IKEA Foundation gave €101 million to help children in 2013

The IKEA Foundation has published its 2013 annual review, announcing a 21% increase in total giving to organisations that are improving life for children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Thanks to dedicated IKEA co-workers and loyal customers, the IKEA Foundation was able to give €101 million last year to 31 charities and international organisations working in 35 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America.

Expanding our work

Among the 31 partners receiving grants last year were 12 new partners. One of the new partnerships is with Forest Trends, which will help families from the Surui and Yawanawa tribes of Brazil develop sustainable ways to protect their rainforest homelands and improve their family incomes. It is the first time the Foundation has funded programmes in South America.

The Foundation also expanded several of its programmes, including an innovative literacy programme run by Development Alternatives to teach women in India how to read, write and do basic math.

“Last year was a remarkable journey for us at the IKEA Foundation,” said Per Heggenes, Chief Executive Officer of the IKEA Foundation. “By giving more than ever, we were able to develop innovative new partnerships, helping ensure we can reach 100 million children and their families by 2015.”

Profits give us resources

The Foundation’s donations are funded from IKEA’s profits; last year’s (FY13) donation represents more than 3% of the iconic furniture chain’s profits, leading to the Foundation being ranked as one of the highest-giving foundations in the world.

The Foundation is the largest global corporate donor to many of its partners, including UNICEF, Save the Children, the UN’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).