Press Release

IKEA Foundation donations up 44 percent in 2011

[PARTNER RELEASE] The IKEA Foundation, which manages IKEA’s investments in social projects to benefit children in the developing world, donated $84.5 million US to 47 charitable programs in 2011. This constitutes an increase of 44% over the previous year. IKEA and UNICEF have been working together in India to end child labor and create a better future for India’s children for the past 10 years.

LEIDEN, The Netherlands (March 20, 2012) — The IKEA Foundation, which manages IKEA's investments in social projects to benefit children in the developing world, donated EUR 65 million ($84.5 million US*) to 47 charitable programs in 2011. This constitutes an increase of 44% over the previous year (EUR 45 million). Funds were allocated to 15 different organizations including UNHCR (the UN refugee agency), Half the Sky, UNDP, Save the Children, and UNICEF, reaching children in more than 30 countries. The Foundation's Annual Review is available at www.ikeafoundation.org.

"Our vision is a world where children living in poverty have more opportunities to create a better future for themselves and their families," explains Per Heggenes, CEO of IKEA Foundation. "Profits give us the resources to reach for that vision, and we are grateful for the dedication of IKEA co-workers and loyal customers around the globe who enabled us to increase our giving so dramatically, despite the global recession and economic uncertainties."

The foundation funds a wide range of long term programs to address the basic needs for children and families, helping them break the cycle of poverty and take control of their own future. For the past 10 years, IKEA and UNICEF have been working together in India to end child labor and create a better future for India's children.

Additionally, the foundation provides in-kind donations of IKEA products to aid families struck by disasters, and shares key IKEA expertise, such as logistics and material handling. Highlights of  the past year include :

  • A three-year program for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, to care for 120,000 refugees in the Horn of Africa. In total, the IKEA Foundation’s commitment amounted to EUR 45 million ($58.5 million US)—the largest private donation ever to the UNHCR.
  • The "Soft Toys for Education" program, a collaboration with UNICEF and the Save the Children, provided EUR 11.4 million ($14.82 US million) for children’s education in 2011.
  • Children's rights programs in cotton production areas of India and Pakistan, which aim to strengthen children's rights and fight child labor practices. Donations amounted to EUR 11.3 million ($14.69 US million) in 2011.   

*US Dollar amount based on one Euro = $1.30 US Dollar

About the IKEA Foundation

The IKEA Foundation aims to improve opportunities for children and youth in developing countries by funding holistic, long-term programs 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 programs benefit an estimated 100 million children. Learn more at www.ikeafoundation.org.