The Mannerheim Foundation

The Mannerheim Foundation (Finnish: Mannerheim-säätiö) is a Finnish foundation created by Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (1867–1951). Its primary purpose is to award scholarships to promising Finnish officers, enabling them to study at foreign military academies. The grants are distributed on the basis of a proposal made by the Finnish National Defence University (Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu). In addition, the foundation maintains the Mannerheim Museum in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki. The museum was not among the tasks Mannerheim assigned to the foundation; rather, the foundation's board made the decision to establish it after Mannerheim's death. The foundation also owns part of his estate, including the rights to nearly all of his writings. The foundation's origins lie in the General Gustaf Mannerheim National Fund (Kenraali Gustaf Mannerheimin Kansallisrahasto), which was financed by the proceeds of a citizens' collection known as the "Great National Address" (Suuri kansallisadressi). Citizens gave this fund to Mannerheim in early 1920 as a farewell gift when he stepped down from the position of temporary head of state. A deed of gift dated 25 July 1919 gave Mannerheim permission to use the interest of the fund for his own purposes, but he was to determine the transfer of its capital to future generations. The sum was considerable: 7.6 million marks of the time (3 million euros in 2018 money). Along with the monetary gift, all the collection lists were delivered to Mannerheim; in total 300,000 names and 12 volumes. Mannerheim was given additional money on his 70th and 75th birthdays. He turned all the funds he received as donations into a new General Mannerheim National Fund already during his lifetime in 1945, which carried the name of the original fund, and set rules for it in his will drawn up the same year. Mannerheim died in 1951. Later the foundation's name changed to its current form. The foundation operates as a private grant-making body rather than a commercial enterprise, but it functions as a brand-like institutional entity in Finnish public life, associated with the legacy of Mannerheim and with the museum that bears his name. Its activities are concentrated in Finland, and its grant-making is tied to the Finnish defence education system through the National Defence University's proposal process. The foundation's ownership of Mannerheim's literary rights and part of his estate gives it a continuing role in managing his heritage.

The Mannerheim Foundation traces its origins to a citizens' collection known as the "Great National Address" (Suuri kansallisadressi). The proceeds were used to finance the General Gustaf Mannerheim National Fund (Kenraali Gustaf Mannerheimin Kansallisrahasto), which citizens gave to Mannerheim in early 1920 as a farewell gift when he stepped down from the position of temporary head of state. A deed of gift dated 25 July 1919 gave Mannerheim permission to use the interest of the fund for his own purposes, but he was to determine the transfer of its capital to future generations. The sum was considerable: 7.6 million marks of the time (3 million euros in 2018 money). Along with the monetary gift, all the collection lists were delivered to Mannerheim; in total 300,000 names and 12 volumes. Mannerheim was given additional money on his 70th and 75th birthdays. He turned all the funds he received as donations into a new General Mannerheim National Fund already during his lifetime in 1945, which carried the name of the original fund, and set rules for it in his will drawn up the same year. Mannerheim died in 1951. Later the foundation's name changed to its current form, Mannerheim-säätiö. The foundation's primary purpose is to award scholarships to promising Finnish officers, enabling their education at foreign military academies. The grants are distributed on the basis of a proposal made by the Finnish National Defence University (Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu). In addition, the foundation maintains the Mannerheim Museum in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki. The museum was not among the tasks Mannerheim assigned to the foundation; rather, the foundation's board made the decision to establish it after Mannerheim's death. The foundation also owns part of his estate, including the rights to nearly all of his writings.

• 1951

  Mannerheim dies; later the foundation's name changes to Mannerheim-säätiö.

• 1945

  Mannerheim turns all donated funds into a new General Mannerheim National Fund and sets rules for it in his will.

• 1920

  Citizens give the General Gustaf Mannerheim National Fund to Mannerheim as a farewell gift when he steps down as temporary head of state.

• 1919

  Deed of gift dated 25 July 1919 gives Mannerheim permission to use the interest of the national fund for his own purposes, with capital to be transferred to future generations.

A private Finnish foundation dedicated to supporting the military education of Finnish officers and preserving the heritage of Marshal Mannerheim.

• Scholarships for Finnish officers

  Grants enabling promising Finnish officers to study at foreign military academies, distributed on the proposal of the National Defence University.

• Mannerheim Museum

  A museum in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, maintained by the foundation.

1. 1Mannerheim-säätiö – Wikipediafi.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Mannerheim Foundation – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Mannerheim-säätiö – Mannerheim-museomannerheim-museo.fi