The philanthropic foundation of the LEGO Group that focuses on children’s learning is the LEGO Foundation.
The foundation was established in Denmark on December 10, 1986, by the Kirk Kristiansen family, the owners of the LEGO Group. It was initially created as a corporate foundation and later adopted the name LEGO Foundation. Its broad purpose is to improve children’s lives through play and learning.
The foundation supports research, partnerships, and programs built around playful learning—an approach that treats curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving as important parts of education. Its work includes supporting children affected by crises, helping learners of different abilities, and expanding access to quality learning opportunities.
A frequent confusion is between the LEGO Foundation and LEGO Education. LEGO Education is a product and learning-solutions division associated with classroom materials, while the LEGO Foundation is a philanthropic organization. The foundation also owns 25% of the LEGO Group, linking its long-term charitable mission to the company’s ownership structure.