Paper short abstract:

The paper analyses elements that allow the definition of third sector and discusses the experience of a non-governmental organization based in Brazilian countryside through a literature review and interviews examining its concepts, roles in capitalist society and leadership formation.

Paper long abstract:

The paper analyses elements that allow the definition of third sector and discusses the experience of a non-governmental organization based in a city in Minas Gerais, Brazil. A literature review and interviews were conducted to explain the understanding of what is called the third sector and its roles in capitalist society. As intermediaries between social demands and the state, third sector organizations assume complementary functions in the public policy field and social action, even though they may contribute to processes of resistance and social change in the context of capitalism. The article describes and discusses the elements of the construction of a local actor's identity, pointing out that the way the organization used to intervene in the municipal social space made it visible and socially relevant, despite having distanced from the construction of alternatives for social transformation. Furthermore, from the case studied, we found that given some informalities in the organization the management is centered in the figure of the CSO founder. The Institute counts with City support (structural and financial) and some private initiatives. However, even 18 years later the foundation was inaugurated, this person is a reference for the children assisted as well as for the community and the policy makers.