In 1919 a group of sophisticated and future-oriented businessmen decided to set up the Foundation for Economic Education due to a concern for the future of the Helsinki School of Economics. The charter of foundation was signed in January 1920 when a nationwide fund-raising also began. A vast fund-raising campaign was run, and the funds accumulated through it made up the initial capital for the Foundation for Economic Education.
For more than a hundred years, the fund has influenced the development of Finnish society by supporting business and economics research and education. At present, the support amounts to an annual sum of 4.5–5.0 million euros with a nationwide distribution of grants.
In 2010–11 the Foundation for Economic Education participated in fund-raising capital for Finnish universities by donating 25.4 million euros. In 2016–2017 and 2020–2022, the Foundation for Economic Education participated in fund-raising capital for Finnish universities by donating a total of 7.5 million euros.
Our activities support important research that strives to benefit the Finnish business sphere amid the challenges posed by globalization.