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Funds from sale of Tapiola Apartments
in Farmington Hills, Michigan
In a watershed moment for the future of the Finnish-American and Finnish community in the United States, the Finnish Center Association’s Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation, located in Farmington Hills, Michigan, has made a gift of more than $4 million to Finlandia Foundation National, Inc. The Pasadena-based non-profit organization is the premier source for support of Finnish-American culture and heritage in the U.S.
This historic and transformational gift is a result of the recent sale of the FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation’s Tapiola Apartments, a 92-unit housing community. The contribution is the largest single gift to FFN in the 71-year history of the organization.
FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation, which managed Tapiola Apartments, has a long and proud history in Michigan. The Corporation was an outgrowth of the Finnish Center Association (FCA), a Finnish-American cultural organization founded in 1966, which is currently one of nearly 60 affiliates of FFN. From its beginnings, FCA had a sincere commitment to providing affordable community housing for its members as well as the broader community.
In early 2022, FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation decided to conclude its activities and gift Tapiola Apartments due to changing community needs and increasing operational challenges. Steadfast in its commitment to its Finnish-American roots, FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation sought a solution and a partner with a strong Finnish cultural and heritage background, solid financial position, broad exposure in North America, a reputable history and sustainable plans. FFN was chosen.
Throughout the process, which lasted nearly two years, FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation made one thing clear — its commitment to the legacy of Finnish America must live on.
In making the gift to FFN, Olli Lamminen, the chair of the FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation Board, said, “Finns have a history of being adaptable and resilient. As change occurs, we adapt and change as well. The same is true for our Finnish-American institutions. The donation of the proceeds of the Tapiola Apartments honors the work of the past, recognizes current realities and presents an optimistic future. With this transformation, we take the hopes, dreams and intentions of past generations and carry them forward into the future.
"We honor their legacy and use it to create a sustainable future for other organizations whose spirit and mission they supported. This decision preserves the shared history of our organizations and ensures that their experience and achievements will always be celebrated and remembered.”
“Finns have a history of being adaptable and resilient. As change occurs, we adapt and change as well. The same is true for our Finnish-American institutions." Olli Lamminen
This announcement comes at a significant time and during a turbulent year for Finnish-American institutions. In March 2023, Finlandia University in Hancock, another Michigan-based Finnish-American institution, closed its doors due to financial difficulties after 126 years of operation in the Upper Peninsula. Finlandia Foundation National conducted a campaign to save the Finnish American Heritage Center, its many and varied operations and the contents of its archive, which contains irreplaceable collections of items that tell the story of Finnish-American history nationwide.
Anne-Mari Paster, president of FFN, is honored and humbled by the FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation’s decision. “This proactive decision by FCA Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation’s Board to support Finnish-American culture and heritage demonstrates visionary leadership, will ensure the sustainability of our important institutions and will help us advance Finnish and Finnish-American culture and heritage for generations to come,” she said.
“This proactive decision...will help us advance Finnish and Finnish-American culture and heritage for generations to come.” Anne-Mari Paster
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