Promotes inclusive democracies and human rights globally.
The Open Society Foundations is a large philanthropic organization that focuses on building vibrant and inclusive democracies around the world. Their work is guided by local voices and global expertise, with a decentralized and bottom-up approach that allows for long-term strategies and flexibility to respond to sudden crises. The organization's focus areas include promoting justice, transparency, and open debate, with specific emphasis on human rights, democratic governance, and combating discrimination. They operate in over 120 countries across six regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and the United States. Financially, the Open Society Foundations have significant resources, with founder George Soros having given away more than $32 billion of his personal fortune to fund their work. Grants range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars and are awarded to organizations and activists that align with their values. Recent projects and organizations that have received funding include initiatives to address the climate crisis, promote disability rights, support refugees and migrants, and rebuild communities after natural disasters. Examples include a $3 million grant to Partners in Health to develop new approaches to treating multi-drug resistant TB in Lesotho and over $20 million invested to help Puerto Rico rebuild after Hurricane Maria. Criteria for receiving funding include alignment with the organization's values and focus areas, with a preference for projects that promote inclusive and just public policy at the national, regional, and international levels.