IPSS (private social solidarity institution)
Short definition
An IPSS (instituição particular de solidariedade social) is a non-profit legal entity, set up by private initiative and not run by the State, that gives organised expression to the duty of solidarity, helping to give effect to social rights.
In plain language
Its statute is set out in Decree-Law no. 119/83, revised in 2014. They may be associations, foundations or Misericórdias, among other forms. They run a large share of social care services in Portugal, such as residential homes, day centres, home support and nurseries, often under cooperation agreements with Social Security.