Everything we do is guided by these principles:

• Our support should assist people in need, primarily in the developing world, to help them make real and lasting changes in their lives and lead them to take control of their own future.
• We work to take a comprehensive approach to areas we support and address various contributing causes of a situation to get better results.
• Programmes should reflect IKEA business philosophy of partnership, long-term focus, cost-consciousness; innovation, creativity, constant improvement and strong ethical behavior.
• We try to be an active partner in everything we do – asking critical questions, and where applicable, sharing unique IKEA expertise with partner organizations.
• We always look to monitor and maximize the return on invested capital and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our support programmes, so we can be sure we’re doing as much we can for as many people as possible.

How We Work With Our Partners

We get the best results by working with partners who know the most about the areas we want to support.

That’s why we partner with programmes managed by established and well-regarded NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations), and IGO’s (Inter-Governmental Organizations) in order to secure top experts, develop innovative approaches, influence and navigate government policy, and achieve the critical mass it takes to make an impact.

Long-term, on-going support:

• A wide range of programmes funded through partner organizations that together address the full circle of fundamental needs that can help people break the cycle of poverty and ultimately take control of their own future.
• We also support pilot projects (proof-of-concept projects) that can both make an impact now and be a good model for future programmes.
• Adding our support to existing, ongoing efforts, (e.g. projects funded via the IKEA stores’ soft toys campaign), where our contribution helps established educational projects keep making progress.
• All programmes are designed to help people help themselves to a better life.  They have a definite time limit and are often designed in close co-operation with local and national governments to ensure sustainability.

Short Term:
• In-kind donations of IKEA products in an emergency – during or after a disaster, flood, famine, storm, war, drought, disease, earthquakes, etc. Later, financial support for programmes to rebuild and restore necessities and infrastructure.
• Working with partner organizations sharing valuable IKEA expertise designed to enhance operational and financial efficiency.
 

How We Help

We support our partners in these key ways:

•MONEY             Financial support for programmes.
•GOODS             In-kind donations of IKEA products.
•KNOW-HOW      Sharing key IKEA-expertise.

MONEY HELPS
Financial support is channeled to programmes through strategic partner organizations who know how to get things done. We funnel funding to experts in their fields who have the connections, people in place, supply lines, and ability to navigate local laws and cultural customs to speed aid to where it’s needed most. Since we don’t bestow grants or direct aid, requests for funding aren’t accepted. Instead, we cultivate long-term projects by partnering with organizations whose efforts match our programme goals, and then working together to accomplish much more than we ever could alone.

IKEA PRODUCTS
A pillow, a lamp, or just something to hug…
Pillows, blankets, buckets, solar SUNNAN lamps, and snuggly soft toys are just some of the millions of IKEA products distributed through our partners as in-kind donations. Particularly after a disaster - earthquake, flood, storm - or in refugee camps, when children and families have often lost everything, these in-kind donations of IKEA products can comfort them a bit and help them sleep, eat, read, or simply smile and play and get back a little bit of ‘normal’ everyday life.

IKEA KNOW-HOW
Beyond cash and goods, we share our expertise.
For example, moving tons of stuff efficiently is something IKEA does very well – as a home furnishings company IKEA has decades of experience transporting goods worldwide.  So, the IKEA Foundation has connected IKEA logistics experts with relief organizations to share our knowledge of how to purchase, store and move masses of goods quickly and efficiently.