We are a Community Foundation and an OSCIP (Organização Social Civil de Interesse PúblicolSocial - Civil Society Organization of Public Interest); a non-profit, philanthropic organization that invests in the development of the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
Instituto Rio is an innovation in Brazil. It is both a strategy for local development and a mechanism for private social investment. Instituto Rio receives funds from individuals, associates, businesses and both Brazilian and international organizations.


All of the funds raised by Instituto Rio are invested in projects and programs that promote the development of the West Zone. Instituto Rio prospects and selects social and community organizations in the region with which to partner. Between 10 and 15 projects receive grants each year.
To increase the impact of the work these organizations carry out in their communities, Instituto Rio carries out capacity building workshops and programs. These programs include training in several areas such as management, finance, entrepreneurship, among others.

Finally, Instituto Rio promotes the creation of trust funds to insure long term resources for the development of the West Zone.  Trust funds are donations which are invested in the financial market and managed by a committee of experts nominated by each donor. Each year,  part  of  the proceeds of these funds are used to fund programs that are selected by Instituto Rio’s grant program. One of the major challengers facing Instituto Rio in promoting local action supported by local resources is to introduce a new philosophy regarding the concept of philanthropy.