Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sintra

What Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sintra does

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sintra (SCMS) is a private non-profit social solidarity institution (IPSS) headquartered in Portela de Sintra, Portugal, founded in 1545 by Queen D. Catarina and continuously operating for over 480 years. The institution delivers four integrated service lines to vulnerable populations across Sintra municipality: (i) Elderly Support via Serviço de Apoio Domiciliário (home care), Banco de Ajudas Técnicas (technical aids rental), Animação/Socialização (active aging), and Táxi Social (currently paused); (ii) Childhood Education across three licensed facilities — Creche e Jardim de Infância da Portela (146 children), Creche das Maçãs (44 children), and Jardim de Infância do Banzão (50 children); (iii) Social Action encompassing Cantina Social (daily meal distribution), Centro de Emergência Social (homeless services), Loja Social (donated goods distribution), and Apoios Sociais supporting ~300 disadvantaged families; and (iv) Psychology consultations open to the broader community since 2005.

The institution employs approximately 70 paid staff and is governed by an Irmandade (Brotherhood) of ~200 volunteer members led by Provedor Eng. Carlos Alberto Fernandes Macias (elected 26 June 2026) alongside elected Mesa Administrativa, Assembleia Geral, and Definitório bodies. SCMS's revenue model combines Instituto da Segurança Social cooperation agreements (largest share, subsidising childhood and home-care services), user fees (means-tested childcare, €30/€20 psychology sessions, €10–€60/month technical aids rentals), recurring Cartão de Amigo memberships (€33/year, 30+ corporate partners), symbolic Brotherhood quotas (€30+/year), IRS Solidário consignment (NIF 501 129 545), tax-deductible corporate and individual donations, and project grants such as the BPI la Caixa – Prémio Solidário 2021 funding for the Incubadora de Emprego project.

SCMS holds no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is manual across domiciliary, educational, and food-distribution channels. The institution is differentiated by regulatory licensing (IPSS, ISS Quality Framework, HACCP), 480 years of brand heritage, a dense municipal partnership footprint (Câmara Municipal de Sintra, IEFP, schools, health centres), and ESG positioning via consecutive ABAE Eco-Escolas Green Flags. Distribution operates solely within the Sintra municipality — comprising parishes Portela de Sintra, Colares, Algueirão e Mem-Martins, Rio de Mouro, Agualva-Cacém, Massamá-Monte Abraão, and Queluz — through direct facility provision, home-visit delivery, scheduled appointments, and walk-in social emergency services.

Name

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sintra

Legal name

Santa Casa da Misericordia de Sintra

Website

https://misericordiadesintra.pt

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sintra is a 480-year-old Portuguese non-profit IPSS delivering childhood education, elderly home care, social action services, and psychology consultations to vulnerable populations across Sintra municipality through ~70 staff and ~200 volunteer Brotherhood members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Welfare and Community Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (624110), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ), Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE)

Keywords

• Social welfare services
• Elderly home care
• Early childhood education
• Social emergency support
• Community psychology services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sintra

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Social Security Cooperation Agreements: The largest share of revenue comes from cooperation agreements with the Instituto da Segurança Social (Social Security Institute), which subsidize childhood education and home care services.
2. User Fees (Childhood Education and SAD): Monthly fees from families for childcare services (Creche and Jardim de Infância) and home care services (SAD). Fees are calculated based on family income and expenses, with social security subsidies reducing costs for low-income families.
3. IRS Solidário Consignation (0.5%): Portuguese taxpayers can consign 0.5% of their IRS to the institution at no cost to themselves. NIF: 501 129 545.
4. Cartão de Amigo (Friend Card) Membership: Annual membership card priced at €33/year providing discounts at partner businesses. Provides recurring subscription revenue and network effect.
5. Charitable Donations (Individuals and Companies): Financial donations from individuals and corporate partners; in-kind donations of food, clothing, toys, and other goods. Corporate donations qualify for fiscal benefits (up to 8/1000 of sales volume deductible at 130%).
6. Irmandade (Brotherhood) Membership Fees: Brotherhood members pay a symbolic annual quota of at least €30.
7. Federal and Municipal Grants / Project Funding: The BPI la Caixa prize (2021) funded the Incubadora de Emprego project. The Câmara Municipal de Sintra co-finances psychology consultations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SCMS delivers a diversified portfolio of social welfare services in the Sintra municipality, organized into four priority areas: Childhood Education (three licensed nurseries and kindergartens serving roughly 240 children aged 4 months to 5 years), Elderly Support (home-based personal care, meals, medication assistance, physiotherapy, technical aids, social transport, and animation activities), Social Action (social store, daily meals, social emergency centre, and ongoing family aid to around 300 disadvantaged families), and a Psychology Department offering clinical consultations to the wider community. Services are delivered directly by SCMS staff and volunteers at its own facilities and clients' homes.

Product overview

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sintra operates as a social welfare institution providing a coordinated portfolio of services across four main areas: Childhood Education (with three facilities: Creche e Jardim de Infância da Portela, Jardim de Infância do Banzão, and Creche das Maçãs), Elderly Support (including Serviço de Apoio Domiciliário, Banco de Ajudas Técnicas, Animação/Socialização, and Táxi Social), Social Action (comprising Loja Social, Cantina Social, Centro de Emergência Social, and Apoios Sociais), and a Psychology Department offering consultations to both institutional users and the wider community. The institution also runs an Employment Incubator project. A Quality Management System based on ISS standards supports all childhood education equipment, and environmental education is delivered through the Eco-Escolas program. These services function as interconnected social support programs rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Creche e Jardim de Infância da Portela
• Jardim de Infância do Banzão
• Creche das Maçãs
• Serviço de Apoio Domiciliário (SAD)
• Banco de Ajudas Técnicas
• Animação/Socialização
• Táxi Social
• Loja Social
• Cantina Social
• Centro de Emergência Social
• Apoios Sociais
• Departamento de Psicologia
• Incubadora de Emprego
• Cartão de Amigo (Friend Card)

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 1000 users monthly in situations of socioeconomic hardship across Sintra municipality.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• H Sarah TradingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partnership established in July 2013 for the Social Store (Loja Social). Clothing donations unsuitable for distribution are channeled to H Sarah Trading, which sends materials for reuse and recycling. In return, H Sarah Trading provides a financial donation to SCMS supporting the institution's social aid programs.
• ABAE - Associação Bandeira Azul da EuropaminorOthersABAE coordinates the Eco-Escolas (Eco-Schools) international environmental education program in Portugal. SCMS's two kindergartens (Banzão and Portela) participate annually in the program, receiving the Green Flag when objectives are met.
• BTT - Banco de Têxtil e TechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Cintra MédicaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Colégio PlátanosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Federação Portuguesa de BasquetebolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Lidl PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Continente (Modelo Continente)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Vila GaléminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Hotel Penha LongaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• PuratosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• TarkettminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Mercedes-BenzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Sovena GrupominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• HusqvarnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• BACF (BAPC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• BaxterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• BNI DecisãominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner business in the Cartão de Amigo discount network.
• Câmara Municipal de SintracoreOthersThe municipal government of Sintra cooperates with SCMS through joint programs including co-financing of psychology consultations, support for social action, and shared management of the Centro de Emergência Social and Centro Municipal de Acolhimento de Pessoas Sem Abrigo.
• Instituto da Segurança SocialcoreOthersThe Instituto da Segurança Social (Social Security Institute) provides cooperation agreements that subsidize childhood education and home care (SAD) services. It also co-finances the Cantina Social through its Social Emergency Program.
• ISPA - Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da VidaminorOthersSCMS contributes to the training of future psychologists by hosting curricular and professional internships, through a formal protocol with ISPA.
• Universidade Autónoma de LisboaminorOthersSCMS contributes to the training of future psychologists through a formal protocol for hosting internships with the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa.
• Ordem dos Psicólogos PortuguesesminorOthersSCMS contributes to psychologist training through a formal protocol for hosting internships with the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses.
• IEFP - Instituto do Emprego e Formação ProfissionalminorOthersThe Incubadora de Emprego (Employment Incubator) project, created in 2021 with BPI la Caixa funding, refers SCMS clients to IEFP for training opportunities as part of employment support services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa: The largest and oldest Misericórdia in Portugal, operating a similarly diversified portfolio of social services (childcare, elderly care, social action, health) across Lisbon municipality and beyond. As the originating Misericórdia from which SCMS Sintra descends (founded 1545 by Queen D. Catarina as part of the Misericórdias network), it is the closest structural and operational analog at much larger scale.
• Associação dos Beneficários da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa: Affiliate beneficiary network of Lisbon's Misericórdia providing social support, healthcare, and welfare services. Comparable institutional structure and target population (vulnerable families and elderly), though primarily a Lisbon-area operator with broader geographic and program scope than SCMS Sintra.
• Cáritas Portuguesa: National Catholic social charity providing emergency social assistance, food aid, homelessness support, and family services across Portugal. Operates a comparable wraparound model of social support for vulnerable populations and is a major partner of the Portuguese government in poverty alleviation programs, overlapping significantly with SCMS's Social Action department.
• Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (Portuguese Red Cross): National humanitarian organization delivering elderly home care, emergency social response, food distribution, and health support across Portugal. Directly comparable to SCMS in delivering multi-service social welfare programming, with similar funding from government cooperation agreements and charitable donations, though at national scale.

Direct peers

• Centro Social e Paroquial de Nossa Senhora da Estrela: IPSS social parish center providing early childhood education, elderly support, and social assistance in a Lisbon parish. Operates the same IPSS regulatory framework (Decreto-Lei 119/83) as SCMS and competes for the same Social Security cooperation agreements and ISS Quality certifications, making it a direct operational peer in the same institutional category.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais: Neighboring Misericórdia in the Cascais municipality, providing an essentially identical portfolio of childhood education, home care for elderly, social store, and social canteen services. Directly comparable in scale, governance, and IPSS regulatory framework, making it the closest geographic and operational peer to SCMS Sintra.

Regional players

• Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto: Major Misericórdia serving Porto municipality with an analogous portfolio of childhood education, elderly care, social services, and health programs. Same institutional heritage and operating model as SCMS Sintra, but operating in a different geography and at larger urban scale, making it a direct structural peer with regional rather than head-to-head overlap.

Others

• Centro Distrital de Segurança Social de Lisboa: Regional Social Security office that funds and regulates IPSS institutions including SCMS. Not a direct service competitor but a core institutional stakeholder, providing the cooperation agreements and quality framework that underpin SCMS's operations and the broader Portuguese social services ecosystem.
• Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian: Major Portuguese foundation with substantial social welfare, health, and education grantmaking programs targeting vulnerable populations. While not a direct service provider like SCMS, it is a significant grantmaker and ecosystem partner that funds IPSS organizations and competes for philanthropic attention in the Portuguese social sector.

Emerging players

• Fundação do Gil: Portuguese social solidarity foundation focused on child and family welfare, including support for vulnerable children and families. Adjacent focus area to SCMS's childhood education and family social action services, though narrower in mission and serving a different sub-segment of vulnerable populations.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/misericordiadesintra
• Instagraminstagram.com/misericordiadesintra

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sintra