Sustenidos
Sustenidos is a São Paulo-based non-profit social organization that manages publicly funded music and arts education programs — including Projeto Guri (50,000 students/year, ~400 poles), Conservatório de Tatuí, and Theatro Municipal de São Paulo — serving youth and communities across Brazil at no cost.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersSão Paulo, Brazil
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sustenidos does
Sustendidos Organização Social de Cultura is a Brazilian non-profit social organization headquartered in São Paulo that manages publicly funded cultural programs and music/arts education initiatives under partnership with the Secretaria da Cultura, Economia e Indústrias Criativas do Estado de São Paulo. Operating as an Organização Social de Cultura (OS Cultura), the organization administers four principal programs: Projeto Guri (Brazil's largest sociocultural program, operating nearly 400 teaching poles across São Paulo state and serving approximately 50,000 students per year), Musicou (free community music education in four cities: São Paulo, Andirá/PR, Arinos/MG, Três Lagoas/MS), Conservatório de Tatuí (considered the largest music and performing arts school in Latin America), and Theatro Municipal de São Paulo (the 115-year-old iconic cultural venue housing the Municipal Symphony Orchestra, Coral Paulistano, and Balé da Cidade de São Paulo). All programs are provided at no cost to participants.
The organization was founded in 2004 (originally as Associação Amigos do Projeto Guri) and rebranded to Sustenidos in 2019, broadening its scope beyond the flagship Guri program. Leadership comprises Alessandra Costa as Executive Director and Marcos Barreto as President of the Board of Directors. There is no proprietary technology stack; Sustenidos' core delivery mechanism is in-person pedagogical instruction and venue management, supported by traditional digital channels (website, social media, email newsletter, earned media). Revenue derives primarily from São Paulo state government funding, supplemented by 30+ corporate sponsors (CTG Brasil, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, Nubank, Bayer, VISA, among others), tax-incentivized individual donations via Lei Rouanet and FUMCAD, and crowdfunding. Over its trajectory, Sustenidos has impacted more than 2 million people across Brazil, and since 1995 Projeto Guri alone has served 770,000+ youth. The organization holds no VC/PE investment and operates on a public-private partnership model with no external equity transactions evidenced.
Sustenidos firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sustenidos
- Legal name
- SUSTENIDOS ORGANIZAÇÃO SOCIAL DE CULTURA
- Website
- https://sustenidos.org.br
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Sustenidos is a São Paulo-based non-profit social organization that manages publicly funded music and arts education programs — including Projeto Guri (50,000 students/year, ~400 poles), Conservatório de Tatuí, and Theatro Municipal de São Paulo — serving youth and communities across Brazil at no cost.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sustenidos industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music and Arts Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)
Keywords
Where Sustenidos is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- São Paulo
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Sustenidos business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Cultural Funding: Sustenidos receives public funding as an Organização Social de Cultura (Social Culture Organization) under partnership agreements with the Secretaria da Cultura, Economia e Indústria Criativas do Estado de São Paulo. This includes funding for managing Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, Conservatório de Tatuí, and Projeto Guri. Funding supports scholarships, instruments, infrastructure, and educational programs.
- Private Sponsorship and Corporate Partnerships: The organization receives financial and in-kind support from private companies including CTG Brasil, VISA, Bayer, WestRock, Microsoft, VALGROUP, Supermercados Tauste, Novelis, Caterpillar, EMS, Capuani do Brasil, Pinheiro Neto, Instituto CCR (CCR AutoBAn), Grupo Maringá, AES Tietê, Faber Castell, Distribuidora Ikeda, ASTA, Mercedes-Benz, Supermercados Rondon, Castelo Alimentos, Raízen, Arteris, Grupo GR, Pirelli, Tereos, SKY, Grupo Colorado, Aché, Hyundai Glóvis, Nubank, and Mobilize. Sponsors receive visibility through the organization's programs, events, and communications.
- Individual Donations: Sustenidos accepts donations from individuals through its 'Faça Parte' (Make Part) program. Individuals can contribute via tax incentive mechanisms including Lei Rouanet and Fundo Municipal da Criança e do Adolescente (FUMCAD). The organization also maintains a donation page on Catarse crowdfunding platform.
- Municipal Support: Some program locations receive co-funding from municipal governments. For example, the Polo Morro Agudo was entirely funded by the Prefeitura Municipal de Morro Agudo, and municipalities throughout São Paulo state co-finance polo operations through partnership agreements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Cultural Education Programs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sustenidos product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sustenidos is a Brazilian non-profit social organization (Organização Social de Cultura) that manages public cultural programs and music and arts education initiatives across São Paulo state. It operates Projeto Guri (free music education across nearly 400 teaching poles), Musicou (free music classes for all ages), Conservatório de Tatuí (formal music and performing arts education), and Theatro Municipal de São Paulo (iconic cultural venue with orchestras, choir, and ballet company). All educational programs are provided at no cost to participants, funded by government partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Big Bang: Cultural project under Sustenidos
- Conservatório de Tatuí
- MOVE
- Musicou
- Projeto Guri
- Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
Products and services
- Projeto Guri Free music and arts education program serving approximately 50,000 students annually through nearly 400 teaching poles across São Paulo state, including interior, coastal, and Fundação CASA locations. Programs include musical initiation, lutherie, choral singing, music technology, strings, winds, keyboards, and percussion. Targets children and adolescents, especially those from underserved communities.
- Musicou Free community music education program for people of all ages, operating nuclei in São Paulo (Ipiranga/FUNSAI), Andirá (PR), Arinos (MG), and Três Lagoas (MS). Offers guitar, percussion, collective singing, music initiation, and ensemble practice. Includes Musicou Lab (recording studio), Espaço Musicou (rehearsal space), and Musicou Orienta (artist mentorship).
- Conservatório de Tatuí Considered the largest music and performing arts school in Latin America, managed by Sustenidos under partnership with the São Paulo State Secretary of Culture. Offers specialized education in music and performing arts including new specializations in choro and historical performance, and serves as venue for orchestras, competitions, and festivals.
- Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2 million people impacted since inception through music education and cultural programs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sustenidos
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Sustenidos technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sustenidos partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Secretaria da Cultura, Economia e Indústria Criativas do Estado de São PaulocorePrimary government partner under Organização Social de Cultura (Social Culture Organization) framework. Sustenidos manages state cultural institutions including Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, Conservatório de Tatuí, and Projeto Guri under formal partnership agreements. The government provides funding and institutional support while Sustenidos handles operational management of cultural programs and venues.
- Municipal Governments (various cities)majorPartnership with numerous municipal governments across São Paulo state for co-funding and hosting Projeto Guri poles. Some municipalities fully fund local poles (e.g., Morro Agudo). Also partner with municipal Secretarias de Educação for school-based programs like Musicou + na Escola.
- FUNSAI – Fundação Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora do IpirangamajorHistoric foundation celebrating 130 years in 2026. Hosts Musicou FUNSAI nucleus at LAMFF (Liceu de Artes Musicais Fúrio Franceschini) in Ipiranga neighborhood since 2024. Sustenidos manages the music education program within FUNSAI's cultural facility, offering free music lessons and professional artist development.
- Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI)majorInternational music organization (largest youth music NGO worldwide) co-created Imagine Brazil festival with Sustenidos. JMI created the Imagine international competition occurring in ~10 countries. Sustenidos serves as Brazilian national organizer. Also partnered on Ethno Brazil festival and international exchanges.
- Festival Partners (APAA, Latinidades, Instituto Afrolatinas, Produceria, Squid, Suno United Creators, Vetor Zero)minorMarketing and promotional partners for the #AbraUmaJanela campaign and cultural events. Include festival organizers, creative agencies, and cultural organizations that collaborate on visibility and outreach efforts.
- Fundação CASA (São Paulo State)majorState foundation for juvenile detention. Projeto Guri operates educational music programs in Fundação CASA locations, serving youth up to 21 years old in detention facilities. Sustenidos manages these poles as part of its state-wide coverage.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sustenidos competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights1 record
Customer concentration
Sustenidos social profiles
Digital presenceSustenidos financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sustenidos leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Sustenidos funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sustenidos M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sustenidos
What does Sustenidos do?
Sustenidos is a Brazilian non-profit social organization (Organização Social de Cultura) that manages public cultural programs and music and arts education initiatives across São Paulo state. It operates Projeto Guri (free music education across nearly 400 teaching poles), Musicou (free music classes for all ages), Conservatório de Tatuí (formal music and performing arts education), and Theatro Municipal de São Paulo (iconic cultural venue with orchestras, choir, and ballet company). All educational programs are provided at no cost to participants, funded by government partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.
Is Sustenidos a public or private company?
Sustenidos is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sustenidos founded?
Sustenidos was founded in 2004. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Sustenidos based?
Sustenidos is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does Sustenidos make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Cultural Funding is the primary driver. The others are private Sponsorship and Corporate Partnerships, individual Donations and municipal Support.
Does Sustenidos have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sustenidos.
What industry is Sustenidos in?
Sustenidos's product category is Music and Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMANAE, Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 8200.