Santa Casa da Misericordia

What Santa Casa da Misericordia does

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Albufeira is a Portuguese non-profit IPSS (Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social) founded circa 1498 and headquartered in Albufeira, Algarve, that operates one of the country's oldest continuously functioning charitable institutions. It delivers a comprehensive, integrated social services platform covering the full lifecycle: childcare (Creche Tempos de Infância, Centro Infantil Quinta dos Pardais, Equipamento Social Olhos de Água), child and youth residential care (Casa de Acolhimento A Gaivota, Os Pirilampos), family support (CAFAP), elderly care (SAD, Centro de Dia, and ERPI O Roseiral), mental health (Unidade de Vida Apoiada Casa da Paz, Fórum Sócio-Ocupacional), disability services (Lar Residencial São Vicente, Ateliês Ocupacionais, Unidade de Reabilitação Profissional), food aid (Cantina Social O Manjar, Loja Social Baú dos Mimos, Ajuda Alimentar), and certified professional training (Centro de Formação Espaço Bússola, GIP, CAPACITAR). The institution serves over 500 beneficiaries across more than 11 facilities spread across the Albufeira municipality, governed by a Provedora and a Mesa Administrativa under bylaws (Compromisso) most recently revised in 2015.

The business model is a non-profit hybrid of public-sector contracts, tax-donation flows, and corporate philanthropy. The largest revenue stream is government funding from Portuguese social security for delivering IPSS-licensed care services, supplemented by monetary donations (including the IRS Solidário program, through which Portuguese taxpayers can allocate 0.5% of income tax to the institution), corporate partnerships (Lidl, AlgarveShopping, EY, Banco BPI, Petchey/MGM, RCI), and modest income from certified training delivery. The organization is also a delivery partner in international projects such as the NECTAR ERASMUS+ therapeutic cooking program (2022) alongside the University of Algarve. No commercial pricing model, revenue figure, or financial KPIs are disclosed. The underlying technology is characterized as a generic social-services management platform with no proprietary features, AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or digital product surface beyond the public website and newsletter.

The institution's go-to-market is community-led direct service delivery: beneficiaries are referred through public social services, families, and partner organizations, while donations and volunteers are sourced via the website, community events, and corporate CSR programs. Recent strategic emphasis has been on social innovation projects (sQIlls, Arte pela Inclusão, N'HortA, ECOS, Criar+) and international program participation rather than digital transformation, consistent with a labor-intensive, regionally embedded social welfare provider.

Name

Santa Casa da Misericordia

Legal name

Santa Casa da Misericordia de Albufeira

Website

https://misericordiaalbufeira.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Albufeira is a 527-year-old Portuguese non-profit IPSS delivering integrated social services across childcare, elderly care, mental health, disability, and professional training to over 500 beneficiaries across the Albufeira municipality.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Welfare Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services (BPAGAEAE)

Keywords

• Social services nonprofit
• Elderly care services
• Childcare and youth care
• Disability support services
• Professional training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Albufeira

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. IRS Solidário (Tax Donations): Citizens can donate 0.5% of their income tax to the institution through their annual tax returns, at no additional cost to the donor.
2. Social Services Funding: Funding from government social programs and public contracts for providing care services to vulnerable populations.
3. Monetary Donations: Direct monetary donations from individuals and organizations via bank transfer, deposits, or PayPal. Donors can designate their donations to specific causes within the institution.
4. Social Cantina and Food Aid: Food assistance programs funded through partnerships and public support programs (PO APMC).
5. Training Services: Professional training and certification programs through Centro de Formação Espaço Bússola, including both certified and non-certified courses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Santa Casa da Misericordia de Albufeira delivers a comprehensive suite of social welfare services through its own network of facilities across the Albufeira municipality, including childcare, residential and home-based elderly care, mental health support, disability services, family counseling, food assistance, and professional training. The institution is funded through a combination of government social security contracts, public program partnerships, individual donations (including IRS Solidário tax allocation), and corporate partnerships. Services are primarily delivered to vulnerable populations free of charge or on a subsidized basis, reflecting the institution's nonprofit mission.

Product overview

Santa Casa da Misericordia de Albufeira operates as a comprehensive social welfare institution offering a diverse portfolio of services organized across multiple social intervention areas. The core services include childcare (Creche Tempos de Infância, Centro Infantil Quinta dos Pardais, Equipamento Social Olhos de Água - Creche), child and youth residential care (Casa de Acolhimento A Gaivota, Casa de Acolhimento Os Pirilampos, CAFAP), senior care (Serviço de Apoio Domiciliário O Roseiral, Centro de Dia O Roseiral, ERPI O Roseiral), mental health services (Unidade de Vida Apoiada Casa da Paz, Fórum Sócio-Ocupacional Casa da Paz), and disability services (Lar Residencial São Vicente, Ateliês Ocupacionais São Vicente, Unidade de Reabilitação Profissional). The institution also provides training and employment support through Centro de Formação Espaço Bússola, GIP, and projects like Criar+ and Capacitar. Social support services include Cantina Social O Manjar, Loja Social Baú dos Mimos, and Ajuda Alimentar. Innovation projects include Nectar (specialized therapeutic cooking training), sQIlls (educational innovation), and Arte pela Inclusão (art for social inclusion). The institution functions as a platform of interconnected social services rather than a single product, with various specialized modules addressing different population needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Projeto CAPACITAR: Training and qualification project for the Algarve region, having benefited over 350 participants in creating learning and employment opportunities.
• Projeto SQIlls
• Nectar
• Arte pela Inclusao
• N'HRTA
• ECOS
• Centro de Formacao Espaco Bussola
• Voluntarios do Coracao
• Inverno Mais Quente
• IRS Solidario

Products and services

• Creche Tempos de Infância Early childhood education and care service for children from 3.5 months to 3 years, providing socio-educational and recreational activities.
• Centro Infantil Quinta dos Pardais Childcare center providing early childhood education services for children.
• Equipamento Social Olhos de Água - Creche Social facility in Olhos de Água providing childcare services for children from 3.5 months to 3 years, with capacity for 46 children.
• Casa de Acolhimento Os Pirilampos Residential care for children in situations of risk or danger, accommodating up to 17 children up to 12 years old, providing lodging, hygiene, clothing, school support, and psychological support.
• Casa de Acolhimento A Gaivota Residential care service for children and youth in situations of risk or danger.
• Centro de Apoio Familiar e Aconselhamento Parental (CAFAP) Family support and parental counseling center providing assistance to families in need.
• Serviço de Apoio Domiciliário (SAD) O Roseiral Home-based care service providing hygiene, comfort, and nutrition care to dependent individuals in their homes.
• Centro de Dia O Roseiral Day care center for seniors providing daily activities and support services.
• Estrutura Residencial para Pessoas Idosas (ERPI) O Roseiral Residential structure for elderly people providing permanent housing and care.
• Equipamento Social Olhos de Água - Centro de Dia Day care center for seniors located in Olhos de Água.
• Equipamento Social Olhos de Água - SAD Home-based care service for elderly and dependent individuals located in Olhos de Água.
• Equipamento Social Olhos de Água - ERPI Residential structure for elderly people located in Olhos de Água.
• Unidade de Vida Apoiada Casa da Paz Supported living unit for individuals with mental health conditions, providing therapeutic and rehabilitation support.
• Fórum Sócio-Ocupacional Casa da Paz Socio-occupational forum providing rehabilitation activities for individuals with mental health conditions.
• Lar Residencial São Vicente Residential care for people with disabilities, providing accommodation and support services.
• Ateliês Ocupacionais São Vicente Occupational workshops providing meaningful activities and skills development for people with disabilities.
• Unidade de Reabilitação Profissional Professional rehabilitation unit helping people with disabilities gain employment skills and integration support.
• Centro de Formação Espaço Bússola Training center providing certified professional development courses and skills training.
• Gabinete de Inserção Profissional (GIP) Professional insertion office providing employment support, job search assistance, and vocational guidance.
• Gabinete de Inserção Social (GIS) Social insertion office providing social support and community integration assistance.
• Cantina Social O Manjar Social dining hall providing meals to individuals and families in situation of social need.
• Loja Social Baú dos Mimos Social store providing clothing and household items to families in need at reduced or no cost.
• Ajuda Alimentar (PO APMC) Food assistance program providing food support to individuals and families in need.
• Projeto CAPACITAR Training and qualification project that has benefited over 350 people, creating learning opportunities in the Algarve region.
• Nectar - Specialization in Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Cooking ERASMUS+ specialized training program in rehabilitation/therapeutic cooking, forming professionals to prepare meals adapted to specific nutritional and texture needs of clients with health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 350 trainees benefited from CAPACITAR training project
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universidade do Algarve (UALG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Partnership in the NECTAR ERASMUS+ project for specialized training in rehabilitation/therapeutic cooking. SCMA implemented the pilot course in Portugal, with UAlg as academic partner.
• ERASMUS+ Consortium (Austria, Belgium, Italy, Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for the NECTAR project focused on training professionals in therapeutic cooking for elderly and health care settings.
• Municipality of AlbufeiracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal support for various social programs and initiatives including the Procissão dos Painéis during Holy Week.
• IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for professional training programs and internship placements (Estágios +Talento) for job seekers.
• LIDL PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in 'Mais para Todos' food donation campaign that collected supplies for institution beneficiaries.
• AlgarveShopping (Sonae Sierra)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for fundraising events and facility donations including renovation of Creche Tempos de Infância.
• Ernst & Young PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program where 430 employees participated in facility renovation projects for children's homes.
• Petchey Leisure / MGM GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel group partner for solidarity events and donations to children's homes.
• RCI PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for volunteer activities including therapy sessions and team-building events for children.
• Banco BPIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank partner that provides Christmas donations to children and youth in foster care.
• Associação Nova DimensãominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner for 'Novo Estudante' school supplies donation project supporting 100 children.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Faro: Regional Algarve-based Misericórdia with a similar lifecycle service portfolio. Most direct geographic peer to SCMA, competing for the same donor base, municipal contracts, and beneficiary population in the Algarve.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Loulé: Neighboring Algarve Misericórdia operating in Loulé municipality with comparable service portfolio (elderly, childcare, social support). Direct competitor for Algarve-region contracts and beneficiaries.
• Cáritas Portuguesa: National Catholic charitable organization delivering social services including food aid, family support, elderly care, and community programs. Comparable in funding mix (donations, public partnerships), beneficiary scope, and nonprofit IPSS-style structure.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto: Major regional Misericórdia providing parallel social, elderly, and community services in northern Portugal. Highly comparable in operating model (IPSS, comprehensive services, public contracts, donations) and serves as a benchmark for institutional scale.

Regional players

• Centro Social e Paroquial de Nossa Senhora da Guia: Local parish-based social services provider in the Albufeira region offering childcare, elderly support, and community programs. Comparable in service mix and scale, competing for the same municipal and donor pool.
• APCC — Associação Portuguesa de Paralisia Cerebral: Portuguese nonprofit providing services to people with cerebral palsy and disabilities, including residential care, occupational workshops, and rehabilitation. Directly comparable to SCMA's disability services (Lar Residencial São Vicente, occupational workshops).

Broad incumbents

• Fundação Champalimaud: Portuguese charitable foundation operating healthcare, social, and research programs. Comparable in nonprofit model and social mission execution at scale, though more focused on health and research.
• Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa: Portuguese Red Cross — national nonprofit delivering social, elderly, emergency relief, and health services. Comparable in donor-funded social services model and beneficiary categories, with significantly broader geographic footprint.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa: The flagship and largest of Portugal's Misericórdias, providing a similar comprehensive range of social services (healthcare, elderly care, social assistance) across Lisbon. Directly comparable in mission, service breadth, and IPSS structure, but operates at far greater scale.

Emerging players

• Associação Nacional de Cuidados Informais (ANCI): Portuguese association supporting informal caregivers of elderly and disabled populations. Comparable in target beneficiary segments (elderly, disabled) and family support services, though focused on caregiver support rather than direct service provision.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Santa Casa da Misericordia