The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation says it will have to cease operations on 31 December, as funding from the Magnum Ice Cream Company has been withdrawn. The brand’s foundation funds philanthropic initiatives using a portion of the profits from ice cream sales. This was agreed upon when Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s.

Unilever spun off its ice cream division last year. Magnum Ice Cream Company is now an independent company. According to the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, funding was withdrawn in April, and the foundation must vacate its offices by Wednesday 15 July.

Unilever has respected Ben & Jerry’s unique positioning for decades, but relations have completely soured in recent years. This was triggered by controversy surrounding Ben & Jerry’s pro-Palestinian stance. Founder Ben Cohen is reportedly seeking to separate the company from Magnum Ice Cream Company. Last year, Magnum Ice Cream Company announced that an audit had identified ‘poor financial management’ at the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation.