Open Society Foundations

History and Impacts

George Soros, a Hungarian-American financier and philanthropist who escaped Nazi persecution and rose to become one of the world's most successful investors, founded the Open Society Foundations (OSF) as a global network of grantmakers dedicated to advancing the ideals of democracy, human rights, and social justice. The OSF support a wide range of initiatives that aim to foster open societies where governments are accountable to their people and where diversity and pluralism are celebrated. The OSF has disbursed more than $15 billion out of Soros' personal fortune of some $32 billion. Through grants, fellowships, research, advocacy, impact investment, and strategic litigation, the OSF seek to empower individuals and communities to challenge oppression, inequality, and intolerance.

The Open Society Foundations work on various initiatives that reflect their core values of democracy, human rights, and social justice. Key funding areas include civic engagement, education, equality, health, media, and women’s rights. OSF have also launched specific initiatives to address pressing issues such as: the collapse of state-run preschool systems in 15 former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans ($100 million); the need for changes to policing and criminal justice in response to racial injustice and police brutality in the United States ($70 million); or the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities around the world ($130 million). One of their key strategies is to support economic equity and justice for all people by reforming fiscal systems, corporate governance and labor rights protections to create opportunities for underprivileged people around the world. Another is to use strategic human rights litigation to challenge abuses of power and hold governments accountable.

Challenges and Strategies

The Open Society Foundations have faced criticism for their often bold and uncompromising support for activist groups that advocate for progressive causes. Some of these groups include those that oppose Israel's occupation of Palestine and call for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions against it; those that demand racial justice and police accountability in the US, such as Black Lives Matter; or those that defend reproductive rights and women's health, such as Planned Parenthood. 

OSF has also been targeted by some governments that seek to restrict their activities and funding. For example, the Indian government has placed them under a "watch list" for supporting NGOs and associations that are not registered under its foreign contribution regulation act. Despite these obstacles and attacks, the Open Society Foundations remain committed to their vision of promoting justice, transparency, and open debate.

OSF also employs innovative strategies to advance their mission and values, such as strategic human rights litigation and impact investing. The Justice Initiative, established in 2003, is one of their flagship programs that provides expert legal support for individuals and groups who seek to challenge human rights violations and hold governments accountable before domestic and international courts and tribunals around the world. The Open Society Foundations believe that strategic litigation is a powerful tool of empowerment and social change that can catalyze reforms, secure remedies, and shape jurisprudence in favor of human rights. Ultimately, the Open Society Foundations are a remarkable example of how one person's vision and generosity can inspire and empower millions of others to work for a better world through advancing the ideals of democracy, human rights, and social justice in more than 120 countries around the worldwide.

Contributor: Dion McDougal