Fundacao Sara Albuquerque Costa

What Fundacao Sara Albuquerque Costa does

Fundação Sara Albuquerque Costa is a Brazilian nonprofit charitable organization founded in June 1998 in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, by Álvaro and Marlene, parents of Sara Albuquerque Costa who died of leukemia in 1997. The foundation provides free, comprehensive social assistance to children and adolescents (ages 0–19) with cancer and their families, operating eleven distinct programs spanning social assistance (Seguindo em Frente), nutrition (Nutrir Bem), transportation (Transportando Tesouros), accommodation (Aconchego), psychological and pedagogical support (De Bem com a Vida), legal aid (Direito Legal), housing assistance (Casa Nova Vida Nova), access to exams and medications (De Mãos Dadas and Agilizar), early diagnosis training for healthcare professionals (Conhecimentos que Curam), and a unified campaign program tied to the construction of the Hospital de Câncer Sara Albuquerque (Unidos pelo Tratamento).

The foundation operates from two physical units — its Montes Claros headquarters (established 1998) and a Belo Horizonte branch (inaugurated July 2010) — extending services across the entire state of Minas Gerais. It does not operate proprietary technology platforms; rather, it relies on its website, social media (Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp), and standard digital payment rails (credit card, PIX, bank debit) to engage donors. The organization is constructing the first exclusively pediatric cancer hospital in North Minas Gerais (R$13 million total budget across four phases), in partnership with Santa Casa de Montes Claros under a 2019 contract.

Revenue is derived entirely from donations and philanthropic sources, including individual one-time and recurring donations, monthly associates, the Empresa 5C corporate partnership program (Bronze/Silver/Gold tiers with 100+ participating companies), tax-designation mechanisms (up to 3% of Brazilian income tax via IR/FIA, plus the Nota Fiscal Mineira state program), the Doe Seu Troco change-collection program across partner retailers, annual events such as the Barraquinhas Juninas festival, bazar sales of donated goods, and in-kind contributions including hair donations. All services to beneficiaries are provided free of charge. The foundation holds CEBAS, CNEAS, CMAS, CMDCA, and state/municipal Public Utility designations, and has been recognized four times (2018, 2020, 2022, 2025) as one of the 100 Best NGOs in Brazil by Instituto Doar.

Name

Fundacao Sara Albuquerque Costa

Legal name

Fundação Sara Albuquerque Costa

Website

https://fundacaosara.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fundação Sara Albuquerque Costa is a 1998-founded Brazilian nonprofit providing free social, medical, and logistical assistance to children and adolescents with cancer and their families across Minas Gerais via eleven programs, and is constructing the region's first pediatric oncology hospital.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Cancer Social Assistance

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Childhood cancer assistance
• Pediatric oncology support
• Social assistance services
• Nonprofit charitable foundation
• Family support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Montes Claros

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Recurring and one-time donations from individuals through bank debit, credit card, PIX, and boleto. Brazilian taxpayers can designate up to 3% of income tax to the foundation through the regular tax declaration.
2. Monthly Associates: Monthly recurring contributions from associated members who commit to regular donations.
3. Corporate Partnerships (Empresa 5C): Bronze, Silver, and Gold tier corporate partnerships where companies make financial contributions in exchange for recognition and marketing benefits including logo placement, social media promotion, and event visibility.
4. Bazar Sales: Sale of donated clothing, toys, electronics, and household items at the foundation's bazar. Proceeds support operational costs.
5. Event Fundraising: Annual Barraquinhas festival and other events that raise funds through food and beverage sales, donations, and volunteer engagement.
6. Doe Seu Troco Program: Collection boxes placed at partner businesses where customers can donate their change. Operating in stores across Belo Horizonte, Montes Claros, and North Minas Gerais.
7. Hair Donations: Hair donations are used to make wigs for patients; excess hair is sold with proceeds supporting operations.
8. Nota Fiscal Mineira: Participation in Minas Gerais state program where consumers designate the foundation to receive rewards from lottery-type receipt registration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fundação Sara Albuquerque Costa is a Brazilian nonprofit charitable organization that provides free, comprehensive social assistance to children and adolescents with cancer (ages 0-19) and their families in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Its portfolio of 11 social programs covers lodging, meals, transportation, medical exams, medications, psychological and pedagogical support, legal aid, housing assistance, and early cancer diagnosis training. The foundation is also constructing the Hospital de Câncer Sara Albuquerque, the first exclusively pediatric cancer hospital in North Minas Gerais, in partnership with Santa Casa de Montes Claros.

Product overview

Fundação Sara Albuquerque Costa operates as a unified social assistance organization offering a portfolio of 11 programs supporting children and adolescents with cancer and their families. These programs span social assistance, nutrition, transportation, accommodation, psychological and pedagogical support, legal aid, housing, and early cancer diagnosis. The organization is also constructing the Hospital de Câncer Sara Albuquerque, its first dedicated pediatric cancer facility. The product portfolio is organized around the unified mission of providing integral, free-of-charge social assistance to cancer patients, rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hospital de Câncer Sara Albuquerque Hospital under construction in partnership with Santa Casa de Montes Claros, planned as the first pediatric cancer hospital in North Minas Gerais. Includes chemotherapy beds, isolation bed, apartments, outpatient clinic, procedure rooms, playroom, and rehabilitation space, serving the Northern Minas Gerais region.
• Programa Seguindo em Frente

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,670 transports, +49,000 meals, R$359,000 invested in medications/exams/consultations, +12,000 lodging nights provided annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Santa Casa de Montes ClarosflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Strategic partnership for construction and management of Hospital de Câncer Sara Albuquerque, the first exclusively pediatric cancer hospital in North Minas Gerais. Santa Casa provides medical expertise while the foundation contributes humanized patient care. Contract signed in 2019; hospital construction began 2023.
• Banco do Brasil (Fundacao Voluntariado BB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Long-standing corporate partner providing volunteer support and potentially financial contributions to foundation programs.
• CEMIG VoluntariadocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteering partnership with state energy company CEMIG supporting foundation activities.
• EurofarmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company providing medications and support to foundation programs.
• TambasaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDistribution company supporting foundation with donations and partnership.
• O BoticariominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCosmetics brand supporting foundation through donations and corporate social responsibility programs.
• Criança Esperanca (UNESCO/Rede Globo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner2020 beneficiary of Globo/UNESCO project for childhood and adolescent support. Major national exposure and funding.
• Instituto Ronald McDonaldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in childhood cancer support ecosystem, sharing expertise and potentially co-developing programs.
• Mesa Brasil (SESC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood rescue program partnership helping supply food for the Nutrir Bem program.
• UnimontesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState university partnership including radio station support (Unimontes FM) and potentially academic collaboration.
• Origo EnergiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy company partner in Empresa 5C Gold tier, supporting foundation with financial contributions.
• MartMinasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupermarket chain partner in Empresa 5C Gold tier.
• Premium ClubeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoyalty/reward program partner in Empresa 5C Gold tier.
• Agil TradingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrading company partner in Empresa 5C Gold tier, with special focus on medication support.
• MP Locadora de VeiculosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle rental company partner in Empresa 5C category, supporting transportation needs.
• LocawebminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company providing website and digital infrastructure support.
• RaizenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy/fuels company supporting foundation programs.
• ItatiaiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor regional media partner providing publicity and awareness coverage.
• Band MinasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTelevision network partner for awareness campaigns and publicity.
• TV G1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional TV partner providing coverage and visibility for foundation activities.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Instituto Ronald McDonald: National Brazilian nonprofit dedicated to childhood cancer support through the Ronald McDonald House program. Already a strategic partner of Fundação Sara and operates a similar model of integrated family support services for pediatric oncology patients.
• GRAACC: Grupo de Apoio ao Adolescente e à Criança com Câncer, one of Brazil's leading pediatric oncology hospitals and support organizations based in São Paulo. Comparable in mission (childhood cancer) and in operating a specialized hospital facility supported by donations and corporate partnerships.
• Hospital Pequeno Príncipe: Largest exclusively pediatric hospital in Brazil, located in Curitiba, with extensive social assistance programs for children with cancer. Comparable as a donor-supported pediatric specialty hospital with integrated family support services.
• Associação Brasileira de Apoio às Crianças com Câncer (Abracc): Brazilian national association supporting children with cancer through local affiliated houses. Directly comparable as a peer organization serving pediatric oncology families with lodging, transport, and social assistance.
• Fundação Boldrini: One of Brazil's leading pediatric cancer treatment and research centers, based in Campinas. Comparable in operating a dedicated pediatric oncology hospital, integrated family support programs, and reliance on donations and corporate partnerships.
• Casa Durval Paiva: Nonprofit in Rio Grande do Norte supporting children and adolescents with cancer through lodging, transportation, and social assistance. Directly comparable in mission, regional focus, and integrated program model.
• Tucca (Associação para Crianças e Adolescentes com Câncer): São Paulo-based nonprofit supporting pediatric oncology patients and their families through treatment, research, and social assistance. Comparable in integrated service model, donor-supported operations, and pediatric cancer focus.

Broad incumbents

• Confederação Nacional das Instituições de Apoio à Criança e ao Adolescente com Câncer (CONIACC): National confederation representing dozens of regional childhood cancer support institutions across Brazil. Comparable as an umbrella organization coordinating the same type of member institutions Fundação Sara belongs to.

Regional players

• Instituto do Câncer Infantil do RS: Pediatric cancer support organization in Rio Grande do Sul, offering lodging, transportation, and social assistance. Comparable in service mix and nonprofit model but operates in a different Brazilian state.

Others

• Childhood Cancer International: Global umbrella network of childhood cancer parent/patient organizations. Comparable only thematically as the global coordinating body in the same cause area; Fundação Sara could engage as a network participant.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/FundaçãoSaraAlbuquerqueCosta
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundacaosara
• Facebookfacebook.com/FundacaoSara
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundacao-sara-albuquerque-costa

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fundacao Sara Albuquerque Costa