What Helpo ONGD does

Helpo ONGD (Associação Helpo) is a Portuguese non-governmental organization for development, founded in November 2007 and operational since 2008, headquartered in Cascais, Portugal with field offices in Mozambique (Maputo, Pemba), São Tomé e Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau. The organization addresses poverty through integrated programs in education, maternal-child nutrition and health, and humanitarian emergency response, operating across 101 intervention areas and reaching approximately 146,803 to 181,828 children according to its English and Portuguese sites respectively. Services are delivered through direct field operations including school construction (14-20+ classrooms built), school feeding programs (porridge for 40 children per €55/month), scholarships (765 secondary students supported through the Futuro Maior program), and emergency family reunification (49 families / 331 displaced persons reunited in Cabo Delgado).

Helpo generates revenue through five primary streams: (1) the tiered Child Sponsorship Program (Apadrinhamento) with monthly subscriptions ranging €5-€65 across products like HELPO, HELPO MAIS, FUTURO SUPERIOR, COLETIVO, MATERNO-INFANTIL, and HELPANTO; (2) free one-time donations via website, MB Way, Multibanco, and bank transfer; (3) Portuguese IRS tax consignment allowing taxpayers to direct 0.5-1% of income tax (NIF 507 136 845); (4) corporate partnerships and co-funded projects with GALP, Camões I.P., Pingo Doce, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Fundação Galp, TAP Air Portugal, and Maristas; and (5) solidarity product sales including Christmas presents (€5-€200), books, vinyl records, and the Linha da Vida board game. The go-to-market combines community-led child sponsorship with personal sponsor visits to field sites, direct-to-consumer digital donations, event-driven fundraising through art exhibitions and music collaborations, and retail-channel campaigns across 420+ Pingo Doce stores.

Helpo is not a technology company; its core platform is human-intensive community development rather than a software/SaaS architecture. Distribution relies on a multi-channel mix including the helpo.pt website, email newsletter, Facebook and Instagram, documentaries on TAP Air Portugal entertainment systems, art exhibitions at high-prestige venues (Assembly of Republic, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, Pavilhão do Conhecimento), and an e-commerce storefront at presentessolidarios.helpo.pt. The organization's competitive positioning rests on 15+ years of community embeddedness in target geographies, sustained relationships with major Portuguese institutional funders, and a content/brand library that includes a documentary with a preface by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Name

Helpo ONGD

Legal name

Associação Helpo

Website

https://helpo.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Helpo ONGD is a Portuguese development NGO operating since 2008 across Portugal, Mozambique, São Tomé e Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau, delivering education, maternal-child nutrition, and emergency aid programs reaching approximately 147,000-182,000 children across 101 intervention areas, funded by individual child sponsorships, IRS tax consignment, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Country Development Assistance Programs (Bilateral ODA) (BPADABAA), Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF)

Keywords

• Child sponsorship programs
• Humanitarian development services
• Education nutrition programs
• Maternal child health
• Emergency humanitarian aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Cascais

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Child Sponsorship Programme (Apadrinhamento): Monthly or periodic donations from individual sponsors (padrinhos/madrinhas) supporting specific children or project-based interventions. Generates sustained, predictable income through recurring donations at various commitment levels.
2. Free Donations: One-time or sporadic donations from individuals through various payment channels (bank transfer, MB Way, Multibanco, online payments). Supports specific projects or emergency responses.
3. IRS Tax Consignment (Consignação de IRS): Portuguese taxpayers direct 0.5-1% of their income tax to the organization at no cost. NIF: 507 136 845. Provides significant, recurring government-backed funding without direct solicitation.
4. Corporate Partnerships and Projects: Projects funded by international agencies and companies such as GALP, Camões I.P., Pingo Doce, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, and others. Includes emergency response funding and development program support.
5. Solidarity Products: Sale of solidarity products including Christmas presents (Presentes Solidários), books ('A Aldeia que os Monstros Engoliram'), photographs, vinyl records, and educational games (Linha da Vida). Proceeds fund development projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Helpo ONGD (Associação Helpo) is a Portuguese non-governmental organization for development that operates child sponsorship programs (Apadrinhamento) and free-donation-funded development projects focused on education, maternal-child nutrition and health, humanitarian emergency aid, and global citizenship education. The organization works through 101 intervention areas across Portugal, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau, reaching 181,828 children through tiered sponsorship products, solidarity gift catalogues, school construction, nutrition centers, and emergency response.

Product overview

Helpo ONGD (Associação Helpo) is a non-governmental organization for development operating since 2008 across Portugal, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau. Its core offering is the Child Sponsorship Programme (Apadrinhamento), which funds education, maternal-child nutrition, and humanitarian projects through tiered sponsorship products (HELPO, FUTURO MAIOR, FUTURO SUPERIOR, MARIA MENINA, COLETIVO, and MATERNO-INFANTIL), priced from €5 to €780 monthly or as one-time contributions. The product portfolio is complemented by solidarity gift catalogues (Presentes Solidários), artistic campaigns (Eu Helpo, Tu Helpas), educational games (Linha da Vida), an exhibition/book project (Escola do Caminho Longo), and national and international volunteering programmes. Helpo does not operate as a technology platform or SaaS company; all products are charitable programmes funded by donations, IRS tax consignation, and corporate partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apadrinhamento HELPO Core child sponsorship programme enabling individual donors to support children in Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe through recurring monthly contributions, with welcome packages, progress updates, and field visit opportunities.
• Apadrinhamento FUTURO MAIOR Secondary education sponsorship programme covering enrollment fees, uniforms, and school materials for students in northern Mozambique through a one-time contribution.
• Apadrinhamento FUTURO SUPERIOR Higher education sponsorship programme supporting university-bound students through recurring monthly contributions.
• Apadrinhamento MARIA MENINA c/ Bolsa de Estudo Girl-focused scholarship programme supporting girls' access to education in northern Mozambique through a one-time contribution.
• Apadrinhamento COLETIVO Collective sponsorship programme for community projects in target countries, funded through recurring monthly contributions.
• Apadrinhamento MATERNO-INFANTIL Maternal and child health sponsorship programme funding nutrition centers, prenatal care, malnutrition treatment, and health support for pregnant women and children under 5.
• Presentes Solidários Helpo Online solidarity gift catalogue offering symbolic presents such as school kits, study grants, school meals, and educational materials for children in Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe, with proceeds funding development projects.
• Linha da Vida Board game inspired by the Game of Glory that raises awareness about gender inequalities in girls' education in Mozambique and Angola, with proceeds supporting the Maria Menina project.
• Viagem de Padrinhos a Moçambique / São Tomé e Príncipe Sponsorship travel programme allowing sponsors to visit their sponsored children and Helpo project sites in Mozambique or São Tomé and Príncipe, including flights, accommodation, meals, and guided community visits.
• Oficina de Voluntariado Internacional International volunteering programme with a 300-hour pre-departure training phase in Cascais followed by a minimum 12-month placement in Mozambique or São Tomé and Príncipe.
• Voluntariado Nacional National volunteering programme conducting educational activities at the Ludoteca das Fontainhas in Cascais, including educational games, homework support, holiday camps, and workshops.
• Programa Marias Meninas Project addressing gender-based barriers to education for girls in Nampula (Mozambique) and Moçamedes (Angola) through menstrual health management, awareness workshops, and school re-enrollment support.
• Eu Helpo, Tu Helpas Artistic solidarity campaign featuring a music video by Tatanka, a photo exhibition by Arlindo Camacho, and a vinyl record, with proceeds supporting Helpo's education projects in northern Mozambique.
• Escola do Caminho Longo Exhibition and children's book project documenting the journeys of displaced children from Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, including a photo exhibition and the book 'A Aldeia que os Monstros Engoliram' (The Village the Monsters Swallowed) with a preface by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Quantifiable outcome

• 181,828 children reached through various programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TAP Air PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTAP Air Portugal distributes Helpo's documentary 'Da minha Casa não se vê a Escola' through their onboard entertainment system, reaching international travelers and raising awareness about girls' education challenges in Angola and Mozambique.
• Santa Casa da Misericórdia de LisboaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided venue for 'Eu Helpo, Tu Helpas' exhibition at Complexo de São Roque, Largo Trindade Coelho, supporting Helpo's cultural/awareness-raising activities.
• Pingo DocecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPingo Doce hosts seasonal fundraising campaigns in 420+ stores across Portugal. Customers purchase €1-5 solidarity vouchers at checkout, with Helpo volunteers present to engage shoppers. Campaign raised €51,372 and engaged 455 volunteers.
• Colégio MaristaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaristas partnered on 'Matrícula Gémea' initiative, inviting parents to sponsor scholarships for students in Mozambique when enrolling their own children. Also supports Escola Secundária Marista do Bilene.
• Big Fish - Off the Hook CreativityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative agency that developed 'Futuros Presidentes' and 'Escola do Caminho Longo' projects, providing pro-bono creative services for exhibitions and awareness campaigns.
• Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Centro Ciência VivaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative for International Day of Women and Girls in Science, hosting 'Linha da Vida' board game activity with students, promoting gender equality in STEM education.
• Câmara Municipal de CascaisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner supporting 'Mergulhão' solidarity diving event and providing venue for 'Escola do Caminho Longo' exhibition at Quinta da Alagoa.
• FEC - Fundação Fé e CooperaçãocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Maria Menina project combatting girl school absenteeism in northern Mozambique, with co-funding from Camões I.P. and participation from Cei-Iscte and CESC-Moçambique.
• Instituto Politécnico de LeiriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for 'Valorização da Educação Pré-Escolar em São Tomé e Príncipe' project, providing expertise and collaboration on early childhood education.
• Instituto das Pequenas Missionárias de Maria ImaculadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in emergency response operations in Dombe, Buzi basin, providing operational base for Helpo's emergency mission following Cyclone Idai.
• Diocese of Pemba / Bishop Dom Luiz de LisboaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination with Diocese of Pemba for emergency response operations in Cabo Delgado, facilitating humanitarian access to affected communities.
• Instituto Nacional de Gestão de Calamidades (INGC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMozambique's national disaster management institute coordinating emergency response operations following Cyclone Kenneth.
• VISÃO MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVISÃO magazine partnered as media supporter for 'Escola do Caminho Longo' exhibition, publishing photographs and stories of displaced children from Cabo Delgado.
• Direção Provincial de Educação (Nampula)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment education authority partner for Maria Menina project implementation, ensuring alignment with provincial education priorities and school access.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Vision International: World Vision is the global benchmark for child sponsorship programs (Apadrinhamento) and operates in multiple Lusophone African countries. Its sponsorship-and-field-operations model closely mirrors Helpo's core GTM, though at much larger scale.
• Plan International: Plan International runs child sponsorship programs and girls' education initiatives across Africa, including in Mozambique. Its 'Because I am a Girl' campaign and Maria Menina-type programming overlap with Helpo's gender-focused education efforts.
• UNICEF Mozambique: UNICEF operates a major child-welfare and education program in Mozambique, including in Cabo Delgado. It overlaps with Helpo's target beneficiary population (vulnerable children) and target geographies but at far greater scale and with very different funding mechanisms.
• Save the Children: Save the Children is a major international NGO focused on child rights, education, and emergency response in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its EiE (Education in Emergencies) programming overlaps directly with Helpo's Cabo Delgado emergency response work.

Direct peers

• Caritas Portugal: Caritas Portugal is the Portuguese Catholic humanitarian and development confederation operating in Lusophone Africa with emergency response and long-term development programs. It is structurally comparable to Helpo in donor base, geographic focus, and program mix.
• Médicos do Mundo Portugal: Médicos do Mundo is a Portuguese medical-humanitarian NGO active in Lusophone African countries, sharing Helpo's domestic donor base, geographic footprint, and project-based corporate/foundation funding model.
• ADPP Mozambique: ADPP (Ajuda de Desenvolvimento de Povo para Povo) is a Mozambican-registered NGO operating community development, education, and health programs across Mozambique. Like Helpo, it runs Lusophone-Africa-focused grassroots education and development programs, making it the closest field-operating peer.
• ADRA Portugal: ADRA Portugal is a Portuguese humanitarian NGO with international development and emergency-response programs, including in Lusophone Africa. It draws from a similar Portuguese individual-donor base and competes for the same IRS consignment pool.
• AMI — Assistência Médica Internacional: AMI is a major Portuguese NGO focused on health, humanitarian aid, and development in Portuguese-speaking African countries. It shares Helpo's Portuguese base, Lusophone Africa geographic focus, and individual-donor fundraising model, making it a direct domestic peer.

Others

• Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian is a major Portuguese philanthropic foundation that funds development and education initiatives, including co-funding Helpo programs. As an institutional funder and ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, it is an adjacent enabler peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HELPO-ONGD-111679148800
• Instagraminstagram.com/helpoongd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helpo-ongd

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 Helpo ONGD