The IKEA Foundation

IKEA Foundation (Stichting IKEA Foundation) is an independent charitable foundation that oversees IKEA’s global philanthropy. The Foundation resides in the Netherlands and their funds come from the Stichting INGKA Foundation. They fund dozens of programmes run by large and small organisations to make life better for children living in extreme poverty.   The Foundation envisions itself working toward a world where children living in poverty have more opportunities to create a better future for themselves and their families.   Their mission is to create substantial and lasting change by funding holistic, long-term programmes in some of the world’s poorest communities that address children’s fundamental needs: home, health, education and a sustainable family income.   By 2015, Thanks to IKEA’s dedicated co-workers and customers, 100 million children will benefit from their currently funded programmes.   In 2013 the Foundation has achieved the following: donated €101 million supported 31 partners with grants benefitting children in 35 countries raised €10.1 million through our Soft Toys for Education campaign for UNICEF and Save the Children.   Programs The Foundation funds programmes that focus on children’s four fundamental needs: a place to call home, a quality education, a healthy start in life and a sustainable family income. They focus on programmes that address these needs in a systematic, holistic way. The programmes they fund fall into four broad areas of work:   Better lives for refugee children and families – The Foundation supports projects that address children’s need for a safe place to call home, and we share IKEA’s specialist logistics knowledge to help partners get emergency supplies where they’re needed quickly.   Fighting the root causes of child labour and promoting children’s rights – The Foundation funds programmes that promote children’s rights, giving them access to education, healthcare and a sustainable family income so they can create more opportunities for themselves and their families.   Empowering women and girls - By empowering women—through education, skills training, better healthcare or providing a loan to set up a small business—we  can improve children’s health, education and future opportunities.   Emergency Response - All children should have the right to learn and play. But when natural disasters and conflicts turn their lives upside down, they lose the chance to simply be a child. The Foundation donates IKEA products and provides financial support for humanitarian relief efforts.   Good cause campaigns in cooperation with IKEA stores Soft Toys for Education campaign - Every year, the IKEA Foundation donates €1 for every soft toy sold in participating IKEA stores in November and December. The donation goes to Save the Children and UNICEF, and is spent on children’s educational projects.   Brighter lives for refugees campaign - The Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign will run in IKEA stores globally from 3 February to 29 March 2014. For every LEDARE (LED light bulb) sold during the campaign, the IKEA Foundation will donate Є1 to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).