Fundaçãos

Fundações is a Portuguese term with two common meanings: the structural base of a building that transfers loads to the ground, and a nonprofit or charitable organization that manages endowed resources to fund specific activities. The context usually makes clear which sense is intended.

In construction and civil engineering, foundations are the lower part of a structure that carries loads from above and distributes them into the ground. Their design depends on soil properties, load magnitude, and moisture conditions. Shallow foundations transfer loads near the surface and include continuous footings, isolated footings (pads), and raft foundations. Deep foundations reach deeper soil layers or rock and include piles and drilled shafts (caissons). The choice between shallow and deep foundations depends on soil bearing capacity, expected settlements, groundwater, frost considerations, and seismic factors. Proper soil investigation, bearing capacity estimation, and settlement analysis are essential steps in the design process, as is adherence to relevant codes and construction practices.

In philanthropy and organization, a foundation is a nonprofit legal entity established to manage endowed assets and fund activities aligned with a mission, such as education, science, culture, or social welfare. Foundations are typically governed by a board of trustees or directors and rely on endowments, donations, or grants to finance programs and grants to other organizations or individuals. Their activities are regulated by charity or nonprofit laws, with tax and reporting requirements that vary by jurisdiction. Foundations play a role in long-term funding strategies, research support, and public-interest initiatives across diverse regions and sectors.