Fundação Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal

Fundação Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal (FMCSV) is a private, non-profit family foundation headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. Originally established in 1965 as a tribute to Maria Cecília, who passed away at age 12 from leukemia, the foundation spent nearly four decades in hematology and hemotherapy before redefining its mission in 2007 to focus entirely on early childhood development for children up to age six.

FMCSV's work is grounded in neuroscience—specifically the understanding that 90% of brain connections form in the first six years of life and that early experiences have lifelong impacts. The foundation pursues two core strategies: advancing public policies for early childhood and mobilizing broader society around the issue. It is also internationally aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2, which calls for universal access to quality early childhood development and pre-primary education.

Key programs include São Paulo pela Primeiríssima Infância, which operates across municipalities to change professional practices in Health, Education, and Social Assistance. The foundation also partners with FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) on scientific and technological cooperation, produces a Digital Collection of original and translated publications, and trains media professionals on early childhood topics. It maintains a substantial social media presence, with over 259,000 Facebook followers and 122,000 on Instagram.

Innovations in early childhood education, neuroscience-based interventions, or public policy tools for child development are directly relevant to FMCSV's core mission and strategic priorities.