The first dialogues towards the creation of Brazil Fund were held in 2003 by a group of human rights defenders who took the challenge of finding alternative ways to ensure the sustainability of actions in this field. The idea was to enable the Fund’s work in a scenario where human rights organizations were spread throughout the whole Brazilian territory, many times isolated and enduring many other difficulties to subsist. Brazil Fund was established in 2006 with the main objective to raise and donate funds for the defense of human rights.
The foundation was created by respected activists and scholars and received a financial contribution from Ford Foundation, through the constitution of an endowment of US$3 million.
Launch of the 2017 calls for proposals to select projects presented by organizations and individuals across the country. Held at SESC Pinheiros, the event “Musical Dialogues on Human Rights” included the presentation of the show Teresa Cristina sings Cartola.
2016
- December -
The Fund received honorable mention in the Justice and Citizenship category at the 13th edition of the Innovare Award. Brazil Fund was selected and awarded for the “Strategic litigation, advocacy and communication for the promotion, protection and defense of human rights” call for proposals, held in partnership with Ford Foundation.
2016
- December -
Representatives of the supported projects gathered in São Paulo to participate in training activities on topics such as youth and political action; violence; and communication technologies.
2016
- December -
The magazine “A Brazil of Rights” was launched to celebrate Brazil Fund’s 10th anniversary. The publication tells the stories of human rights defenders. Read here.
2016
- December -
The partnership between Brazil Fund and the Mothers of May Movement resulted in one of the eleven stories in a sequence published on Grantcraft.org, a Foundation Center channel, a worldwide reference in philanthropy for social justice. The posts are related to the publication “Effective Philanthropy,” published by the Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace.
2016
- October -
Brazil Fund launches the #NãoTáTranquiloNãoTáFavorável campaign to mobilize society for the struggle for rights and against setbacks.
2016
- August -
Launch of the new Brazil Fund website, with a modern graphic design offering easier ways to search for information on the work performed by the Fund.
2016
- July -
Selection of 20 proposals under the 2016 Annual Call for Proposals. The awarder organizations received a total of R$800 thousand. The Fund received 969 applications.
2016
- June -
We have posted on Facebook a number of testimonials given by our staff, members of our Board of Trustees and Audit Committee. This mobilization aimed at fighting violence against women in the daily life of Brazilian society, culminating in cases of collective rape and other crimes. Check them out!
2016
- May -
Selection of 15 proposals through the Specific Call “United against the violence that kills Brazilian youth” Organizations were selected and received a grant of up to R$40,000 to be used in the period of one year.
2016
- April -
Brazil Fund supports projects that fight abusive beahviour in provisional prisons in the Northeast of Brazil. Special Funding Line was launched in partnership with Open Society Foundation to support five organizations selected through letters of invitation.
2016
- April -
Conference “Strategic Litigation in Human Rights”, where theoretical, legal and political aspects related to the topic were discussed by the invited experts and atendées. The conference was held with the support of FGV Law SP.
2016
- April -
Dissemination of a campaign on social networks with activists supported by Brazil Fund in celebration of International Women’s Day.
2016
- March -
Fund-raising campaign on the petition platform Change.org with over 70 million users in 196 countries. Brazil Fund used the tool to give visibility to issues related to human rights.
2016
- March -
Launch of the 2016 Annual Call for Proposals, as well as of the Specific Call for Proposals “United against the violence that kills Brazilian youth.”The show “Leticia Sabatella in Caravana Tonteria” was presented in the series “Musical Dialogues on Human Rights”, at SESC Vila Mariana, in São Paulo, with the participation of a group of refugee children that are part of the choir Coração Jolie / I Know My Rights NGO.
During the event, the video “Musical Notes” was displayed. The presentation counted on the participation of musicians from the Youth Orchestra of Heliopolis.
2015
- December -
Participation in the BR Day 2015, an event produced by Globo Television Network in New York. The campaign “Brazil without Violence” was developed in partnership with ELAS – Social Investment Fund with the support of Ford Foundation, between July and September.
2015
- September -
Partnership with Open Society to conduct a special funding line to support initiatives that address human rights violations in pre-trial detention regime, focusing on racism in the Northeast of Brazil. Through a special call conveyed via invitation letter, five organizations presented projects that were reviewed and approved by experts on the subject.
2015
- July -
Participation in the organization of the “1st International Meeting of the Independent Funds Network for Social Justice” held in July, in Rio de Janeiro. The event gathered funds, foundations and activists from different countries to discuss strategies to strengthen philanthropy for social justice in Brazil and Latin America.
2015
- July -
Seminar “Communication, violence and human rights”, held by Brazil Fund in April 2015, at FGV Law School, in São Paulo. Participants: Ana Valeria Araujo, Atila Roque, Flavia Oliveira, Jacira Melo, Laura Capriglione, Peter Ekman and Renato Rovai. Screening of the documentary “Defensorxs”, produced by the campaign “We are all defensors” developed by Intervozes, Global Justice, Dhesca Platform and the National Human Rights Movement, supported by Brazil Fund.
2015
- April -
Launch of the final product of the project “Strengthening the role of networks and coalitions to promote human rights in Brazil,” conducted by Brazil Fund and sponsored by Petrobras: a printed magazine with texts on capacity building and communication for human rights.
2015
- April -
Discussion held at the Brazil Fund headquarters to evaluate the state of human rights and the role of Brazil Fund in the context of social and political transformations. Debaters: Andrés Thompson, Atila Roque, Darci Frigo, Domingos Armani, Jean Tible, Junior Perim, Oscar Vilhena, Raul Santiago, Ricardo Henriques, Sergio Haddad, Sérgio Leitão and Vera Masagão.
2015
- April -
Outset of the campaign “Say YES to Human Rights in Brazil”, aimed to increase the engagement and support of individuals to human rights causes. Actresses Leticia Sabatella (counselor of Brazil Fund) and Jessica Ellen and actor Vinicius Romao gave voice to the campaign. Brazil Fund arrived at the end of 2015 with 129 donors.
2015
- March -
Outset of the partnership with Vult Cosmetics to conduct quarterly campaigns on issues related to the areas within the Fund’s work and the delivery of gifts to shopkeepers as a token of appreciation for their partnership in the Nota Fiscal Paulista program.
2015
- February -
Display of the winning piece of the Young Creatives Award, one of the categories of the 2014 Abril Advertisement Award, in different magazines of Abril Publishing House. The theme was a Brazil Fund institutional campaign, signed with the phrase: “There is already enough people getting in the way. Help build a better country. “
2015
- January -
Launch of the 2015 Annual Call for Proposals, as well as of the Specific Call for Proposals “Fighting
Human Trafficking”: Musical dialogue on human rights, with Leci Brandao, at SESC Vila Mariana.
2014
- November -
Search for and selection of organizations within the criteria of this special funding line. The selected organizations receive a letter inviting them to present their projects to Brazil Fund’s Criminal Justice special funding line, held in partnership with OAK Foundation. It was the first time Brazil Fund used this method to select projects. Proposals were later submitted to a committee of independent experts, similar to what has already been done in the other selection processes. These discussions, which included the Brazil Fund Board of Directors and OAK foundation, suggested adjustments to the chosen projects.
2014
- November -
Virtual auction of the work “Brasil, país do futebol”, donated by artist Paulo Ito. The painting was included in an auction conducted by Bel Art Gallery and bought by a French collector for R$3,000. In addition to the framed painting, the Fund received ten photographic reproductions, also donated by the artist.
2014
- August -
In 2014, IHRFG (The International Human Rights Funder Group), a human rights network of donors and grantmakers based in the United States organized a visit for international funds and foundations to Brazil. At the time, a seminar on philanthropy focused on human rights was promoted, which also involved philanthropy representatives in our country. Brazil Fund, a member of IHRFG, helped organize the event and participated in the debates.
2014
- April -
Launch of the Specific Call for Proposals “Strategic litigation, advocacy and communication for the promotion, protection and defense of human rights”, held with the support of Ford Foundation.
2014
- April -
Launch of the 2014 Annual Call for Proposals, as well as of the Specific Call for Proposals “Sports mega-events and human rights”, held in partnership with Ford Foundation. “Musical Dialogues on Human Rights: Carlinhos Antunes and Orquestra Mundana, with special guest singer Renato Braz, presented the concert “Violet Terna and Eternal” which honored the singer, songwriter, folklorist Violeta Parra.
2013
- December -
Seminar “Achievements and challenges to ensure human rights in the country”, held at FGV Law School, in SP. Participants: Ana Valeria Araujo, Atila Roque, Cidinha da Silva, Darci Frigo, Denise Dora, Fernando Rossetti, Jacqueline Pitanguy, Jorge Eduardo Durão, Jurema Werneck, Marcio Santilli, Oscar Vilhena, Renato Roseno Rogerio Sottili, Sergio Haddad, Veriano Terto Jr.
2013
- June -
The initiative was part of a project called “Strengthening the role of networks and coalitions to promote human rights in Brazil,” sponsored by Petrobras. In 2014, communication workshops were developed in partnership with members of human rights networks aiming at building capacity around planning and execution of communication products. The participating networks worked on the following topics:
– Confronting the genocide of black youth;
– Fighting violence against women and LGBT population (femicide, lesbophobia, homophobia and transphobia);
– Promotion of the right to the city (impact of mega sports events);
– Protection of human rights defenders; and
– The right to land and territory (quilombo communities and indigenous peoples).
Communication products, such as booklets and videos, were developed for Brazil Fund.
2013
- June -
Creation of the Independent Funds Network for Social Justice, coordinated by other Community funds and foundations, such as: Baobá – Fund for Racial Equity, CASA – Environmental Fund, ELAS – Social Investment Fund, ICOM – Community Institute of Florianópolis, Community Institute of Baixada Maranhense and Rio Institute.
2012
- December -
Launch of the 2013 Annual Call for Proposals: Musical Dialogue on Human Rights with Fabiana Cozza, at SESC Bom Retiro.
2012
- December -
Launch of the first specific call for proposals – “Human Rights and Urban Development”, held in partnership with Ford Foundation. Open debate “Human Rights and Urban Development” held at Ford Foundation’s venue, at the People’s Summit, in Rio de Janeiro. Debaters: Claudia Fávaro, Darci Frigo, Leticia Osorio, Orlando Junior and Sergio Haddad.
2012
- June -
Launch and distribution of the magazine “Five years of Brazil Fund”.
2012
- January -
Partnership with Natura Cosmetics for a campaign involving shopkeepers participating in the Nota Fiscal Paulista program. Natura donated gifts to Brazil Fund to be distributed as a token of appreciation to the staff of the partner stores. The distribution is held on commemorative dates, three to four times a year.
2011
- December -
Series of debates “Development and Human Rights” organized by Brazil Fund, Livraria Cultura and Summus Editorial Corporation. Guests: Claudio Picazio, Eleonora Menicucci, Laerte, Leonardo Sakamoto, Cida Bento, Helio Santos, Celio Bermann, Rodrigo Faria, Juca Kfouri, Roberto Nogueira, Paulo Vanucchi, Nilcéia Freire.
2011
- December -
Launch of the 2012 Call for Proposals during the presentation of Banda de Pífanos de Caruaru and their guest, Rita Ribeiro, at SESC Pinheiros.
2011
- November -
Inauguration of the new headquarters: Rua Santa Isabel, 137 (Sao Paulo, SP).
2010
- July -
Brazil Fund presents its work at the Association of LGBT Pride Parade of São Paulo’s stand, at the Cultural Fair.
2011
- June -
“Race” is the second edition of the campaign “Let’s shed more light”, developed by Brazil Fund. Advertisement campaign displayed on websites and magazines around the country.
2011
- April -
Partnership with restaurants Rosmarino and Café Florinda (São Paulo) to raise funds: Call for the donation of R$ 2.00 to Brazil Fund projects related to gender.
2011
- March -
Brazil Fund sets up partnership with stores in São Paulo, providing containers where donated shopping receipts are collected for the “Nota Fiscal Paulista” program.
2010
- December -
The campaign “Women’s Rights” is the first edition of the campaign “Let’s shed more light”, by Brazil Fund, developed by Repense Communications.
2010
- December -
“Musical Dialogues on Human Rights: Memory and Truth “: show at SESC Pinheiros, participation of Wandi Doratiotto, Jair Rodrigues and MPB4; directed by Mario Manga.
Open debate “Memory and Truth – Reflections of the violation of these rights today”, at Ação Educativa’s auditorium (São Paulo, SP). Guests: Paulo Vanucchi (Minister of SDH/PR), Glenda Mezarobba (Unicamp researcher), José Carlos Dias (former Minister of Justice).
2010
- March -
Versão em inglês do site www.fundobrasil.org.br/en
2010
- August -
“Musical Dialogues on Human Rights” (2nd edition): dinner with live music from guitar player and composer Emiliano Castro and singer Luciana Alves at the restaurant Rosmarino for 80 people (São Paulo, SP).
2010
- March -
Launch of the 2010 Call for Proposals: Event “Musical Dialogues on Human Rights” (1st edition), with the performance of Brazilian rapper MV Bill, who’s also an adviser to Brazil Fund, at SESC Pinheiros (São Paulo-SP).
2009
- December -
“Put yourself in this place. Human rights are not just for you” was the 1st year’s theme of Brazil Fund, aiming at raising awareness about violence against women and about domestic violence in specific. Campaign circulation on Contigo magazine.
2009
- June -
Launch of 2009 annual Call for Proposals: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in São Paulo-SP.
– “Human rights are the rights of all”, exhibited at the Conjunto Nacional hallways
– Launch of the animation “Human rights are the rights of all”, by Kiko Goifman, illustrated by Laerte with soundtrack by musician Livio Tragtemberg.
– Debate “Human rights challenges today: progress and prospects”, at the Livraria Cultura theater. Participation: Maria Amelia Teles (Women’s Alliance of São Paulo); Fouad Hamdan (Arab Human Rights Fund); José Gregori (former Minister of Justice and President of the Municipal Commission of Human Rights), Humberto Adami (Institute of Racial and Environmental Law) and others.
2008
- December -
First monitoring visit to supported projects. Steve Biko organization was visited in Bahia.
2008
- August -
Brazil Fund presentation event and launch of the 2008 Call for Proposals at the Judges Association of Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre-RS), organized by Judge Roberto Lorea Arriada, advisor to Brazil Fund.
2008
- January -
Launch of the 2008 Annual Call for Proposals: Open debate on “Private Investment in Human Rights”, in São Paulo-SP. Panelists: Ricardo Young (Ethos Institute); Oded Grajew (Ethos Institute); Valdemar Oliveira “Maneto” (Avina Foundation); Fernando Rossetti (Gife); filmmaker Kiko Goifman.
2007
- December -
First Projects Meeting: technical and management workshops, held in São Paulo, meant to assist the representatives of the organizations selected that year. The President’s Human Rights Secretariat supported the event.
2007
- December -
First selection of projects: 21 proposals were selected and received a total of R$ 549,092.70. The initiatives were submitted to a committee of independent experts, which has become a standard process in the selection processes of Brazil Fund. The Board of Trustees makes the final decision regarding the annual calls.
2007
- June -
Ford Foundation in New York (USA) donated US$3 million to Brazil Fund’s endowment.
2007
- April -
Website
www.fundobrasil.org.br
2006
- December -
A public announcement was made on the creation of the Fund and its first call for proposals was released – 2007 Call for Proposals – at the Olodum rehearsal room, at Pelourinho, in (Salvador, BA).
2006
- December -
Creating the Fund
2005
- December -
