The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the profile of caregivers of elderly in long-term care facilities. The studied population included 181 randomly selected caregivers, 98 from philanthropic and 83 from private institutions in the city of Belo Horizonte. Data were collected applying structured questionnaires. The variables evaluated were sex, age group, educational level, marital status, income, economic condition, time of work in the facility, and professional experience. The data were compared using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. There was no statistically significant difference between caregivers from the two facilities with regard to sex (p=0.62) and income (0.77). In the philanthropic facilities we observed more caregivers aged 50 years or more, widowers, with less than 4 years of study, socio-economic level D and who were working as caregivers in the facility for more than two years (p<0,05). The results of this study are relevant for discussing developing and implementing public policies aimed at qualifying the caregivers in long-term care institutions for elderly in Belo Horizonte.