The institution was recognized as one of the world’s top 200 NGOs and is among Brazil’s top 50 NGOs for the third consecutive year.
The Ramacrisna Institute, located in Betim, Minas Gerais, has been named one of Brazil’s top 50 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and one of the world’s top 200 for the third consecutive year, ranking 169th globally and 15th in Brazil. This evaluation was conducted by Thedotgood, an independent media organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, which highlights the best and most innovative practices in the Third Sector to an international audience of journalists, donors, researchers, and diplomats.
Thedotgood assesses CSOs based on rigorous criteria such as impact, innovation, and governance. Impact refers to the positive transformation in the lives of beneficiaries, innovation highlights the ability to creatively overcome obstacles, and governance evaluates good management practices, transparency, and adherence to the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Solange Bottaro, vice president of the Ramacrisna Institute, celebrated the achievement. “We are very happy. Our projects continue to socially impact the communities we serve. In 2023 alone, we reached over 105,000 people, including children, adolescents, young people, and families, with activities ranging from educational support and digital inclusion to vocational training, apprenticeships, and various cultural, work and income generation, sports, and leisure activities.”
Solange further emphasized that innovation is at the heart of the Institute’s work. “We are always striving to offer innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the communities we serve. We believe that innovation is not just about technology or new ideas, but about the ability to transform lives through creative and effective approaches.”
Governance and Transparency Shine at Ramacrisna
Excellence in governance and transparency is one of the pillars supporting the success of the Ramacrisna Institute. The institution has partnered with the Dom Cabral Foundation, one of Latin America’s top business schools, since 2008. Through leadership and staff development programs, it adopts best management practices and focuses on improving internal processes, ensuring all resources are used effectively and transparently, always in line with its mission, vision, and values.
“These are fundamental pillars for any organization that wants to make a lasting positive impact. Here, we value these practices as essential for building trust with our partners, beneficiaries, and society at large. This has led to long-term partnerships with major companies like Vale, Petrobras, and Localiza, as well as international organizations like BrazilFoundation and Liverpool Hope University,” highlights Solange Bottaro.
This commitment to good governance is evidenced by Thedotgood’s recognition and further underscores the importance of these practices in establishing the Ramacrisna Institute as one of the leading social organizations in Brazil and the world.
About the Ramacrisna Institute
Founded in 1959 by journalist Arlindo Corrêa da Silva, the Institute has impacted the lives of more than 2 million people across 12 cities in the Greater Belo Horizonte area over the past 65 years. Located in Betim, MG, Ramacrisna develops learning, professionalization, work and income generation, entrepreneurship, culture, technology, sports, and leisure projects, among others.
Ramacrisna has partnered with the Dom Cabral Foundation since 2008 to train managers and implement management tools for internal process improvement. It has received several awards attesting to its management competence, including Thedotgood’s international ranking (formerly NGO Advisor) for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024). In 2023, for the seventh year in a row, it was listed among the 100 Best NGOs in Brazil by the Institute The World We Want (IOMQQ) and the Institute Doar.
Since 2019, it has held the A+ Seal, which audits and recognizes civil society organizations that follow international management and transparency standards. In 2020, it received the Transparent NGO Seal, and in 2018, it was named the best Social Assistance Organization in the country, all awarded by the Institute Doar.
