Fundación ICO is a non-profit-making, private, cultural foundation of national scope, running on a permanent basis. Its purpose is to promote, develop, protect and encourage all kinds of studies, research and other activities related to economic, scientific, technological, environmental, urban development, social, professional, labour, cultural, artistic, educational, civic and humanitarian subjects, in addition to any which might be of general interest.
Furthermore, the foundation has its own art collections, which are on permanent display at Museo Colecciones ICO. By way of a complement to the museum activity, Fundación ICO organises temporary exhibitions.
At the same time, the foundation plays a significant role in the field of economic research by organising courses, seminars and conferences to act as a platform for analysing and reflecting upon changes in the economy and the world of finance.
Lastly, Fundación ICO has set up a scheme aimed mainly at providing backing for economic and financial research. As a complement to this programme, the foundation also enters agreements with the appropriate academic institutions for the organisation of studies and courses during the summer.