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Recognizing Global Excellence in the Evolving Social Good Sphere

The 2025 World Top SGOs Are Live

The 2025 edition of the Top Social Good Organizations (SGOs) is now available — spotlighting the most innovative, resilient, and impactful actors transforming communities and systems around the world.

by The [.] Newsroom
From thedotgood's Editorial Desk
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@Ayrton Senna Institute

Published: June 30, 2025 | Geneva

The 2025 edition of the Top Social Good Organizations (SGOs) is now available — spotlighting the most innovative, resilient, and impactful actors transforming communities and systems around the world. This year edition comes with a WORLD 200 SGOs and BRAZIL 75 SGOs (up from a BRAZIL 50 SGOs in 2024).

Since 2012, thedotgood’s Top SGO rankings have served as a trusted reference for philanthropists, researchers, social investors, and changemakers seeking to:

  • Learn from high-impact organizational models

  • Explore sustainable social innovation strategies

  • Identify trustworthy, investable opportunities

  • Build academic, funding, or professional portfolios

  • Track emerging regional ecosystems

Each year, the listings reinforce the need to spotlight and support organizations that demonstrate not only innovation but also resilience and long-term sustainability.

Beyond the “NGO” Label: A Changing Paradigm

The term NGO no longer reflects the diverse and evolving landscape of today’s social impact sector. Modern SGOs extend well beyond traditional non-governmental models historically linked to development aid.

As legacy institutions such as USAID are dismantled — with others possibly to follow — it’s increasingly clear that SGOs must operate on sustainable, economically sound foundations. The outdated assumption that social missions should rely primarily on state funding has long been challenged. While government support remains welcome, it can no longer be the bedrock of social innovation.

The rising politicization of aid — especially under administrations such as Trump’s — underscores the fragility of such dependencies. SGOs today must strive for financial independence and embrace robust, adaptable business models.

In Brazil, Science is becoming a leading force to deliver social good profit. See how SGOs such as SERRAPILHEIRA and WYLINKA do it.
As we see emerging more authoritarian regimes, men and women rights are not to be abandonned. As LANDESA puts it, it matters for the future of people and planet.

Data, Transparency, and a New Methodological Standard

While the 2025 rankings are based on 2023–2024 data, they may not yet fully capture the sector’s rapid adaptation in response to shifting global funding priorities — especially when taking into account the termination of USAID. We expect significant developments to be reflected in the upcoming 2025 dataset for the 2026 rankings.

In response, we’re introducing a major methodological update for 2026:

  • Audited financial statements must be submitted within 3–4 months after fiscal year-end.

  • Submissions received more than 6 months post-fiscal year-end will no longer be accepted.

We recognize this is a significant requirement, but we believe the growing professionalism of SGOs worldwide makes this both realistic and necessary.

Spotlight: Brazil’s Expanding Social Good Ecosystem

Since committing in 2022 to deeper research on Brazil’s social innovation sector, we’ve uncovered a thriving and fast-evolving ecosystem. As a result, the Brazil Top List has grown from 50 SGOs in 2024 to 75 in 2025, reflecting the energy and vision of a new generation of social entrepreneurs.

🔗 Explore the 2025 Brazil Top 75 SGOs

The top three Brazilian SGOs — CIEDS, INSTITUTO DA CRIANÇA, and NOSSAS — have retained their leadership positions for a second year. However, the expanded field has brought fresh competition and several standout newcomers.

Among those, three organizations have earned dual recognition by entering both the Brazil Top 20 and the Global Top 200:

  • IMPULSOGOV (#8 Brazil) – Boldly reimagining policy and public data through technology-driven decision-making.

  • WYLINKA (#12 Brazil) – Quietly transforming systems by aligning public and private actors with visionary precision.

  • AYRTON SENNA INSTITUTE (#17 Brazil) – A continuous force for innovation in education through bold experimentation and deep local engagement.
    🔗 See the Ayrton Senna Institute Profile

These SGOs are defined by their strategic clarity, commitment to impact, and the courage to challenge established norms.

Other notable Brazilian SGOs on the list include: Parceiros da Educação, Instituto Fogo Cruzado, Maria Emilia Foundation, Aliança Empreendedora, Consulado das Mulheres, Social Good Brazil, Walking Football Brazil, Instituto do Grito, Rede Mulher Empreendedora (RME), and ABC Povo.

Being listed is more than a mark of distinction — it’s a signal to funders and collaborators that these SGOs are worthy of trust, support, and long-term engagement.

Looking Ahead to 2026

While it’s too soon to confirm whether Brazil’s list will expand to a Top 100 next year, our new April 2026 financial data deadline may present challenges for some. Still, we remain confident that the sector will rise to meet this higher standard.

As the Social Good Sphere enters a new era — more professional, more sustainable, and more essential than ever — the 2025 rankings offer a powerful snapshot of where we are and where we’re heading.

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