Since 2010, the IKEA Foundation has donated $472.12 million in grants. Photo by: Håkan Dahlström / CC BY
The IKEA Foundation was founded in 1982 and serves as the philanthropic arm of INGKA Foundation, the owner of the IKEA Group of companies. Since 2010, the foundation has donated a total of 420 million euros ($472.12 million) in grants, focusing on creating better opportunities for children living in poverty. Based in the Netherlands, the foundation finances projects worldwide through the profits of the home furnishings brand.
The IKEA Foundation is run by CEO Per Heggenes, who is in charge of determining the foundation’s funding as well as its strategic approach for development initiatives. In 2014, the foundation donated 104 million euros to 40 partners, financing programs in 46 countries.
According to Jon Spampinato, head of strategic planning at the IKEA Foundation, roughly a quarter of the donations made by the organization since its inception was allocated for programs designed to protect children from exploitation in India. Spampinato also told Devex that India will continue to figure prominently in the organization’s priorities for several years to come.
About the author
Dorcas Juliette Ramos- Caraig
As development analyst, Dorcas studies bilateral and multilateral donors’ partnership strategies and writes country-level reports that highlight priority sectors and annual funding allocations. She also monitors pipeline opportunities and trends from donor agencies such as the ADB, DAFTD Canada and NADB. She is currently taking her master’s degree at the University of the Philippines, specializing in Asian foreign relations. Prior to joining Devex, Dorcas worked as a researcher at government institutions.
