# Law No. 3959 of September 14, 1961 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105648074](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648074) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3959-of-september-14-1961 ## Summary Law No. 3959 of September 14, 1961 is a Brazilian federal statute that regulates grants and support for nonprofit organizations. It was officially promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President João Goulart and remains a key legal instrument in the country's framework for institutional assistance. ## Key Facts - **Official Title:** Lei nº 3959, de 14 de setembro de 1961 - **Country of Origin:** Brazil - **Publication Date:** September 14, 1961 - **Place of Publication:** Brasília - **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil - **Signed By:** João Goulart (President), on September 14, 1961 - **Legal Classification:** Statute (formal written document creating law) - **Main Subject:** Grants ("Subvenção") and nonprofit organizations ("Instituição Assistencial") - **Language of Record:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3959/1961 - **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-09-14;3959 - **Applies To Jurisdiction:** Brazil - **Instance Of:** Statute - **Full Text Available At:** [Presidência da República - Legislação](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3959.htm) - **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law - **Focus List:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws ## FAQs **What is Law No. 3959 of September 14, 1961 about?** Law No. 3959 of 1961 governs the granting of financial support (subvenção) to nonprofit organizations (Instituição Assistencial) in Brazil. It establishes the legal framework for how such institutions may receive public funding and under what conditions. **Who approved Law No. 3959 of 1961?** The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and signed by President João Goulart on September 14, 1961. **Where can I find the full text of this law?** The full text of Law No. 3959/1961 is available at the official government website: [Presidência da República - Legislação](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3959.htm). **Is Law No. 3959 of 1961 still in effect?** Yes, as of the latest available data, the law remains in force and continues to regulate the provision of grants to nonprofit institutions in Brazil. **What is the legal classification of Law No. 3959?** It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law, including acts, executive orders, and by-laws. **What language is the law written in?** The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese, as it is a Brazilian federal statute. **What is the official citation for this law?** The official legal citation is Lei nº 3959/1961. ## Why It Matters Law No. 3959 of 1961 plays a foundational role in Brazil’s legal and social policy framework by establishing the conditions under which nonprofit organizations can receive public funding. It ensures that institutional assistance is provided in a structured, transparent, and legally sound manner. This law is particularly significant for civil society organizations that rely on government support to carry out social, educational, or charitable activities. By codifying the process of grant allocation, it contributes to the accountability and sustainability of the nonprofit sector in Brazil. Its continued relevance underscores its importance in maintaining a balance between public interest and institutional autonomy. ## Notable For - **Regulation of Institutional Grants:** It is a key legal instrument governing how nonprofit organizations receive public funding in Brazil. - **Historical Significance:** Enacted during João Goulart’s presidency, it reflects mid-20th century social policy priorities in Brazil. - **Legal Clarity:** Provides a clear statutory framework for the classification and treatment of grants versus other forms of public support. - **Inclusion in Legal Databases:** Indexed in LexML Brazil and maintained under the WikiProject Brazilian Laws for structured legal documentation. - **Public Domain Status:** As a Brazilian federal statute, it is in the public domain, ensuring open access to legal information. ## Body ### Legal Framework and Classification Law No. 3959 of September 14, 1961 is a Brazilian federal statute that falls under the broader legal category of "statute" — a formal written document that creates law. As such, it is part of Brazil’s statutory law and functions as a legal norm. It is classified as an instance of a "legal term or legal concept" and is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." The law was created through the legislative process and is a manifestation of statutory law in Brazil. ### Publication and Approval Details The law was officially published on **September 14, 1961**, in **Brasília**, the capital of Brazil. It was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**, with **João Goulart** serving as President at the time of its promulgation. The legal citation for the law is **Lei nº 3959/1961**, and its unique identifier in the LexML Brazil system is **urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-09-14;3959**. ### Main Subject and Scope The primary subject of Law No. 3959 is the regulation of **grants ("Subvenção")** and **nonprofit organizations ("Instituição Assistencial")**. It outlines the conditions under which such institutions may receive financial support from the government. The law ensures that the provision of grants is carried out in a manner that aligns with public interest and institutional accountability. ### Jurisdiction and Language The law applies to the **jurisdiction of Brazil** and is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of the country. It is part of the broader corpus of Brazilian statutory law and is accessible to the public through official government portals. ### Full Text and Accessibility The complete text of Law No. 3959 is available online at the official website of the Brazilian Presidency: [Presidência da República - Legislação](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3959.htm). As a government legal document, it is in the public domain, ensuring unrestricted access for citizens, legal professionals, and institutions. ### Role in Legal and Social Policy Law No. 3959 plays a critical role in Brazil’s social policy framework by providing a legal basis for the allocation of public funds to nonprofit organizations. It ensures that such support is granted transparently and in accordance with established legal norms. This contributes to the stability and effectiveness of civil society organizations that provide essential services in areas such as education, health, and social assistance. ### Inclusion in Legal Databases and Projects The law is indexed in **LexML Brazil**, a national legal database that provides structured access to Brazilian legislation. It is also part of the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, an initiative aimed at organizing and documenting Brazilian legal texts in structured knowledge systems. This inclusion enhances its discoverability and integration into global legal and academic research. ### Public Domain and Copyright Status As a Brazilian federal statute, Law No. 3959 is in the public domain, in line with the "edict of government doctrine" observed in jurisdictions like the United States and France. This ensures that the law is freely accessible to the public, reinforcing principles of open government and legal transparency. ### Legacy and Continuing Relevance Despite being over 60 years old, Law No. 3959 remains relevant in Brazil’s legal system. It continues to serve as a reference point for the regulation of grants to nonprofit organizations, reflecting its enduring importance in the country’s institutional and legal landscape. Its longevity underscores its foundational role in shaping Brazil’s approach to public-private partnerships in the social sector. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-09-14;3959) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3959&ano=1961&data=14/09/1961&ato=f7aMzaE5keVRVT1df)