The Finnish Children and Youth Foundation (FCYF) was established in 2001 as the foundation in Finland committed solely to improving the lives of children and youth. The FCYF is competent to be given donations and receive wills. As a fundraising and grant-making organization, FCYF aims to promote and support programs that improve the conditions of children and youth in Finland and abroad. A fully independent organization under Finnish law, FCYF is a partner of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and The European Children and Youth Foundations Network (ECYN).

Illustrative grants
As a grant making and operational organization FCYF aims to support preventive youth programs both in Finland and around the world. Today FCYF is administering two major programs in addition to its regular grant making activities. The “Zest”, a Make a Connection Life Skills program, has recruited prominent Finnish personalities to visit 7th through 9th graders in schools around the country, talking with them about self-confidence, talents and life skills. The “Zest” has benefited over 60 000 students to date.
The “Karelian Child”, a grant-making program is designed to support and further develop preventive child and youth work in the Russian Karelia and Vyborg region. The program consists of several independent projects.