FAQ

What is the IKEA Foundation?

The IKEA Foundation (Stichting IKEA Foundation) works to create a better everyday life for the many people. As the philanthropic arm of INGKA Foundation, the owner of the Ingka Group of companies, we focus on improving the lives of vulnerable children by enabling their families to create sustainable livelihoods, and to fight and cope with climate change.

Why has the IKEA Foundation chosen to work on livelihoods and climate change?

Our belief is deeply rooted in the idea that only through jobs and income can people lift themselves out of poverty. This needs to happen in sync with concerns around how to adapt to and change the negative impacts of climate change. Underpinned by a robust theory of change, our interventions focus in four areas, because this is where we think we can have a deep and long-lasting impact: climate action, employment and entrepreneurship, renewable energy and agricultural livelihoods. 

How does the IKEA Foundation’s support refugees, particularly refugee children?

Refugee families continue to be part of many of our programmes, as we see refugees as part of the many people. Our new strategy is about families living in poverty and families who are particularly vulnerable to a changing climate. Refugees are particularly vulnerable to both poverty and climate change, so we will continue to pioneer innovative programmes that help refugee families integrate into their local communities.  

How are funding decisions made?

Our funding decisions are based on alignment with:

1. our Strategic Mission to improve the lives of vulnerable children by enabling their families to create sustainable livelihoods, and to fight and cope with climate change
2. our values and operating principles 
3. our capacity to create systemic impact in an effective and efficient way.

Read more on our funding decisions here.

How are funding partners selected?

We get the best results by working with partners who know the most in the areas we want to support. That’s why we partner with programmes managed by a combination of established and well-regarded NGOs (nongovernmental organisations), IGOs (intergovernmental organisations) and other organisations.  These partnerships help us to secure top experts, develop innovative approaches, influence and navigate government policy, and achieve the critical mass it takes to make an impact.

Can I apply for a grant?

No, since we don’t give out direct aid, there is no grant application and unsolicited funding requests aren’t accepted. There are so many great programmes out there, but we can’t fund everything, so instead, we concentrate our resources on cultivating partnerships with key organisations to maximise our effectiveness and efficiency. We do encourage you to keep up your efforts and to look for funding avenues that match your needs.

Do IKEA stores do any community outreach?

Yes, IKEA stores worldwide are active in their communities, sponsoring local events, education efforts, clothing and food drives, as well as environmental efforts from recycling to reforestation. You can learn what each store is doing via links to each country and local store from www.ikea.com. In addition, countries where IKEA has stores respond to emergencies in their area with in-kind donations of IKEA products and funding efforts to restore and rebuild.

What corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities take place at IKEA?

Sustainability is an integrated part of the way IKEA is doing business and it’s seen as a precondition for doing business. Read more in the IKEA sustainability strategy, available here.

What’s your address? How can I contact you?

Stichting IKEA Foundation (IKEA Foundation)
P.O. Box 11134
2301EC Leiden
The Netherlands

Or get in touch via our Contact us page.

What is the relationship between the IKEA Company and the IKEA Foundation? 

Ingka Group of companies (formerly IKEA Group, the largest single holder of IKEA franchises (over 300) and often what people mean when they think of IKEA) is owned by INGKA Foundation. IKEA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of INGKA Foundation. 

What’s the relation of IKEA stores to the IKEA Foundation?

We are the philanthropic arm of INGKA Foundation, the owner of home furnishings company Ingka Group. We are based in the Netherlands, and our funds come from the Stichting INGKA Foundation. 

What is the source of IKEA Foundation funds?  

Our funding at the IKEA Foundation comes from the INGKA Foundation, the owner of the Ingka Group of companies. 

How much money does the IKEA Foundation distribute annually?

In 2018, we donated €175 million. To celebrate the IKEA Foundation’s 10^th anniversary, we published a report which summarises the work we have done over the past decade. You can read our 10^th anniversary review here.

How does the IKEA Foundation help in a disaster?

We provide unrestricted core support to nonprofit partners working in emergency situations (such as a flood, famine, war or earthquake). Our emergency funding strategy focuses on supporting nonprofit partners to meet people’s needs in the immediate aftermath of a crisis. We believe our emergency partners are best placed to decide when and how to respond to crises. Placing financial support with an organisation at the start of the year means they can allocate funds as the year progresses. Find out more here.

How does the IKEA Foundation follow up on funded projects?

Annual grants are dependent on partners providing annual programme reports demonstrating that funds have been used properly and according to original intentions.

How can I support your work? Can I donate to you directly?

You can’t donate to us directly, but if you work or shop for IKEA, you already support our work! IKEA’s profits give us resources to spend on our partners’ programmes. 

The best way to get involved is by supporting our partners directly. You can find out more about our partners here.

We also run in-store campaigns every year. Learn about our latest campaign in partnership with IKEA here.

You can also get involved by becoming part of our community on Facebook and by reading and commenting on our IWitness blog.

What is the difference between the work of the IKEA Foundation and the work of IKEA Social Entrepreneurship?

They are complementary and amplify each other, and we are jointly creating a comprehensive approach.

The IKEA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the INGKA Foundation and it operates independently of the IKEA value chain and business. It is restricted on the type of financial support it can give and mainly focuses its efforts on some of the most impoverished communities in the world.

IKEA Social Entrepreneurship can give financial support in more ways than the IKEA Foundation, it can also connect social entrepreneurs to the IKEA value chain, and with IKEA co-workers for knowledge sharing.