Does Umane have any relationship with, or receive funds from, Hospital Samaritano?

No. Umane’s operations and governance are entirely independent.Since the full sale of Hospital Samaritano’s assets in 2016, Umane has had no relationship or direct partnership with the hospital, nor does it receive funds from third parties or any other institution.

Umane and its philanthropic activities are funded exclusively by the annual returns generated by its endowment fund, which was established using the full proceeds from the sale of Hospital Samaritano’s assets.The fund’s returns ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability, preserve its patrimony, and support its social mission. Umane does not receive external funding.

What are Umane’s social objectives?

Umane is an independent, nonprofit civil association certified by the Ministry of Health. Its social objectives focus on philanthropic initiatives that strengthen the public health system, improve the quality of life of people living in Brazil, and align with its three programmatic areas:Comprehensive Care for Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs) Program:Initiatives addressing modifiable risk factors (such as smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and inadequate nutrition), screening, increased access to care and diagnosis, and the management and monitoring of NCDs within Primary Health Care.Primary Health Care Strengthening (PHC) Program:Initiatives aimed at operational improvements, work processes, team productivity, service integration, institutional capacity-building in public health, and the adoption of data, new solutions, and emerging technologies — with Primary Health Care as the coordinating axis of the health system.Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health Program:Initiatives that monitor pregnancy to assess risks and prevent adverse outcomes, and that support the prevention, management, and monitoring of children’s and adolescents’ health conditions related to NCDs and their modifiable risk factors.

Does Umane request anything in return from supported projects?

No. Umane does not require any form of compensation from supported institutions, except for the agreed-upon deliverables necessary for the execution of the project’s work plan and achievement of expected results.Support is granted exclusively to projects that meet Umane’s criteria and indicators and that align with its programmatic focus on improving public health.

Does Umane establish partnerships with public administration?

Yes. Umane forms partnerships with public administration through instruments such as Technical Cooperation Agreements without financial transfers.These partnerships exist solely to pursue the social objectives stated in its Bylaws. Umane does not receive or transfer public funds — 100% of its resources come from its private endowment fund.

How is Umane’s governance structured?

Umane’s governance consists of:A body of Associates: The institution’s sovereign body, which meets annually in a General Assembly.A Board of Directors: The organization’s senior deliberative body, composed of members recognized in their respective fields.An Executive Board: Responsible for day-to-day management and legal representation of the organization.Technical committees supporting the Board of Directors:Finance and Investment CommitteePhilanthropy CommitteeCompliance, Governance, Audit, and Ethics CommitteeNominating Committee

Does Umane compensate associates, board members, directors, or committee members?

No. Umane does not provide remuneration, profit distribution, bonuses, or benefits of any kind — directly or indirectly — to associates, board members, directors, or committee members for the roles and responsibilities established in its Bylaws.

Is Umane affiliated with any political party or ideological orientation?

No. Umane is a nonpartisan institution and does not favor any political orientation.The principles of independence and nonpartisanship guide its actions, and the organization is prohibited from engaging in political-party or electoral campaigns.

How do I request Umane’s support for a project?

Umane operates through a model of local implementing partners, working with organizations that share the mission of promoting health promotion and prevention actions. It does not provide donations outside its programmatic areas or directly to individuals.Project support is usually carried out through donations made directly to implementing partners or through contracts with private service providers. All proposals are evaluated based on an institutional guideline process.If you still have questions, contact us at contato@umane.org.br.

What types of institutions and projects does Umane fund?

Umane supports projects from civil society organizations and/or nonprofit institutions whose goal is to positively impact public health, according to its three programmatic areas:• Comprehensive Care for Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs) Program: initiatives aimed at controlling modifiable risk factors (such as smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diet), screening, increasing access to health and diagnosis, and managing NCDs in Primary Health Care;• Primary Health Care Strengthening (PHC) Program: initiatives that promote operational improvements, work process organization, team productivity, service integration, institutional capacity-building in public health, and the incorporation of data use and new technologies into the system, with PHC as the coordinator of care;• Fostering Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health Program: initiatives that monitor pregnancy, assess and prevent risks, and promote prevention, management, and monitoring of health conditions in children and adolescents within the context of NCDs and their modifiable risk factors.Learn more about Umane.

What types of institutions and projects does Umane not fund?

Umane does not fund:Projects that do not fall within its programmatic areas (NCDs, PHC strengthening, and women’s/children’s/adolescents’ health);Projects aimed at hospital care or exclusively assistential approaches;Projects from individuals;Events or task forces.Additionally, Umane does not transfer or receive financial resources from the public sector or government institutions.

What are Umane’s project selection formats?

Umane selects projects through calls for proposals, qualified prospecting, active search, referrals, or spontaneous interest from potential partners.

What are the phases for submitting project support requests, and who decides on investments?

The submission phases vary depending on the project type and scope.Call for Proposals: follows predefined criteria described in the call itself.Qualified prospecting, active search, referral, or spontaneous demand:After initial contact, the proposing organization sends the requested information. Meetings are held for presentation and clarification. If the project aligns with Umane’s strategy, the proponent receives the standard documentation for completion.A logical framework of indicators is then jointly developed, and the project is presented to the Philanthropy Committee.With the committee’s recommendation, the proposal is sent to the Executive Board and the Board of Directors. After approval, conditions are agreed upon, the contract is signed, and support begins.

How long does it usually take for a project support request to be approved?

Approval can take 3 to 12 months, depending on:Accuracy and completeness of the required documents;Technical maturity of the proposal;Operational feasibility;External factors such as negotiations with the public sector;Participation of cofunders;Maturity of the proponent in project management.

What type of contract is signed between Umane and the supported project?

Umane commonly uses Donation Agreements with Obligations, though other formats may also be applied. These contracts are established with implementing organizations and ensure donated resources are used efficiently and aligned with Umane’s guidelines.

How are the results of a funded project measured?

Evaluation is carried out through a logical evaluation framework jointly developed between the proponent and the Monitoring & Evaluation team.This framework outlines the sequence of outputs and outcomes and includes specific indicators to track progress, measured through monitoring data and, when necessary, additional data collection.Learn more about Monitoring & Evaluation.

Can I resubmit a proposal that was previously rejected?

Generally, Umane does not recommend resubmitting a rejected proposal. The institution’s decisions are conclusive and ensure resources are directed to aligned projects.However, proponents may submit new and different proposals in the future.

Can I access documentation from previously supported projects?

Umane does not release full documentation of supported projects.However, by reading this FAQ, exploring the “How We Work – Operating Model” section, and reviewing the supported projects, you can better understand Umane’s criteria and processes.

What is the duration of Umane’s support for projects?

The duration varies according to expected objectives and outcomes and may last from a few months to several years.

In which regions does Umane operate?

Umane supports initiatives throughout the entire Brazilian territory.

Comprehensive Care for Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs) Program

Pelotas Cohorts – Health Across the Life Cycle

Lever
Use of data, telehealth and new technologies

Grant type
Applied Public Health Research

Pelotas-RS

Beneficiary population
All people living in Brazil

Initiative supported since 2023

Initiative partners

Launched in 1982, the Pelotas Birth Cohorts (RS) study the development of diseases and health conditions throughout life. Every 11 years, a new cohort begins, and there are currently four active cohorts (1982, 1993, 2004 and 2015). One year after the call for participation, the Epidemiological Research Center at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) successfully concluded the data collection and clinical examination cycle for the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort. Approximately five thousand people born in the municipality that year are part of one of the largest population follow-up programs in Brazil, a global reference in the investigation of health–disease relationships, whose findings have informed public policies and clinical practices internationally — such as the WHO recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age.

Implemented by the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) and co-funded and supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), National Institutes of Health (NIH/USA), the Department of Science and Technology (DECIT/Ministry of Health), the Brazilian Association of Collective Health (ABRASCO), and the Graduate Program in Epidemiology at UFPel, the cohort monitors the health conditions of individuals, risk factors — such as obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption — and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). The study aims to monitor and describe the behavior of risk and protective factors for NCDs over four decades of follow-up, in addition to conducting a field study at a key age (30 years) to evaluate the early onset of Noncommunicable Diseases.

A study using data from the Pelotas Cohorts showed that exclusive breastfeeding as the only source of nutrition up to six months of age reduces the risk of infant mortality, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend exclusive breastfeeding — a guideline adopted in more than 140 countries.

Outcome

Production of scientific articles on the highest levels of evidence for Noncommunicable Diseases and their risk factors. Based on the results and analyses, the study supports public policy direction, innovation and health data use.

By 2024

2,688

people had undergone physical and body composition assessments.

By 2024

3,333

people had been evaluated through questionnaires.

By 2024

2,331

children of members of the 1993 cohort had already participated in the study.

theses and dissertations in progress and 1 completed by December 2024.

+40

articles published in 2024 alone, in national and international journals.

News

Pelotas Cohorts: studies that span generations

Portraits of Brazil and the history of science in the birth cohorts

“Our target audience is not Pelotas, it’s the entire world”

Testimonials

Fernando Wehrmeister

Epidemiologist and coordinator of the 1993 Cohort

“Beyond supporting fieldwork, data analysis, and scientific production that follow, Umane helps us go beyond the walls of academia, disseminating the impact of the cohorts to society and promoting the use of their data for the development of public policies.”

Materials

Pelotas Cohorts – Health Across the Life Cycle

Production of scientific articles on the highest levels of evidence for Noncommunicable Diseases and their risk factors. Based on the results and analyses, the study supports public policy direction, innovation and health data use.

Pelotas Cohorts: studies that span generations

Portraits of Brazil and the history of science in the birth cohorts

“Our target audience is not Pelotas, it’s the entire world”

Main follow-ups of the 1993 Cohort