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From Home Furnishing Business
Ikea Foundation donates $139 million
March 12,
2014 by in Community / Charitable Support, Industry
The Ikea Foundation has released its 2013 Annual Review, reporting $139 million in grants to help children and families living in the world’s poorest communities.
The Ikea Foundation was ranked as one of the highest-giving foundations in the world last year.
Last year's total represents a 21 percent increase over 2012; and expanded the foundation's reach to 35 countries, helping millions of children in over a third of the world’s poorest countries. The foundation’s donations are funded from Ikea’s profits; last year more than 3 percent of the Sweden-based furniture chain’s profits.
“Last year was a remarkable journey for us at the IKEA Foundation,” said Per Heggenes, CEO 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.”
The IKEA Foundation, which works with a total of 31 nonprofit organizations, is the largest global corporate donor to UNICEF, the United Nations Refugee Agency, Save the Children, Clinton Health Access Initiative and KickStart International, to name but a few.
“We are grateful for our strong partnership with the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s largest corporate partner, as we work together to give millions of children the chance of a brighter future,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.
In 2013, the IKEA Foundation worked with UNHCR and Refugee Housing on the development of a safer, more durable emergency shelter with innovations such as solar lighting for refugee families.
“The IKEA Foundation is UNHCR’s largest private-sector partner, and together we hope to be able to transform the lives of many refugees,” said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres.