provided they fulfill their defined missions and adhere to public transparency requirements. The Finnish system encourages the creation of such targeted foundations as a means to mobilize private resources for specific societal needs while maintaining legal oversight and accountability.