Fundación John Langdon Down

What Fundación John Langdon Down does

Fundación John Langdon Down A.C. is a Mexican nonprofit civil association founded on April 3, 1972 by Maestra Sylvia G. Escamilla, operating as the first organization of its kind dedicated to people with Down syndrome in Mexico and recognized internationally for organizing the first two World Congresses on Down Syndrome (1981, 1983), which led to the creation of Down Syndrome International (DSI) in London. The foundation delivers an integrated life-cycle service platform from its 4,600 sqm headquarters in Coyoacán, Mexico City — a government-donated 4,750 sqm site opened in 1993 — covering specialized educational advisory across 8 levels, a medical clinic with multidisciplinary specialists (pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, audiology, etc.), a psychology department, the world's only Escuela Mexicana de Arte Down (EMAD) art school with 300+ exhibited works, the Tres 21 Arte-Café labor inclusion program (with 100% of profits reinvested in beneficiaries), and complementary activities including swimming, music, computing, and independent-living workshops. The organization also runs a Programa Foráneo for families outside Mexico City and internationally, plus cultural-diplomacy exhibitions across 48 cities in Asia, Europe, and America, including the European Parliament, UN Palais Wilson, and Palacio de Bellas Artes.

The foundation's business model is donation-led, complemented by three mission-aligned revenue streams: recurring donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations via the donativosfjldown.org portal; Tres 21 Arte-Café sales of baked goods and pastries prepared by Gastronomy Workshop beneficiaries; and EMAD art sales (paintings, lithographs, prints, pyrogravure) through the Kichink online store, catalogs, and physical exhibitions. Pricing for services is not publicly tiered and is handled case-by-case, consistent with a subsidized model serving families of limited economic resources. The foundation is governed by a Patronato formed in 1987 and a Consejo Directivo chaired by Héctor Manuel Montiel Falcón, with Founder-President Sylvia G. Escamilla retaining an active role. It has received multiple high-credibility recognitions including the AAMR Service Award (1999), NDSC Special President's Award (1981), Exceptional Women of Excellence from Women Economic Forum (2024), and the Confío maximum-distinction transparency certification. Distributing channels include direct on-site delivery, the foráneo remote program, physical Tres 21 café locations, two e-commerce storefronts (Kichink and Regalosextraordinariosfjldown.org), and exhibition-based sales at Mexican and international venues.

Name

Fundación John Langdon Down

Legal name

FUNDACIÓN JOHN LANGDON DOWN A.C.

Website

https://fjldown.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fundación John Langdon Down A.C. is a Mexican nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers specialized advisory, medical, psychological, educational, and art services to people with Down syndrome and their families from its Mexico City headquarters, serving 2,500+ students including 1,500 annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability social services and special education

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Services (611), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC)

Keywords

• Disability social services
• Special education programs
• Medical clinic services
• Art education school
• Labor inclusion programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Coyoacan

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a nonprofit organization (AC) relying on donations from individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations to fund its programs. Donation portal available at donativosfjldown.org.
2. Tres 21 Arte-Café Revenue: The café and pastry operation generates revenue through sales of baked goods and food prepared by Gastronomy Workshop beneficiaries. 100% of profits are directed to improving quality of life for people with Down syndrome.
3. Escuela Mexicana de Arte Down Art Sales: Artworks (paintings, lithographs, prints, pirogravados) are sold through Kichink online store, catalogs, and physical exhibitions. Proceeds support the foundation's mission.

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fundación John Langdon Down is a nonprofit foundation that delivers an integrated ecosystem of services for people with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood. Core offerings include specialized educational advisory, a multidisciplinary medical and psychological clinic, the unique-in-the-world Escuela Mexicana de Arte Down (EMAD) art school, and the Tres 21 Arte-Café labor-inclusion program, complemented by remote (Programa Foráneo) and ancillary activities.

Product overview

Fundación John Langdon Down is a non-profit organization offering an integrated service ecosystem for people with Down syndrome and their families. The core offerings include: Asesoría Especializada (specialized educational advisory from birth to adulthood), a Medical Clinic with multidisciplinary specialists, the unique Escuela Mexicana de Arte Down (EMAD) art school, and Tres 21 Arte-Café as a labor inclusion program. Supporting services include a remote/foráneo program, complementary activities (swimming, music, computing), and psychological services. These programs work together to promote human rights, dignity, and the potential of people with Down syndrome throughout their lives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Escuela Mexicana de Arte Down (EMAD): Escuela única en el mundo que forma artistas en diversas técnicas como pintura, grabado, linóleo, aguafuerte y punta seca, litografía y pirograbado. Con acervo de más de 300 obras expuestas en Asia, América y Europa.
• Tres 21 Arte Café

Products and services

• Asesoría Especializada (Specialized Advisory)

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500 people with Down syndrome and families served annually across Mexico
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 core, major, flagship and minor.

• Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999The foundation's medical department is part of the DSMIG of the United States of America and the American Association of Pediatrics. DSMIG, in alliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics, published the Health Guide consensus in September 1999. Doctors at the foundation are international members of this group. The most recent guide revision was published in Pediatrics journal in August 2011.
• Confío (Confío.org.mx)coreOthersConfío analyzed the foundation and certified it meets essential criteria of governance, accountability, and sustainability of the Principles of Transparency and Good Practices, granting the maximum distinction for donation use and organizational transparency.
• Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) / Mexican EmbassiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMAD artworks form part of the cultural program of the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores. Mexican embassies worldwide host EMAD exhibitions, including the Embassy in the Netherlands (2018), Germany (2016), and others. This serves as both cultural diplomacy and exhibition venue partnership.
• European Parliament and European CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2017, the 'Miradas del Alma' exhibition was inaugurated by EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Mexican Ambassador Eloy Cantú Segovia at the European Parliament in Brussels. The same exhibition was shown at the European Commission, making the foundation a recognized cultural diplomacy partner at the highest European institutional level.
• Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple exhibitions held at SEP's Ibero-American Hall. SEP and the foundation collaborated on events commemorating World Down Syndrome Day, with the Secretary of Education participating in inaugurations.
• Palacio de Bellas Artes / Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMAD exhibitions held at Palacio de Bellas Artes (most recently 'Manantial de Amor' in July 2018 at Sala Adamo Boari). INBA Director Lidia Camacho inaugurated the 2018 exhibition. Palacio de Bellas Artes is Mexico's most prestigious cultural venue.
• Instituto Matías Romero (SRE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 2015 'Resplandor del Alma' exhibition was jointly presented by the foundation, the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores through the Instituto Matías Romero, and the Museo de la Cancillería.
• Instituto CervantesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMAD exhibitions held at Instituto Cervantes locations in Munich, Germany (2016) and Tokyo, Japan (2009), as part of the cultural program promoting Mexican art internationally.
• Zentrum Paul KleemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMAD works were exhibited at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland in 2007, one of Europe's most important art centers dedicated to the work of Paul Klee.
• Palais Wilson / UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human RightsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn March 2007, EMAD works were exhibited at Palais Wilson, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, inaugurated by High Commissioner Louise Arbour, as part of World Down Syndrome Day celebrations.
• Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMAD held a major exhibition at the Mexican Stock Exchange in July 2017, with the traditional opening bell rung instead of a ribbon cutting. DG José Oriol Bosch inaugurated the exhibition featuring paintings and prints for sale.
• Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities, University of ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibition 'Artistas sin Fronteras' supported by the CU Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities in 2002-2003. Bill and Claudia Coleman attended the 2002 inauguration alongside the Mexican Consul in Denver.
• OHL (OHL México)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOHL provided support for the 2017 Circuit of Open Galleries exhibition along Paseo de la Reforma. OHL México Director Sergio Hidalgo Monroy spoke at the inauguration.
• Vanderbilt University / John F. Kennedy CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 1999-2001, 'Los Colores' exhibition was presented at the Kennedy Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with support from the university. Supported by the Alberta Association of Rehabilitation Centres in 2001.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GiGi's Playhouse: US network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers offering free educational, therapeutic, and developmental programs. Closely comparable as a multi-service Down syndrome support organization with both direct programs and a franchise-style expansion model.
• Down Syndrome Education International: International organization focused on Down syndrome education research and programs. Comparable as a specialized education and research-driven Down syndrome organization operating across multiple countries.
• Asociación Mexicana de Síndrome de Down: Mexican Down syndrome association providing support services and advocacy. Direct peer operating in the same country with overlapping mission of supporting people with Down syndrome and their families.

Broad incumbents

• National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC): US national Down syndrome organization that has recognized FJLD with the Special President's Award (1981). Directly comparable mission and scope, providing education, resources, and annual conventions for the Down syndrome community.
• Global Down Syndrome Foundation: US-based major Down syndrome research, medical care, and advocacy foundation. Comparable in mission scope (medical, research, family support) and operating scale as a large national foundation serving the Down syndrome community.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): US-based national advocacy and support organization for people with Down syndrome. Directly comparable as a large-scale Down-syndrome-focused nonprofit with programs spanning advocacy, education, and community support, though it serves the US rather than Mexico.
• Down Syndrome International (DSI): London-based international Down syndrome organization co-founded through FJLD's World Congresses (1981, 1983). Directly comparable as the global coordinating body for Down syndrome advocacy and World Down Syndrome Day, with which FJLD has institutional ties.

Regional players

• Canadian Down Syndrome Society: Canadian national Down syndrome organization providing resources, advocacy, and community programs. Comparable mission and nonprofit structure, operating in a different geography from FJLD's Mexico-centric base.
• Club de Amigos Down A.C. Mexican nonprofit dedicated to social and labor inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Comparable as a Mexico-based Down syndrome civil association with overlapping inclusion-focused programming, though smaller in scale than FJLD.
• Fundación Síndrome de Down del Caribe: Latin American Down syndrome foundation operating in the Caribbean region. Comparable as a regional nonprofit serving people with Down syndrome through education and family support, with similar mission alignment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fjldown
• Facebookfacebook.com/fundacion.johnlangdondown
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundaci%C3%B3n-john-landon-down
• Instagraminstagram.com/fjldown

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fundación John Langdon Down