Management professionalization of third sector organizations: a case study in the Women's Institute Foundation of Bahia

A significant increase in non-profit organizations has been observed throughout the world. This article examines the need for professionalization of organizational management in the Third Sector, focusing on the specific case of the Women's Institute Foundation located in Salvador, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Bahia. Principal concepts dealt with in the text are the Third Sector and its characteristics, its burgeoning presence on the world scene, performance, funding sources and relations with government. A theoretical framework was developed focusing on similarities and differences, including epistemological differences, in the management of private, public and non-profit organizations. Qualitative research methods were used for collecting and analyzing the data. Results suggest the importance of professionalization of organizational management in the Third Sector, pointing to the need for formulating more adequate strategies for managing resources and for guaranteeing sustainability and continuity while respecting the social values and objectives directly related to the non-profit model.