Open Society Foundations WHO WE ARE HOW WE WORK WHAT WE DO WHO WE ARE The Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros, are the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. We provide thousands of grants every year through a network of national and regional foundations and offices, funding a vast array of projects—many of them now shaped by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. George Soros Our History HISTORY George Soros, the founder and chair of the Open Society Foundations, began his philanthropic work in 1979, funding scholarships for Black African university students in South Africa and for East European dissidents to study in the West. Today, his Foundations fund groups and projects in more than 120 countries. Starting to Build a More Open World 1979 Encouraging Dissent Behind the Iron Curtain 1984 Supporting Democracy in China 1986 Fostering Open Societies in the Former Soviet Bloc 1989 Central European University Opens Its Doors 1991 Explore the full timeline MISSION 4:48 We believe that the solutions to the national, regional, and global challenges we face demand the free exchange of ideas and thought, and that everyone should have a voice in shaping the policies that affect them. We therefore work to build vibrant and inclusive societies, grounded in respect for human rights and the rule of law, whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We do this by supporting a diverse array of independent voices and independent organizations around the world—the civil society that provides a creative and dynamic link between the governing and the governed. We have a special focus on supporting those who face discrimination purely for who they are, such as Europe’s Roma people, and for those who find themselves pushed to the margins of mainstream society—such as drug users, prisoners, or sex workers. FINANCIALS The Open Society Foundations are the largest private human rights funder in the world, working to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Since its inception, the Open Society Foundations have had expenditures of more than $18 billion. 2020 Expenditures DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE $235.9M EARLY CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION $18.8M ECONOMIC EQUITY AND JUSTICE $136.4M EQUALITY AND ANTIDISCRIMINATION $137.1M HEALTH AND RIGHTS $128.5M HIGHER EDUCATION $126.3M HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS $81.9M INFORMATION AND DIGITAL RIGHTS $27.6M JOURNALISM $23.6M JUSTICE REFORM AND THE RULE OF LAW $84.3M CROSS-THEMATIC $113.0M OPERATIONS $243.4M TOTAL $1356.7M 050100150200 Explore the full interactive graph LEADERSHIP George Soros Founder / Chair George Soros launched his philanthropic work in South Africa in 1979. Since then he has given over $32 billion to fund the Open Society Foundations, which work in over 120 countries around the world. Alexander Soros Deputy Chair Alexander Soros is the deputy chair of the Open Society Global Board and a member of the Open Society-U.S. Advisory Board. View more leadership PROGRAMS In addition to our national and regional foundations, the Open Society Foundations’ work is supported by a network of thematic and geographic programs, whose activities include funding, research, advocacy, and litigation. Learn more about our programs OFFICES AND FOUNDATIONS The Open Society Foundations form a global network of entities and programs committed to local knowledge and national expertise. Our network includes national and regional foundations, as well as programs with regional or global reach, active in more than 120 countries, including hubs in Europe and the United States. View our offices and foundations GLOBAL BOARD Our Global Board helps guide our staff, partners, and grantees as they work throughout the world to promote justice, democracy, and human rights. View our global board Subscribe to updates about Open Society’s work around the world By entering your email address and clicking “Submit,” you agree to receive updates from the Open Society Foundations about our work. To learn more about how we use and protect your personal data, please view our privacy policy. VOICES Read the latest from our staff, grantees, and partners about how we’re working around the world to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. Learn more HOW WE FUND Every year the Open Society Foundations give thousands of grants to groups and individuals that work on the issues we focus on—promoting tolerance, transparency, and open debate. Learn more WHO WE ARE Our History George Soros Leadership Financials Policies Programs Offices and Foundations HOW WE WORK How We Fund Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships Awarded Grants WHAT WE DO Where We Work Themes Events Newsroom Publications Employment Contact Us © 2021 Open Society Foundations, some rights reserved. Terms and Conditions Privacy Accessibility We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience of our website, to collect anonymous statistics, and to keep our site reliable and secure. You may deny the use of all nonessential cookies by clicking “Reject.” By clicking “Accept,” you consent to the use of cookies on this site. For more information, see our cookie policy. Settings Accept Reject