For 39 years, the Barranquilla Foundation built a great legacy for the culture and development of the region: it supported the creation of the German Technical School, which years later would be known as the SENA National German-Colombian Center, and together with Andi and Incolda, promoted the establishment of the Universidad del Norte. He also created the José Celestino Mutis Experimental Institute of the Atlantic Educational Foundation and, with funding, promoted new entrepreneurs in the region to take the Colombian Caribbean to a new level.

Undoubtedly, the Santo Domingo family holds a very special place in the history of Barranquilla and the region. For this reason, in 1989, the Barranquilla Foundation changed its name to the Mario Santo Domingo Foundation, in honor of the memory of Mr. Mario Santo Domingo, philanthropist and businessman, who has been an inspiration for his family and the country, by contributing to the welfare of more people and closing inequality gaps.

During the following years, the Foundation led projects together with different private, public, local and national strategic allies. An example of this was the creation of the Corporación Autónoma del Carnaval, which years later would become Carnaval de Barranquilla S.A.; the commitment to the development of Barú Island, to improve housing, health and education conditions in the area, and the beginning of two Social Housing Macroprojects in Cartagena and Barranquilla. The decision was also made to contribute to the preservation of the environment in various regions of the country, and to firmly support education as a banner to generate more opportunities.

After 6 decades of its birth, the Foundation, now Santo Domingo Foundation, consolidates in Colombia, and in 2020 assumes the leadership of a donation of 100 billion pesos given by the Santo Domingo Family, to mitigate the impact of COVID 19 in the country. This donation was managed along three lines: Food Security, Health and Well-being and Coexistence; a macro-operation that involved more than 200 partners nationwide and brought well-being to thousands of families.

Today, after facing years of great uncertainty, we continue working to lead and promote high-impact projects that transform the country in four strategic areas: Education, Health, Environment and Territorial Development. Throughout this journey, with the strong support of the Santo Domingo family and the collaboration of strategic allies, we have contributed to the construction of a more equitable country. However, we still have a long way to go. It is precisely at this time that we must work harder on the socioeconomic recovery of our country, after the great challenges that the pandemic has left us with.

That is why our team is becoming more and more professional in order to contribute to solving more complex social problems. Likewise, companies, governments and civil society are realizing that they have an extended responsibility to the country. The environment, education and health are now part of the conversations of entrepreneurs, who seek partnerships with foundations to generate greater impact and reach.

We have a great opportunity to make high-impact, scalable, far-reaching investments that will generate systemic changes in the country, contribute to meeting the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals, and drive the development of the Colombian Caribbean. It is time to strengthen alliances that build shared value between companies, government and the social sector.

Thanks to you, allies, collaborators and Colombians, who have been part of these sixty years, without your support this story would not have been possible. We invite you to continue working together for a nation where opportunities converge, to improve the quality of life of more families and thus make Colombia more equitable.

José Francisco Aguirre Borda
Executive Director
Fundación Santo Domingo