The IKEA Foundation, headquartered near Leiden, Netherlands, is a philanthropic organization established in 1982 by Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA. Originally envisioned to support innovation in architecture and interior design, the foundation underwent a pivotal shift in 2009 when its mandate expanded to address the needs of vulnerable children. In 2018, its focus evolved again, centering on combating poverty and tackling climate change as the primary threats to children’s futures.
The foundation is funded solely by the Stichting INGKA Foundation, the same entity that controls the majority of IKEA retail stores. Since shifting its mission, the IKEA Foundation has distributed more than €2 billion, with annual grantmaking now averaging around €200 million. In 2021, it committed an additional €1 billion for climate-related initiatives over five years.
The foundation collaborates with more than 140 partners and does not accept unsolicited proposals, preferring to fund established organizations. Its grantmaking activities reach communities across Africa and Asia, as well as high-emission regions including the EU, India, Brazil, and Indonesia. Notable projects include support for refugee self-reliance programs in Ethiopia, the development of flat-pack emergency shelters, responding to health crises such as the Ebola outbreak, and major contributions toward renewable energy solutions in refugee camps.
Today, the IKEA Foundation focuses on backing scalable solutions that improve family incomes, support youth education, and accelerate global progress in renewable energy and climate adaptation, while maintaining a policy of transparency in its public benefit operations.