Aurora Foundation

vision and mission

We believe in the free and creative spirit of the mind. Our vision is to nurture and cultivate this spirit in order to improve and enrich people’s lives

We aim to be a dynamic catalyst in development and culture, by executing projects that provide a robust and permanent boost to communities

Development comes with initiatives that eliminate hindrances to people’s choices and opportunities to realise their humanity and individual talents

Culture is the richest manifestation of human liberty. The cultivation of human capacities brings meaning and hope where deprivation hampers development

The Aurora Foundation was created by Ingibjörg Kristjánsdóttir, landscape architect and her husband Ólafur Ólafsson,entrepreneur and investor. It was formally established on 23 January 2007, Ólafur’s 50th birthday.

The Aurora Foundation initial capital was ISK one billion (approx. 14M USD), which was donated by the founders.

The Foundation’s annual disposable income is interest income and other returns on initial capital, and other funds that the Foundation may acquire.

The Aurora Foundation is a non-profit organization that operates according to a confirmed Charter.

A five-person board is elected at the annual meeting. The board works in accordance with operating procedures that were approved by the board on 23 January 2008.