IKEA Foundation Donations Increase 26% to $110 Million Reaching Children in 28 Countries

Leiden, The Netherlands - In 2012 the IKEA Foundation gave $110 million (€82/£71m million*) in grants and donations to help children and families living in poverty in 28 developing countries.

Making grants to six (6) new partners, for a total of 20 partners in 2012, the IKEA Foundation is now the biggest global corporate donor to UNICEF; UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency; United Nations Development Program; Save the Children; and Fight for Peace International, a UK-based charity. Other highlights from our Annual Review 2012:

•Reached 74 million children in India through a 10-year partnership with UNICEF.
•Donated $12 million (€9.3 million) to UNICEF and Save the Children through the Soft Toys for Education campaign with IKEA.
•For the first time, provided funding to US and UK based nonprofits for their work in developing countries.
•Launched our IWitness program for IKEA co-workers to meet and learn from families and communities benefitting from the Soft Toys for Education campaign.

When compared to a variety of established lists and benchmarks, IKEA Foundation’s giving in 2012 would place the Foundation among the most generous corporate foundations in the world. For example:

•Using the Foundation Center’s “50 Largest Corporate Foundations by Total Giving” would place IKEA Foundation as the 7th largest corporate foundation by total giving.
•Using a study of Europe’s largest family foundations by the Research Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy shows that by spending, the IKEA Foundation is among the top five family foundations in the UK, Germany, and Italy (see Table 1).
•In the UK, using a recent CITY.AM - Guide to the world’s largest donors would put the IKEA Foundation at 14th.

“We were fortunate to be able to give $110 million in donations last year to help create opportunities for children and families living in poverty in developing countries. However, what’s important isn’t just how much we give, but how we give,’’ explains Per Heggenes, CEO of the IKEA Foundation. ”By working long-term with the right partners, we can help drive innovation and implement lasting change, allowing us to reach and make a difference in the lives of 100 million children by 2015.’’

About the IKEA Foundation
The IKEA Foundation aims to improve opportunities for children and youth in developing countries by funding holistic, long-term programmes that can create substantial, lasting change. The Foundation works with strong strategic partners applying innovative approaches to achieve large-scale results in four fundamental areas of a child’s life: a place to call home; a healthy start in life; a quality education; and sustainable family income. Currently funded programmes benefit an estimated 100 million children. Learn more at www.ikeafoundation.org.