Helsinki Deaconess Institute

The Helsinki Deaconess Institute, also known as the Deaconess Foundation, is a prominent Finnish social enterprise and non-profit foundation founded in 1867. It specializes in providing comprehensive social and healthcare services for vulnerable groups, including individuals experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and social exclusion. The organization operates through various service brands like Rinnekodit, which focuses on disability services and specialized housing solutions. As a pioneer in social work in Finland, it combines professional service delivery with a mission-driven approach to promote human dignity and social justice. The foundation is a major employer in the Finnish social sector, managing a wide network of residential and outpatient care facilities. Its activities are funded through service contracts with wellbeing services counties and various grants, reinvesting surpluses back into social development.