For three decades, the Open Society Foundations have supported justice, human rights, freedom of expression, public health, and education in more than 70 countries. Here are just a few highlights of our work.
1979
South Africa
Starting his philanthropy, George Soros funds scholarships for black students at the University of Cape Town and dissidents in Eastern Europe.
1984
Hungary
Establishing his first non-U.S. foundation, Soros distributes photocopiers to civil society to break the communist party’s control of information.
1986
China
Trying to promote open society, Soros’s foundation is infiltrated by the government’s secret police and closes three years later.
1989
Eastern Europe
Expanding open society foundations throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia as the Berlin Wall falls and communism collapses.
1991
Open Education
Founding the Central European University as a center of research and policy analysis that promotes the principles of open, democratic societies.
1993
Open Society Institute
Creating the Open Society Institute to oversee the expanding foundations network and promote open societies worldwide with expenditures reaching $300 million in 1994.
1993
After Apartheid
Supporting the fledgling South African democracy with $100 million over 15 years to support reconciliation, law reform, education, and independent media.
1993
War in Bosnia
Helping the besieged residents of Sarajevo survive, donating tens of millions of dollars for humanitarian aid and relief efforts during the war.
1994
Death and Drugs
Beginning work in the United States by trying to improve care of the terminally ill and to reduce the harm caused by drug abuse and the U.S. "war on drugs."
1994
Brain Drain
Paying some 24,000 Russian scientists $100 million over two years to keep them from leaving and taking their expertise to rogue regimes.
1994
Burma’s Junta
Launching a long-term campaign to increase international awareness of the repressive military rule and assist Burmese refugees and dissidents abroad.
1995
South African Housing
Providing $50 million to guarantee loans for the construction of low-cost housing for the three million people living in apartheid-era shantytowns.
1996
Open America
Addressing threats to U.S. open society with new programs, including efforts to reform harsh immigration laws and a fiercely punitive criminal justice system.
1997
African Society
Expanding the Foundations work in Africa with support for legal and economic reform and human rights, and reducing poverty, HIV, and political instability.
1997
TB Epidemic
Donating $12.3 million to treat tuberculosis, including multidrug-resistant TB, in overcrowded Russian prisons, then pushing for a global plan to stop TB.
1998
Baltimore Experiment
Selecting Baltimore for a comprehensive effort on treating urban ills, including failing schools, drug abuse, and an overreliance on incarceration.
1999
Immigrants
Helping immigrants negotiate the naturalization process and bring about the restoration of Supplemental Security Income and food stamps for some immigrants.
1999
Preschool and Debate
Establishing international associations for early childhood education and debate to help millions of students improve their chances in school.
2002
War Crimes
Founding of the International Criminal Court, long supported by the Open Society Foundations, becomes a reality with the ratification of more than 85 countries.
2004
EU Expansion
Celebrating the EU’s admission of eight Eastern European countries (and two more in 2007) that the Foundations helped transform into democracies.
2005
Roma Inclusion
Launching the Decade of Roman Inclusion with the World Bank and eight Eastern European governments to improve the lives of the Roma.
2006
Resource Curse
Establishing the Revenue Watch Institute to promote global efforts to make oil, gas, and mining companies disclose payments to governments.
2006
European Leadership
Creating the European Council on Foreign Relations to strengthen the European Union’s role in promoting open society at home and globally.
2007
Multidrug-Resistant TB
Expanding the TB fight with support for Partners In Health to help health care workers in Lesotho more effectively treat people with drug-resistant TB.
2007
Roma School Segregation
Helping win a European Court of Human Rights ruling that segregating Roma students into special schools violates fundamental human rights.
2008
U.S. Detainees
Following years of effort by grantees, the Supreme Court rules that foreign nationals held at Guantanamo have a right to petition U.S courts for release.
2008
Mental Disability
Partnering with the Foundations, Macedonia and Moldova agree to provide the mentally disabled with supported housing and community-based services.
2009
Postconflict Countries
Joining other funders to help rebuild war-torn Sierra Leone and Liberia with microfinance, health, education, and agricultural programs.
2009
Economic Crisis
Alleviating poverty with $100 million to Eastern Europe and $90.5 million in the United States, including back-to-school supplies for needy New York City children.
2010
Haiti's Earthquake
Contributing $4 million to four organizations doing life-saving work after the destructive earthquake and mobilizing more resources for reconstruction.
2010
Pakistan's Floods
Responding to the devastation and human suffering caused by the flooding with $5 million for emergency provisions like food, water, and medicine.
2010
Human Rights
Announcing a challenge grant of $100 million over 10 years to Human Rights Watch to enhance the protection of human rights around the world.
