A preliminary version of the results of the 2007-08 GIFE census, a mapping and characterization of private social investment by GIFE members, was released in Brazil in early August. The universe covered corresponded to 80 per cent of the 101 organizations associated to Grupo de Institutos, Fundaciones y Empresas (Group of Institutes, Foundations and Enterprises, or GIFE), but its authors believe that the results obtained are representative of trends in the sector as a whole. Respondents included 27 private foundations, 34 not-for-profit associations and 19 companies. GIFE is the first South American association to bring together private organizations that finance or carry out social, environmental and cultural public interest projects.