The Foundation is a London based charity; its founder previously lived, and the majority of the trustees do live, in north London. The founder, Nicolai Tangen, was born and brought up in Kristiansand, Norway; other Trustees also have connections to Norway. The Foundation values these links and has supported a number of causes in north London and in Norway, including those set out below.
The Foundation supports a very wide range of UK charities through the annual ‘Give Back’ programme, through which members of staff of AKO Capital have the opportunity to nominate a charity to receive a grant from the Foundation. As well as nominating charities, the staff collectively determine the recipients of the larger grants. The trustees are delighted that certain charities introduced to the Foundation through this initiative have subsequently developed deeper, multi-year relationships with the Foundation – examples include Generating Genius, Lively Minds, and OnSide.
The Foundation also matches certain charitable donations made by members of staff of AKO Capital.
AKO Foundation support since 2017
The Foundation has made two grants to support Doorstep in its mission to provide homeless families living in temporary accommodation in north London with access to services, so that they can enjoy a better quality of life.
AKO Foundation support since 2014
The Foundation has been an important partner over several years, including in the creation of ‘The Next Decade’ Fund for the commissioning of new plays from leading playwrights.
AKO Foundation support since 2022
In addition to being a well-known performance venue, the Roundhouse is a creative youth centre in north London where young people – artists, creatives, performers and creative entrepreneurs – are given the space and facilities to develop their talents.
AKO Foundation support since 2021
The Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation is an international community mental health service model that helps people with a history of mental illness or vulnerability to rejoin society and to maintain their place in it.
AKO Foundation support since 2023
The Foundation has agreed to support performances over the three years 2023 – 2025 by the Norwegian Ibsen Company, led by the actor Kåre Conradi, at the open-air theatre Fjaereheia, in southern Norway.
AKO Foundation support since 2023
The full name of Redningsselskapet can be translated as ‘The Norwegian Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked People’: its mission is to protect those who travel on or by the sea; to make sea travel and maritime recreational activities safe for all; and to save and protect valuables on and by the sea. The Foundation has agreed to fund the acquisition of an offshore rescue boat, to be deployed in southern Norway.