PRESS RELEASE 3.12.2025
The Solutions Fund Effekt (Ratkaisurahasto Effekt Oy) is a newly established company that supports and finances social projects with measurable, long-term results. Its initial focus is on children and youth, as well as cultural and educational initiatives.
The Foundation Brita Maria Renlunds minne sr (BMR Foundation), the Alfred Kordelin Foundation and StartMore Social Impact HUB Ltd have founded a new non-profit company aimed at developing solutions to social challenges. The Solutions Fund Effekt began operations on December 1st, 2025.
“Our aim is to help projects and initiatives grow in scale and effectiveness, strengthening overall social well-being,” says the company’s CEO, Ari Evwaraye.
Three primary target groups
• Initiatives and projects with growth potential that seek to contribute to societal improvement. The Solutions Fund provides funding such as low-interest loans, as well as networks and expert support to help organisations develop and expand their work. Eligible applicants include social enterprises, research groups, arts and cultural organisations and non-profit entities. Each project receives a concrete, measurable impact goal, and funding is directed toward reaching that goal.
• Social sector actors such as municipalities, cities or welfare regions. The Solutions Fund can act as a bridge between the public, private and third sectors. Public authorities can identify a partner capable of addressing a social challenge in a new and effective way. Funding can be provided, for example, for work that supports youth mental health. A public authority pays based on the results achieved, while the Solutions Fund carries the financial risk of development.
• Other funders, including foundations and funds. Through the Solutions Fund, funders can promote positive and measurable social change in a new way. Income generated by funded projects can be reinvested into new work or returned to the original funder.
A supplement to traditional forms of support
The Solutions Fund Effekt was established in response to the establishing foundations’ interest in new ways of supporting well-being, culture, education and art. They identified an unmet need between traditional grants and market-based financing.
“We want to support work that creates a better future for children and young people. Through the Solutions Fund we can strengthen projects with growth potential that may require a different financing model than traditional grants,” says BMR Foundation CEO Birgitta Forsström.
“Education and art are cornerstones of society, which is why we want to help build a sustainable financing model together with public and private actors. We also invite other funders to join this collaboration,” says Alfred Kordelin Foundation CEO Erik Båsk.
The BMR Foundation and the Alfred Kordelin Foundation have jointly guaranteed two million euros in initial funding for the establishment and development of the company. Both foundations emphasise that the Solutions Fund does not replace their existing support forms. Together, they award around twenty million euros annually in grants.
The Solutions Fund Effekt in brief
• Operations begin: 1 December 2025.
• Founders: The Foundation Brita Maria Renlunds minne sr, Alfred Kordelin Foundation, StartMore Social Impact HUB Ltd.
• Purpose: To provide support and financing for projects that promote the common good and generate measurable, long-term impact.
• Initial focus: Well-being of children and youth, culture, art and public education.
• Funding: Two million euros in initial funding from the founding foundations. New funders are welcome.
• Principle: Non-profit. Any income is reinvested in new activities or may be returned to the original funder.
• Website: https://effekt.fund
For more information:
Ari Evwaraye
CEO, The Solutions Fund Effekt Ltd
+358 44 532 7035, ari@effekt.fund
Birgitta Forsström
CEO, The Foundation Brita Maria Renlunds minne sr
+358 44 762 3900, birgitta.forsstrom@bmr.fi
Erik Båsk
CEO, Alfred Kordelin Foundation
+358 40 825 8071, erik.bask@kordelin.fi
The Alfred Kordelin Foundation promotes breakthroughs in education. The foundation supports Finnish science, art and public education with more than six million euros annually. Established in 1918 in accordance with the will of businessman and agricultural counsellor Alfred Kordelin, it is one of Finland’s oldest grant foundations. Its vision of a diverse, skilled and international Finland aims for a society where scientific expertise, lifelong learning and diverse art and culture have a strong foundation.
The Foundation Brita Maria Renlunds minne sr (BMR Foundation) is a non-profit foundation established in 1918. Its mission is to support the well-being of children and youth by fostering hope and confidence in the future. The foundation awards grants to organisations working with children and youth whose activities help prevent child poverty and social exclusion. In 2024 the foundation awarded 12.9 million euros in grants and had assets totalling 516 million euros.
StartMore Social Impact HUB Oy is a non-profit coaching company established in 2023. Partners Stephanie Sinclair Lappi, Ari Evwaraye and Stefan Haglund have worked for several years with social entrepreneurs and initiatives. Through their incubator programme they have supported numerous organisations in developing outcome models, impact indicators and business models. Their work has helped build a Nordic network for social innovation and impact first financing.