We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katia Francesconi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Katia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I founded the Katia Francesconi Foundation out of a deep desire to make a lasting impact in communities facing extreme poverty. Growing up in Brazil, I witnessed firsthand the struggles many people face, but it wasn’t until later in life that I saw how much could be done through philanthropy. My inspiration came from my family, especially my aunts and mother, who dedicated their time to volunteering and helping people in need. I wanted to build on that legacy and do something that could transform lives on a larger scale.

The initial process of starting the foundation was the most challenging part. The key was finding the right partners and projects to connect with in Brazil—ones that aligned with my vision and made a genuine impact. Thankfully, with the guidance of some incredible people at the Brazil Foundation, I was introduced to projects that truly spoke to my heart. These partnerships allowed me to support causes I could always keep an eye on, ensuring that funds were going exactly where they were needed most.

In those early stages, having a few key donors who believed in my mission was essential. Their support and encouragement helped me build a strong foundation for the work ahead. With their backing, I was able to take those critical first steps and establish projects that would become the core of our work. Today, I’m grateful that those initial hurdles led to lasting partnerships and programs that continue to change lives.

Katia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Katia Francesconi, and I am the founder of The Katia Francesconi Foundation, a foundation dedicated to creating opportunities for children living in extreme poverty. Our main initiative, Katia’s Kids, is the heart of this mission, which is built on three core pillars: education, healthy living, and ecology. Through this program, we focus on addressing these essential areas to give children the chance to reach their full potential and to build a brighter, more sustainable future.

Ultimately, the impact I aim to have through Katia’s Kids is not only to change the lives of these children but to spark generational change. By giving them the resources, knowledge, and support they need to succeed, we hope to help lift entire families out of poverty and contribute to a more equitable and hopeful future for their communities.

My journey to create a foundation was deeply personal and born out of a sense of responsibility. I’ve always believed that with more power comes more responsibility. I was fortunate to be in a position where my life was abundant and full of opportunity, but there was a nagging feeling that I couldn’t ignore. After a lot of reflection, I realized that the extreme inequality facing children in Brazil felt profoundly unfair. It wasn’t something I could look away from and simply continue on with my life.

I also wanted to envision a better future for Brazil—a country with less crime and more opportunity for everyone, especially for my friends, family, and future generations. I came to the conclusion that this work had to start at the roots, focusing on the children in Brazil’s most impoverished areas. By changing their reality and giving them access to education, we could offer them a path forward, and an alternative to a life of crime that so often feels like the only option.

That realization was the driving force behind creating the foundation. I wanted to make a meaningful impact, giving these children the tools to build better futures and helping to create a safer, more hopeful Brazil for everyone.

I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in the foundation’s journey thus far, particularly in implementing pilot programs that have begun to change the harsh realities of life in the slums. Witnessing firsthand how these initiatives have positively impacted children and their families has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The success of these pilot programs has been so significant that they’ve caught the attention of local state governments, who are now starting to invest in similar initiatives. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved and reinforces the importance of our mission.

For potential donors and supporters, I want to emphasize that every contribution, big or small has the power to create real change, especially because the dollar goes much further in Brazil. For instance, we are able to build a school in the Amazon for just $25,000—well under budget and ahead of schedule. These are tangible changes that I personally verify, as I make it a priority to visit all our projects regularly to ensure that funds are being used effectively and that they truly benefit the communities.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the early stages of establishing the foundation, I faced quite a few challenges. One of the biggest was navigating the complexities of philanthropy in Brazil. I had to research and understand the legal, cultural, and social landscape to make sure our projects would be both impactful and sustainable. It was a lot of trial and error at first—finding the right approaches, learning what worked and what didn’t, and making adjustments along the way.

Another challenge was identifying trustworthy partners who shared my vision and building a transparent, accountable system to monitor how funds were being used. I needed to ensure that every dollar truly went to making a difference. Getting a few key donors on board was also crucial. Their support provided both the funding and the encouragement I needed to launch those initial programs.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Throughout my journey, one significant lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the assumption that I always knew what would work best for the children we serve—that my vision for their needs and solutions was the correct route. Early on, I approached our initiatives with a strong conviction about what I thought was best, based on my own experiences and perspectives. However, I quickly realized that understanding the unique needs and challenges of these children and their communities required a much closer partnership with them.

A powerful example of this came from our work with an indigenous tribe in the Amazon. Initially, I wanted to teach them English, believing that it would be an important skill for their future. However, after speaking with the community directly and truly listening to their perspectives, I learned that, at that point, English was the farthest lesson they needed. They expressed a strong desire to reconnect with their roots and take pride in their indigenous heritage.

This revelation prompted me to change my approach entirely. Instead of imposing my ideas, I agreed with the tribe’s priorities and shifted our focus. We are now in the process of building a cultural school specifically designed for this indigenous community to help them rescue their roots, celebrate their traditions, and strengthen their identity.

This experience taught me the importance of collaboration and humility. It reinforced that the best solutions often come from the very people we aim to help. Engaging closely with the communities we serve has not only made our programs more effective but has also enriched my own journey, reminding me that genuine understanding and respect are key to creating meaningful change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katiafrancesconifoundation.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francesconifoundation/

Image Credits

Katia Francesconi Foundation