The present article discusses the theme of volunteer associativism based on the theoretical foundation of the theory of donation (1960). In his empirical base are the primary data of a research carried out with leaders and/or founders of 14 Brazilian voluntary associations identified by a common action philosophy. The discussion analyzes the accomplishments of those associations and other voluntary actions also arisen in the 90s in Brazil. The necessity of anchoring to volunteer initiatives the perspective of circuit of exchange, proximity and reciprocity is highlighted in order to avoid relapses to merit actions which reactivate philanthropy and dependence is highlighted as a central conclusion.
Volunteer work; Theory of gift-giving; Child and adolescent tertiary health care; Social networks