The Foundation was set up towards the end of the war, in autumn 1944, by the central board of the Lotta Svärd Organisation. The Foundation’s aim was to assist women and children who had suffered during the war, or some other crisis. According to the present constitution, financial assistance can also be provided to train women to work in crisis situations and to cherish the Lotta Svärd tradition.
Before the Lotta Svärd Organisation was disbanded, in 1944, the local associations donated some of their funds and real estate to the newly established Foundation, though most of the funds had to be surrendered to the government. The Foundation used these funds for urgent welfare work, but also acquired real estate and set up commercial enterprises in order to augment its financial base.
A State-subsidized apartment block was built in Helsinki at Mannerheimintie 93, which was used to house Lottas returning from the war, and other families, and to supply old people with homes and support. The most important commercial enterprise was Työmaahuolto Oy, whose initial function was to provide catering services at reconstruction work-sites in northern Finland, thus also employing Lottas no longer needed for the war effort. Työmaahuolto provided catering at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. It also set up the provision of hot meals for those working in the developing industries.
Later, a special committee was set up to guide former Lottas into open-care or institutional rehabilitation programmes. Many associations for war invalids and veterans, especially their women’s sections, have also received grants for rehabilitation equipment and furnishings.
