IKEA Foundation Donations Up 44 percent in 2011
Currently funded programmes will reach 100 million children by 2015.
(Leiden, The Netherlands) The IKEA Foundation, which manages IKEA’s investments in social projects to benefit children in the developing world, donated EUR 65 million to 47 charitable programmes in 2011. This constitutes an increase of 44 percent 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 ikeafoundation.org/ABOUT-US.aspx.
"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 coworkers 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 programmes 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 labour 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 programme 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 – the largest private donation ever to the UNHCR.
•The "Soft Toys for Education" programme, a collaboration with UNICEF and the Save the Children, provided EUR 11.4 million for children’s education in 2011.
•Children’s rights programmes 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 in 2011.
Media Contact:
Jonathan.Spampinato (at) ikeafoundation.org
Cell: (+31) 611 756 336
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