The purpose of the Finnish Cultural Foundation's instrument collection is to acquire instruments for the Foundation to own and lend to musicians. Currently, the collection consists of fifty-six string instruments and a harpsichord. As a rule, the loan period is ca. five years, and consecutive loans of the same instrument are not permitted. However, the most valuable instruments in the collection can be granted to the same person for another or even for a third loan period.

The instruments are lent primarily to persons permanently residing in Finland. A Finnish applicant's studies abroad make an exception to this rule. The instrumental loans are given to the grantees at the latest by the end of May.