Ajudaris - Associação de Solidariedade Social

What Ajudaris - Associação de Solidariedade Social does

Ajudaris - Associação de Solidariedade Social is a Portuguese non-profit social solidarity institution (IPSS - Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social) headquartered in Porto, founded in July 2008 by a group of volunteers who had been performing social intervention work in Greater Porto. Recognized as an Institution of Public Utility in October 2008, it operates at national scope across Portugal's Norte, Centro, Lisboa, Alentejo, and Algarve regions, addressing hunger, poverty, and social exclusion through a portfolio of programs. Core offerings include Histórias da Ajudaris (a literacy project where children become published authors of illustrated stories), S.O.S. Fome (food assistance), Clube Arco-íris (holiday camps for disadvantaged children), A(r)Riscar and CriATIVOS (creative youth development), Livros para o Futuro (book distribution), Juntos a criar histórias felizes (hospitalized children programs), and a community library (Ribeira de Histórias). The organization employs 18 staff and operates through a network of corporate sponsors, schools, hospitals, volunteer illustrators, and academic partners.

Revenue is generated through a diversified non-profit model: individual donations (via bank transfer, MBWay, and IBAN), the Portuguese IRS tax consignação scheme (1% of taxpayer IRS assigned at no cost), corporate sponsorships and CSR partnerships, merchandise sales through the Loja dos Afetos online shop and Pingo Doce retail distribution, and event-based fundraising (tickets for Stand Up Comedy Solidário at 6 euros, workshops, and the International Colloquium series). Distribution is multi-channel: direct program delivery at schools, hospitals, and community centers nationally; e-commerce via own storefront and crowdfunding platform PPL; retail through Pingo Doce supermarkets; and digital donations. Pricing is unit-based where applicable (event tickets, books) and donation-based for charitable contributions, with no subscription or membership model. The organization does not publicly disclose financial figures and is governed by elected volunteer Social Bodies on four-year terms.

Name

Ajudaris - Associação de Solidariedade Social

Legal name

Ajudaris - Associação de Solidariedade Social

Website

https://ajudaris.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ajudaris is a Portuguese non-profit social solidarity institution (IPSS) founded in 2008 in Porto, operating national programs against hunger, poverty, and social exclusion. It serves vulnerable children, families, schools, and hospitals through literacy, food assistance, and creative education initiatives funded by donations, IRS tax contributions, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Charitable Programs

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210), Educational Support Services (611710), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA) and Emergency Livelihood Support (BPAGAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Assistance & Safety Nets (In-Kind, Vouchers, Cash Transfers) (BPADAJAA), Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support) (EDAJALAD)

Keywords

• Social solidarity services
• Children literacy programs
• Food assistance charity
• Community volunteering
• Nonprofit social intervention

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Ajudaris relies primarily on donations from individuals, companies, and organizations. Donations can be made via bank transfer (IBAN PT50 0035 0651 0053 2374 9305 9 at CGD), MBWay (934132595), and the IRS tax donation scheme (1% do IRS). The organization also receives support through corporate sponsorships and partnerships.
2. Merchandise Sales - Loja dos Afetos: Sale of books (Histórias da Ajudaris series), sabonetes (soaps), cadernos (notebooks), and other products created by beneficiaries. Books are sold through the organization's shop, at Pingo Doce stores across Portugal, and at events.
3. IRS Tax Donation (Consignação): Portuguese taxpayers can donate 1% of their IRS to Ajudaris at no cost, providing a recurring revenue stream from individual taxpayers.
4. Event-based Fundraising: Revenue generated from events such as Stand Up Comedy Solidário (6 euros per ticket), workshops, conferences (Colóquios Internacionais), and cultural activities.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ajudaris is a Portuguese social solidarity association (IPSS) that delivers charitable programs combating hunger, poverty, and social exclusion. Its core offerings include the 'Histórias da Ajudaris' children's literacy and storytelling project (which publishes books created by children and distributed through Pingo Doce), holiday camps for disadvantaged children (Clube Arco-íris), emergency food assistance (S.O.S. Fome), creative youth programs (criATIVOS, A(r)Riscar), books for hospitalized children (Juntos a criar histórias felizes), and an online/retail merchandise store (Loja dos Afetos) that channels proceeds back into the charitable mission.

Product overview

Ajudaris is a social solidarity association (IPSS) offering a portfolio of charitable programs rather than a technology product. The core offerings include the Histórias da Ajudaris literacy project where children create illustrated stories; the Clube Arco-íris holiday camp program; S.O.S. Fome food assistance; A(r)Riscar and CriATIVOS creative youth programs; Livros para o Futuro book distribution; and the community library Ribeira de Histórias. Supporting initiatives include the Loja dos Afetos merchandise store, Juntos a criar histórias felices for hospitalized children, Maratona de Histórias storytelling events, and Leituras que Quebram Muros reading programs. The organization operates as a unified portfolio of social intervention programs rather than a platform-based product architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Histórias da Ajudaris: A project that promotes reading, writing, art and solidarity where children become authors of enchanting stories with themes like solidarity, affection, citizenship, environment, values, and animals. Each story features a solidary illustrator.
• Clube Arco-íris
• S.O.S. Fome
• criATIVOS
• A(r)Riscar
• Livros para o Futuro
• Juntos a criar histórias felizes
• Maratona de Histórias
• Leituras que Quebram Muros
• Biblioteca comunitária Ribeira de Histórias
• Loja dos Afetos

Products and services

• Histórias da Ajudaris A literacy and creativity program where children become authors of illustrated stories on themes such as solidarity, affection, citizenship, environment, values, and animals, with teacher guidance and volunteer illustrators, published as books that fund charitable causes.
• Clube Arco-íris Holiday camp program providing recreational, educational, and cultural activities (photography, arts, storytelling) for children from disadvantaged backgrounds during school vacation periods.
• S.O.S. Fome Emergency food assistance program distributing food supplies to vulnerable families and populations facing hunger and food insecurity across Portugal.
• A(r)Riscar Creative project celebrating and rewarding the creativity and determination of young people through artistic expression and recognition.
• criATIVOS Program developing skills, talents, and opportunities for children and youth through creative activities and artistic expression.
• Livros para o Futuro Book donation and distribution project providing literature to children, youth, and educational institutions in underserved communities.
• Juntos a criar histórias felizes Project bringing books, markers, and storytelling materials to hospitalized children, with 54 hospitals sponsored by 54 corporate partners to brighten pediatric hospital experiences.
• Maratona de Histórias Story marathon event promoting reading, writing, and literary appreciation among children and communities.
• Leituras que Quebram Muros Reading initiative promoting literacy and community connection through literature that bridges social divides.
• Biblioteca comunitária Ribeira de Histórias Community library providing accessible reading resources and hosting literary events, workshops, and author meetings.
• Loja dos Afetos Online and physical merchandise store selling books, soaps, notebooks, and other items created by beneficiaries, with proceeds supporting Ajudaris's charitable programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 54 hospitals supported with books for hospitalized children
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 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 minor and core.

• Águas de PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Ajudaris activities. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• Vila GaléminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Ajudaris activities. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• Real Vida SegurosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Ajudaris activities. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• Fundação Calouste GulbenkianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner supporting Ajudaris activities. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• ACAPO - Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de PortugalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtocol established for acceptance and monitoring of trainees in professional context, contributing to their integration into the labor market.
• Centro de Formação Guilhermina SuggiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for delivering teacher training actions and professional development courses. Multiple actions delivered jointly including workshops on storytelling, creative writing, and educational topics.
• Escola Superior de Educação de SetúbalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that provides accreditation for training actions and collaborates on International Colloquia (Ler e Ser series).
• Piet GroblerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African illustrator of nearly 100 books and winner of international prizes. Conducts online workshops for Ajudaris on illustration and art.
• Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do PortominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on the International Colloquium series and educational initiatives.
• Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico do PortominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the International Colloquium series.
• Rede de Bibliotecas EscolaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool Libraries Network partner collaborating on the International Colloquium.
• Pingo DocecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail distribution partner selling Histórias da Ajudaris books through hundreds of stores across Portugal.
• 54 Companies Sponsors (Juntos a criar histórias felizes)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors that have each adopted a hospital (54 total) to support the 'Juntos a criar histórias felizes' project for hospitalized children.
• JP GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Ajudaris activities. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• Águas de GondomarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Ajudaris activities. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• LIDERGRAFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Ajudaris activities. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• APDL - Administração dos Portos do Douro, Leixões e Viana do CastelominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPort administration company partner. Listed among partners on the organization's website.
• Critical TechWorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company that conducted a volunteer afternoon with Ajudaris team, providing employee volunteering support.
• Biblioteca Municipal de EstarrejaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted exhibition of Histórias da Ajudaris illustrations between February-March 2014.
• Câmara Municipal do PortominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal government partner collaborating on events including the Arca de Natal initiative and International Colloquium.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Banco Alimentar contra a Fome: Portuguese food bank network distributing food to vulnerable populations. Highly comparable to Ajudaris's S.O.S. Fome program — both operate food assistance channels nationally and compete for the same donor base and supermarket partnership pool.
• Make-A-Wish Portugal: Portuguese chapter of the global charity fulfilling wishes for hospitalized children. Directly comparable to Ajudaris's 'Juntos a criar histórias felizes' program — both serve hospitalized children, compete for hospital partnerships, and rely on corporate sponsorship models.
• Operação Nariz Vermelho: Portuguese nonprofit bringing entertainment and joy to hospitalized children through professional clown performers. Directly comparable to Ajudaris's hospital program — operates in the same hospital pediatric beneficiary space and competes for the same corporate CSR funding.

Broad incumbents

• UNICEF Portugal: Portuguese committee of the global child welfare organization. Comparable as a national nonprofit focused on children's welfare, education, and rights — competing for individual donor and corporate CSR funds in Portugal.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Porto: Historic Portuguese social solidarity institution operating in Porto with multi-vertical social programs including social services, healthcare, and education. Comparable as a same-city IPSS with overlapping beneficiary programs and similar donor ecosystem.
• Cáritas Portugal: Portuguese Catholic nonprofit network providing social assistance, food aid, and support to vulnerable populations. Directly comparable as a national IPSS with food security and social inclusion programs competing for the same donor and corporate CSR pool.

Others

• Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian: Major Portuguese philanthropic foundation funding education, social welfare, and arts initiatives. Comparable as a partner/funding relationship and as a benchmark for scaled institutional philanthropy in Portugal.

Regional players

• Liga Portuguesa contra o Cancro: Major Portuguese cancer nonprofit providing patient support and awareness. Comparable as a national IPSS-style nonprofit with national footprint, multi-program structure, and similar donation-driven revenue model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqhfnTn4RTSXEzuQ998jLcQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/associacaoajudaris
• Instagraminstagram.com/ajudaris
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ajudaris

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Ajudaris - Associação de Solidariedade Social