Looking ahead

In times of societal change, it becomes ever more important for foundations to be visible, to engage, and to make an impact, writes Kone Foundation CEO Ulla Tuomarla.

The past few years have shown that the operating environment of foundations is in a constant state of change. It also appears to have become permanently more complex. In Finland, we are witnessing a retreat of the welfare state, which in turn places more pressure on foundations. For foundations, cuts in public funding are reflected in record numbers of applications, as well as urgent enquiries outside official application periods.

In these difficult times, foundations are being called upon to participate more actively in broader societal discussions—whether the concern is the declining appreciation of academic research, the erosion of democracy, or young people’s diminishing sense of hope for the future. It is important to be present, to participate and to have an impact, although responsibility for Finnish welfare cannot be placed on foundations.

During 2025, Kone Foundation updated its strategy. Going forward, we will expand our societal impact work to increase the inclusion of young people and minorities. Over the course of this year, we will further specify how this will be implemented in practice. At the same time, we will continue the work we have long been committed to: funding research and the arts. Defending the freedom of research and art—the Foundation’s most important value—feels especially timely in the current climate.

Defending the freedom of research and art—the Foundation’s most important value—feels especially timely in the current climate.

The hardening of the public discourse and the growing divergence in Finnish value systems are evident, for example, in instrumentalizing rhetoric about research and art. Research increasingly appears politicised in public discourse and is also deliberately called into question. Individual funding decisions occasionally become the subject of controversy, and unfortunately, there are also attempts to silence academics. There is a risk that researchers themselves may begin to avoid sensitive topics for fear of targeted harassment. Funders hold both power and responsibility. In practical terms, we provide support to the researchers and artists we fund in difficult situations, as well as training for navigating such situations.

Another worrying feature of our time is the relative decline of researcher-driven funding. An increasing share of research funding is subject to political steering, which highlights the important role of foundations within the overall research funding landscape. Much of the research we fund is basic research, which does not typically attract media attention or have immediate practical applications in today’s society. A good example would be compiling the grammar of a rare language. This contributes to linguistic knowledge of the world’s languages and systems, but it will not drive Finland’s economic growth in the immediate term. The free movement of research ideas is a fundamental condition for the autonomy of research and an essential part of society’s knowledge base.

The free movement of research ideas is a fundamental condition for the autonomy of research and an essential part of society’s knowledge base.

The Foundation is also looking ahead in the long term by updating the facilities of the Saari Residence. Preparations have long been underway in Mietoinen for a major renovation project that will improve the working spaces for artists and researchers in residence. In selecting the architect, we emphasised ecological values, an understanding of the historical layers at the Saari manor, and the integration of the renovated facilities with the surrounding environment. All usable materials will be repurposed, while transforming the facilities into a working space that serves a diverse community of artists and their varied needs. Due to the construction project, residency operations must temporarily be run on a smaller scale, and applications will be limited to artists and researchers who can work in their apartments during the residency.

At the end of 2025, Hanna Nurminen stepped down from her long-standing role as Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and Ilona Herlin succeeded her in the post. Hanna Nurminen’s influence is visible in the foundation in every possible way—from the growth of its capital to the aesthetics of our facilities. Personally, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work at the foundation during her tenure. Today, Kone Foundation strongly reflects Hanna’s vision: attentive, perceptive, and bold. With confidence, the baton has now been passed forward, and I have no doubt that these same qualities will also define Hanna’s successor, Ilona.

This text is published in the Foundation’s Annual Report 2025. Read the Annual Report here: Koneen Säätiön vuosi 2025 (opens in a new tab). The English summary starts from page 134.