The article analyzes the concept of corporate citizenship and its practices in Brazil, in a context of papers redefinition of social and local development agents within a shared public space. It emphasizes one particular kind of relation between business and third sector organizations, based on the example of three corporate foundations, located in Bahia, members of GIFE - Group of Institutes, Foundations and Companies. Some concepts related to the practice of corporate citizenship, like philanthropy, social responsibility and business ethics, are discussed. The examples are helpful to discuss the contradictions between competition and solidarity, showing some dilemmas faced by these organizations - from philanthropy to strategic action, from business to third sector, from global practices to national and local organization characteristics.