Mario Santo Domingo, a successful entrepreneur in the city of Barranquilla, established the foundation in 1960. Originally named La Fundación Barranquilla, the foundation supported educational institutes and other organizations dedicated to philanthropic work. A change came in 1989, when the Board of Directors voted to change the name to Fundación Mario Santo Domingo, and refocus efforts. Currently, the foundation's goals include improving living conditions for destitute families, retraining workers, constructing homes for the poor, and supporting microenterprise development with loans and business training.
FMSD has 13 branches located in and around the cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena, on Colombia's Atlantic coast.
FMSD is developing strategies to improve housing and build more homes, instill environmental consciousness through community educational efforts, and initiate programs that will create jobs for the disabled and the handicapped. FMSD supports a variety of social service programs in the areas of health, housing, education, and small business development. Hide