Urlus Foundation

The Urlus Foundation (Urlus-Säätiö) is a Finnish foundation based in Helsinki. Its rules, confirmed on 25 January 1951, define its purpose and founding date. The foundation supports physical education and sports life in Finland, with particular emphasis on the Helsinki region, and also promotes other activities that advance national defence and Finnish independence. While Helsinki has a special position, support may extend across the entire capital region, taking into account the foundation's national scope. It carries out its purpose by awarding grants to various organisations and through other means specified in its rules and by its board. The foundation's support focuses on building the future of Finnish society. Its priority areas are youth, sports, and voluntary national defence. In sports, it primarily supports children's and young people's orienteering, shooting sports, and biathlon. In youth support, preventing the social exclusion of children and young people and helping those already excluded has become a new priority area. The foundation's original capital was 50,000 marks, as stated in its founding deed. With this and a bank loan, it acquired the property of the Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri (Helsinki White Guard District) on Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu. This Helsinki Suojeluskuntatalo (Helsinki Protection Corps House) remains a central part of the foundation's activities. The building also houses the tradition room of the Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri, whose history and traditions the foundation supports. The work of the foundation was preceded by a cooperative society founded overnight. In 1944, there was a threat that the property of the Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri would be forcibly surrendered to the then Soviet Union. The property was turned into a foundation in 1951. In recent years, the Urlus Foundation has distributed grants of over one million euros annually. The amount distributed comes from the foundation's rental, securities, and interest income. The foundation is a member of Säätiöt ja rahastot ry (Foundations and Funds Association) and follows the Good Foundation Practice guidelines. Its office is located at Döbelninkatu 2, 6th floor, 00260 Helsinki. The foundation's CEO is Mika Piiroinen. The foundation also manages real estate, apartments, and rental operations, with Carl-Johan Sanmark as asset manager. In 2026, the foundation made 308 grant decisions. The foundation celebrated its 75th anniversary and awarded recognition for youth work. Antti-Matti Siikala is the new chairman of the board, and Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen was thanked for her service.

The Urlus Foundation (Urlus-Säätiö) is a Finnish foundation whose rules were confirmed on 25 January 1951, marking its founding. Its purpose is to support physical education and sports life in Finland, especially in the city of Helsinki, and to promote other activities that advance national defence and Finnish independence. While Helsinki has a special position, support may extend to the entire capital region, taking into account the foundation's national scope. The foundation carries out its purpose by awarding grants to various organisations and through other means specified in its rules and by its board. The foundation's work was preceded by a cooperative society founded overnight. In 1944, there was a threat that the property of the Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri (Helsinki White Guard District) would be forcibly surrendered to the then Soviet Union. The property was turned into a foundation in 1951. The foundation's original capital was 50,000 marks, as stated in its founding deed. With this and a bank loan, it acquired the property of the Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri on Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu. This Helsinki Suojeluskuntatalo (Helsinki Protection Corps House) remains a central part of the foundation's activities. The building also houses the tradition room of the Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri, whose history and traditions the foundation supports. The foundation's support focuses on building the future of Finnish society. Its priority areas are youth, sports, and voluntary national defence. In sports, it primarily supports children's and young people's orienteering, shooting sports, and biathlon. In youth support, preventing the social exclusion of children and young people and helping those already excluded has become a new priority area. In recent years, the Urlus Foundation has distributed grants of over one million euros annually. The amount distributed comes from the foundation's rental, securities, and interest income. The foundation is a member of Säätiöt ja rahastot ry (Foundations and Funds Association) and follows the Good Foundation Practice guidelines. Its office is located at Döbelninkatu 2, 6th floor, 00260 Helsinki. The foundation's CEO is Mika Piiroinen. The foundation also manages real estate, apartments, and rental operations, with Carl-Johan Sanmark as asset manager. In 2026, the foundation made 308 grant decisions. The foundation celebrated its 75th anniversary and awarded recognition for youth work. Antti-Matti Siikala is the new chairman of the board, and Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen was thanked for her service.

• Threat of forced surrender of Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri property to the Soviet Union; a cooperative society was founded overnight.

• Rules of the Urlus Foundation confirmed, marking its founding.

• Property of Helsinki Suojeluskuntapiiri turned into a foundation; acquired with 50,000 marks and a bank loan.

• Book 'Urlus, Suojeluskunnan säätiö' by Erkki Nordberg published.

• Book 'Urluksen vuosikymmenet' by Kari Selen and Urlus-säätiö published.

• Foundation made 308 grant decisions; celebrated 75th anniversary; Antti-Matti Siikala became new chairman.

A grant-making foundation focused on youth, sports, and national defence, with a strong Helsinki regional emphasis and national scope.

1. 1Urlus-Säätiö – Itsenäisen Suomen puolestaurlus.fi
2. 2Urlus Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Urlus-säätiö - Wikipediafi.wikipedia.org