Fundación Mario Santo Domingo is a private non-profit organization that was founded on April 20, 1960, in Barranquilla, northern Colombia. FMSD is dedicated to developing programs for underprivileged sectors of Colombian society, and is currently active in Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bogotá and areas surrounding those cities. As well as numerous social programs, FMSD also has a microfinance program to strengthen micro-businesses in the areas where FMSD works. FMSD also has a long history of non-financial components to its microfinance program, including training to enable entrepreneurs to start their own businesses.
Mission
Promote the common good and bring about social development on a national level through support for educational, cultural, charitable and health-related activities and programs, scientific and technological research, the creation of jobs and income, and all other activities that contribute to improving the quality of life of the general population, especially within the poorest communities.
Vision
FMSD will become a national leader in development programs by offering financial support and training for micro and small businesses in Colombia and by providing comprehensive development programs in poor communities. FMSD will receive international recognition for its social programs from funding organizations.
PROGRAMS
1. MICROFINANCE
This program is intended to stimulate and strengthen income generation and employment by providing business development programs. Microfinance services are offered through satellite offices called Customer Service Centers (CAUs); these centers are located near the communities they serve, in accordance with FMSD’s institutional objectives, and provide both financial and non-financial services
Financial component. Small businesses have access to the following products:
Non-financial component. This component is directed towards small business owners and entrepreneurs, and is intended to promote innovative processes in order to strengthen business operations on the organizational, administrative, marketing and technological levels.
FMSD offers the following non-financial products:
Administrative consulting: To guide organizational operations for established businesses and help entrepreneurs develop business plans
Assistance in implementing technological processes: To improve and implement best practices in terms of specific processes as well as technical training and improvement
Entrepreneurial business formation: To form entrepreneurs and help make their business ideas viable before initiating operations
Marketing: To assist micro-entrepreneurial management with marketing processes through the Marketing Management Unit
Entrepreneurial knowledge and technology teams: To facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience between current and future small business owners on a national and international level
2. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
This program is currently underway in marginalized areas of Barranquilla, Cartagena and the Island of Barú, on Colombia’s Atlantic Coast. Since the program’s launch, it has helped nearly 50,000 people improve their living conditions through improvements in housing, health, education, the environment and communal development. Housing programs are funded through housing subsidies provided by the national government. With the support of FMSD’s consulting team, families improve and expand their own homes.
