The mission of the Canadian Friends of Finland Education Foundation (CFFEF), a charitable foundation, is to provide financial and other support to the Finnish Studies Program at the University of Toronto. In order to accomplish this mission, CFFEF raises funds in various ways.

CFFEF’s main objective is to raise sufficient funds to endow a Chair in Finnish Studies at the University of Toronto.

CFFEF received its charitable status (registration number 889034799 RR 0001) in 1991. Ever since, we have organized a variety of various fundraising initiatives and activities, such as large and well-attended concerts, gala fundraising dinners, film nights, special programs and celebrations, and in the early years, direct mail campaigns.

By July 31, 2012, CFFEF had raised ca. 1.2 million dollars, of which U of T was given $25,000-40,000 annually toward the cost of the professorship in Finnish Studies. In addition, in 2009 CFFEF donated $500,000 to the University of Toronto toward the ultimate goal of endowing the Chair in Finnish Studies for perpetuity.