Purpose and heritage

Foundation purpose and heritage

Purpose

Inter IKEA Foundation owns and governs Inter IKEA Holding B.V.

The purpose of Inter IKEA Foundation is to secure the independence and the longevity of the IKEA Concept and the financial reserves needed to ensure this.

Inter IKEA Foundation can also make donations to certain philanthropic causes. Future changes to Inter IKEA Foundation may not affect the purpose.

 

Philanthropy

Inter IKEA Foundation supports and finances rearc institute, an independent philanthropic initiative working at the intersection of architecture preservation of nature, and climate protection Perceiving architecture, planning, and design as crucial tools for addressing climate change, the mission of rearc institute is to reframe how we relate to the planet.

The institute brings together researchers, innovators, and experts from various fields to come up with new ideas and practical solutions beyond the limitations of traditional architecture. Its work is focused on collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive change and address both the root causes and effects of climate change through funding of community-led solutions that emphasizes place-based strategies, primarily in Latin America.

Read more about rearc institute here

Heritage

The ideas underlying the IKEA Concept are described by the IKEA founder, Ingvar Kamprad (1926-2018) in the Testament of a Furniture Dealer, a guiding document written in 1976. The document clearly defines the IKEA vision and the IKEA business idea.

The IKEA vision:
To create a better everyday life for the many people.

The IKEA business idea:
To offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.

In The Testament of a Furniture Dealer, Ingvar Kamprad described the basic principles he so passionately believed in, such as: “Let us be self-reliant in the matter of building up financial resources”. Ingvar Kamprad had a true and burning desire for his lifework and at an early stage wished to secure the independence and longevity of the IKEA Concept. To help him achieve this he established Inter IKEA Group and the foundation ownership in the 1980s.

In 2013, Ingvar Kamprad resigned from the Advisory Council of Interogo Foundation and renounced his right to appoint members to the Advisory Council. Since then, successors are appointed through nomination from the outgoing member, followed by a vote in the Advisory Council. This shift in how members are appointed had been planned for a long time.

Ingvar Kamprad
Ingvar Kamprad - recognised globally as one of the great entrepreneurs of our time - passed away peacefully at his home in Småland, Sweden on 27 January, 2018.
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Nobody can guarantee a company or concept eternal life, but no one can accuse me for not having tried to

Changes in 2023

In 2023, Interogo Foundation demerged into two separate enterprise foundations (Unternehmensstiftung). The new Inter IKEA Foundation became the ultimate owner of Inter IKEA Holding B.V., the IKEA related business. Interogo Foundation continued to be the ultimate owner of Interogo Holding AG, the investment business.

The purposes of the two enterprise foundations are identical, namely to secure independence and longevity of the IKEA Concept and the financial reserves needed to ensure this.

Inter IKEA Foundation focuses on governing the IKEA businesses and securing independence and longevity of the IKEA Concept. Interogo Foundation focuses on governing the investment business and securing the necessary financial reserves.

The demerger further strengthened business focus and simplified alignment with upcoming regulations. It enabled the two businesses to keep different financial years and to continue to operate in a decentralised and efficient way.

 

Culture and values

The culture and values of Inter IKEA Foundation are identical to those of IKEA and reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of the late Ingvar Kamprad.

Read more about IKEA Culture and values on ikea.com