Special projects

The following are examples of some of the projects the Shipowner Tom Wilhelmsen’s Foundation (TWS) supports:

In the cultural sector, TWS supports various initiatives.

• Aulaseriene was granted 3 million 2025-2028.
• Filmskapere received 12 million 2022-2027.
• Oslo-Filharmonien TWS provided NOK 7 million in spring 2023 for free outdoor concerts at Slottsplassen in 2023 and 2024, as well as NOK 7 million in spring 2025 for free outdoor concerts at Slottsplassen in 2025 and 2026.
• Ungdomssymfonikerne received 250,000 in 2023
• Røykenvik Opera Festival was granted 500,000 in 2023 for the festival in the summer 2024.
• Den Norske Opera- og Ballett received 10,3 million for 2023-2026 to establish the Wilhelmsen Ballet Academy and 14,4 million for 2023-2026 to establish WOYS - Wilhelmsen Studio for Young Singers.
• The Barratt Due Musikkinstitutt TWS contributed a total of NOK 25 million for the years 2023–2027 to support institutional development (scholarship programs, an alumni program, infrastructure/rehearsal facilities, performing activities, and the 100th anniversary).
• MiniFjorden, a children’s festival in Sandefjord, was supported with 350,000 for the summer festival in 2024.
• Naturhistorisk Museum TWS provided NOK 980,000 in spring 2023 and NOK 500,000 in spring 2025 to support a focus on Veksthuset, including the establishment of support groups, travel activities, communication and research dissemination, events, and a dedicated exhibition.
• Oslofjordens Friluftsråd got 1.5 million in 2023 for the Oslofjordaksjon 2023-2025.
• Nøtterøy Amatør Teater received 30,000 in 2023.
• Dronning Sonja Internasjonale Sangkonkurranse was supported with 10 million in the period of 2023-2025.

In medicine, TWS funded amongst others:

• TWS supported UiO – Nasjonalt senter for selvmordforskning with 4.3 million for the period 2022-2024 for a PhD scholarship.
• Aktiv mot kreft received 4.2 million in 2022 for a new facility at Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, as well as 15 million over three years 2025-2027 for a competence center at a new building between Ullern VGS/Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park and the new Radiumhospitalet.
• Norwegian Brain Tumor Consortium (NBTC) / “Krafttak mot hjernekreft”
  TWS provided NOK 10 million in 2025 for the period 2025–2027 to the project “Krafttak mot hjernekreft.”
• UiT – MARBIO

TWS provided NOK 4 million in 2024 to the project “Medicine from the Sea.”

In the maritime sector, TWS supports various projects. Some of the projects are:

• Flyte – the organization focused on drowning prevention, received 1 mill in 2024.
• Wilhelmsen Ship Management was granted 7.8 million over three years from 2023 to support young women’s education in maritime fields.
• Wilhelmsens Ship Management

TWS provided USD 40,000 in 2025 over a three-year period to a project aimed at supporting young students from low-income families in Malaysia through a bachelor’s degree, with the goal of inspiring young academic talent to pursue careers in the maritime industry.

• UArctic Seabed Curtain Project received 2.5 million in 2023 and 2,5 million in 2024. The project aims to delay the melting of the Thwaites Glacier.
• TWS donated 22 million in 2021 to Redningsselskapet for the development of “Smart Saver" initiative; a boat that aims to produce the least possible emissions.
• RopeHope received 500,000 in 2023 for a pilot project that aims to give old ropes a “new life”.
• Norsk Klimastiftelse was granted 600,000 in 2023 for a knowledge dissemination project on green shipping.
• BI Norwegian Business School received 11.7 million in 2023 to renew a professorship in marine industries and a PhD position.
• TERRAVERA Foundation got 1 million in 2023 to research the effectiveness of sustainability measures in shipping.
• Tønsberg Seilforening received 250,000 in 2023 for purchasing a new boat.
• Tjøme og Hvasser Røde Kors was granted 900 000 from 2025-2027.

In humanitarian efforts, TWS has supported several projects over the years. Some are:

Right to Play with 2 million annually from 2023-2025, a volunteer initiative for Ukraine with 250,000 in 2023, Redd Barna with 50,000 in 2023 for Gaza relief, and Doctors Without Borders with 100,000 in 2023 for Gaza aid.

In total, TWS provided approximately 260 million NOK in project support and in scholarships in 2022-2025.