# Aurora Foundation

Aurora Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Wilmington, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Wilmington, United States
- **Region:** Africa
- **Address:** 186 Wilkinson Road, Wilmington, United States
- **Founded:** 2007
- **Assets under management:** 603 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** aurorafoundation.is
- **LinkedIn:** https://sl.linkedin.com/company/aurorafoundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Aurora Foundation was established in 2007 by Ólafur Ólafsson and Ingibjörg Kristjánsdóttir. Initial capital came from Kjalar hf., the founders' holding company. The foundation functions as a non-profit executing projects in community development and culture. The foundation holds direct interests in operating businesses and properties. Confirmed holdings include Sweet Salone, a project operated directly by Aurora Foundation, and Neptune through Aurora Foundation. Samskip is held via Kjalar hf. Geographic exposure centers on Sierra Leone and Iceland with additional administration in the United States. Asset classes include commercial real estate, contemporary design products, and a diversified financial market portfolio managed in Switzerland. The foundation lists 603 million USD in disclosed assets. It maintains offices in Reykjavik and Freetown. Adjacent vehicles include the Aurora Design Fund established in 2009 and the Kraumur Music Fund established in 2008. October 2024: Attended GIIN Impact Forum in Amsterdam. Ownership flows through founder-controlled entities rather than external LPs. Kjalar hf. supplied the original endowment and continues to hold related operating companies.

## Sectors

- Arts
- Impact Investing

## Offices

- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Freetown, Sierra Leone

## People

- Ólafur Ólafsson — Co-founder and President of the Board
- Ingibjörg Kristjánsdóttir — Co-founder and Board Member

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Aurora Foundation?

Ólafur Ólafsson serves as Co-founder and President of the Board. Ingibjörg Kristjánsdóttir serves as Co-founder and Board Member. Decisions route through these principals and Kjalar hf.

### Does Aurora Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation executes direct ownership in operating businesses and real assets. No external fund commitments appear in the record.

### What investment stages does Aurora Foundation typically target?

The foundation targets direct ownership and project execution rather than venture or growth stages. Holdings include established operating businesses such as Samskip and Sweet Salone.

### How is Aurora Foundation related to Kjalar hf.?

Kjalar hf. provided the initial endowment and holds related operating companies including Samskip. It functions as the founders' primary holding vehicle.

## Related profiles

- [IPRESB](https://altss.com/profile/ipresb)
- [Zabolis Partners](https://altss.com/profile/zabolis-partners)

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Last updated: 2026-06-28T01:54:04.008Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/aurora-foundation

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