Aurea was established in 2006 with a $25 million endowment from the Peter and Melanie Munk Charitable Foundation. Aurea supports qualified institutions and affiliated individuals involved in the study and development of public policy. The Aurea Foundation gives special attention to the investigation of issues related to the political and economic foundations of freedom, the strengthening of the free market system, the protection and enhancement of democratic values, human rights and human dignity, and the role of responsible citizenship.