Since its focus of activity was reviewed, starting in 2001, the Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal Foundation (FMCSV) has been concerned with measuring the impact of its work and monitoring its actions in order to constantly improve. This is a pioneering attitude considering that philanthropic activity in Brazil is still at a very early stage and does not have a high level of professional training.
A 2010 study carried out by the Applied Economic Research Institute (Ipea) showed that, even companies more familiar with performance assessment fall short of expectations when it comes to measuring the impact of their social actions. Only 16% of the companies included in the survey claimed to evaluate the social projects that they support.
However, the planning, monitoring and assessment of social projects is considered essential for an intelligent and efficient social investment. As such, FMCSV always invests its own funds for assessment, which is considered an integral part of its projects. FMCSV has its own internal team since 2011 dedicated solely to assessing and monitoring its work.
Two of the main activities developed by the Assessment Team are:
1) The development of a mix of indicators to assess the impact of the Social Projects;
2) The translation, adaptation for Brazil and application of the Early Development Instrument (EDI) created by the Offord Center in Canada that measures the readiness of children between 4 and 6 years old for school.