The institution is among the 100 that will be honored in 2025 for excellence in governance, communication, and transparency

The Ramacrisna Institute, located in Betim, has just been recognized as one of the best Brazilian NGOs for the 8th time. The award is considered the largest in Brazil’s Third Sector and recognizes the 100 best NGOs in the country, which currently has more than 879,000 organizations.

The award, conceived by Certificadora Social and Ambev Voa, with sponsorship from Mercado Pago, Doare, and Prosas, carried out a detailed selection process of registration and analysis of competing institutions, which included questions about the pillars of performance and management of a social organization. The data submitted was analyzed by a panel of invited judges, including professors, researchers, journalists, and social leaders from across the country, with the support of the Getulio Vargas Foundation in document analysis.

In addition to the general award, outstanding NGOs were also selected in special categories, with the winners to be announced during the official awards ceremony in December. In addition to the top 100, the best NGOs by state, cause, small size, and NGO of the Year will also be recognized. In the category by state, Ramacrisna was recognized as the best NGO in Minas Gerais. The award ceremony took place during the National Third Sector Meeting, held in October in the capital of Minas Gerais.

For Solange Bottaro, vice president of the Ramacrisna Institute, the recognition reinforces the relevance of Ramacrisna’s ongoing work. “Receiving this award for the eighth time is a source of deep emotion and honor. It represents not only Ramacrisna’s credibility, but also the daily commitment of each employee and partner who believes in social transformation. This recognition reaffirms that we are on the right track, innovating, caring, and creating real opportunities for those who need it most. It is an award that we celebrate together, as a large network of people committed to the future,” she points out.

Excellence reflected in practice

In 2025, the Ramacrisna Institute also achieved worldwide recognition by winning the Global Humanitarian Award, one of the most important international awards in the social field. The award was presented during the World Cultural Festival in India, a global event that celebrates love, unity, and shared humanity, as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The ceremony brought together representatives from 100 countries, each with an honored institution. Ramacrisna was the only Brazilian representative to receive the award, granted by the Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission (SMSGHM), an organization that promotes the “One World, One Family” philosophy and recognizes initiatives that transform communities through love, service, and inclusion.

The excellence of its management is also attested to by other national and international recognitions. The institution is listed in Thedotgood ranking (2022–2024) and, for seven consecutive years (2017–2023), was among the 100 Best NGOs in the country—being elected Best Social Assistance Organization in Brazil in 2018. In addition, it has certifications such as the A+ Transparent NGO Seal (since 2019) and the Verified NGO Seal (since 2024), reinforcing its commitment to transparency, governance, and rigor in the application of resources.

With 66 years of experience, the Ramacrisna Institute is a national reference in social development, impacting the lives of thousands of people in 12 cities in the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region. Founded in 1959 by journalist Arlindo Corrêa da Silva, the Institute stands out for the innovation and effectiveness of its projects, which cover learning, professional training, culture, technology, job and income generation, sports, and leisure.

Recognized for its self-sustainability model, it maintains a wire fence factory, whose revenue covers about 40% of the institution’s basic expenses, ensuring autonomy and continuity of its social actions. In 2024, it reaffirmed its commitment to the global sustainable development agenda by becoming a signatory to the UN Global Compact, adopting principles related to human rights, decent work, environmental preservation, and the fight against corruption.