Many Open Society Foundations initiatives are established with predetermined life cycles and funding levels. Over the years, several of them have been either closed down completely or spun off as entities that are no longer affiliated with the Foundations.
A sampling of past initiatives are listed below.
The Arts Initiative (1998-2002) focused on exploring the role of the arts and fostering civil society in the United States. Grants supported policy initiatives related to free expression and increased participation in arts activities for all citizens, efforts to strenghten organization capacity, and special projects that engaged the public on issues relevant to the goals of the Foundations.
Children and Youth Programs brought innovative approaches to existing social and educational structures with an impact on the welfare and development of children and adolescents. Projects emphasized humane and democratic principles and promoted the development of the individual child to his or her full potential. The programs operated primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and other countries in Central Eurasia.
The Community Fellowships Program was established to assist individuals wishing to apply their education and professional experiences to serve disadvantaged communities. The program encouraged public and community service careers, expanded the number of mentors available to youth in inner-city neighborhoods, and promoted entrepreneurial initiatives that empower communities. The Baltimore Community Fellowships program continues at OSI-Baltimore; the New York City Community Fellowship Program has moved to the Research Center for Leadership in Action.
COLPI contributed to the development of open societies in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Mongolia by promoting the rule of law, respect for human rights, and modern democratic institutions. In 2002, COLPI was reconstituted as the Open Society Justice Initiative, which is affiliated with the Open Society Foundations.
The Drug Policy Alliance works to end the war on drugs in the United States and to promote new drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights. The organization, formerly known as The Lindesmith Center – Drug Policy Foundation, has been spun off from the Open Society Foundations.
The Economic and Business Development Program (1997-2006) assisted the Open Society Foundations in promoting the restructuring of transitional economies, focusing on building viable market economies and creating new jobs. The program's work continues as part of the Soros Economic Development Fund, a nonprofit private foundation.
The Emma Lazarus Fund (1996-2000) focused on combatting the unfair treatment of immigrants in the United States. In its final year, it was the lead funder of the Los Angeles Immigrant Funders' Collaborative, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations that support the needs of immigrant and refugee communities in the areas of health care, education, civic participation, and economic development.
The English Language Programs (1994-2005) were designed to help prepare individuals and groups for a world in which English has increasingly become a necessary language for international communication in professional and academic fields.
The EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program (2000-2009) monitored the development of selected human rights and rule of law issues in both the European Union and in its candidate and potential candidate countries. View an archive of EUMAP publications and articles.
The Forced Migration Projects (1994-1999) sought to promote an open society and the rule of law by encouraging state responsibility and respect for the human rights of refugees and displaced persons.
The Funders' Collaborative for Gun Violence Prevention (1998-2002) supported projects that reduce the harm caused by the widespread availability and misuse of guns. The collaborative was funded by the Open Society Foundations, the Irene Diamond Fund, and private donors. In April 2000, the initiative released Gun Control in the United States: A Comparative Survey of State Firearm Laws.
The Program on Governance and Public Policy (1998-2003) sought to strengthen the institutions of representative democracy in the United States, to reengage citizens in public life, and to ensure that public services respond to public needs.
The International Policy Fellowships Program (1998-2007) aimed to nurture a new generation of open society leaders in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Mongolia. A program archive is available at www.policy.hu. A successor initiative, the Open Society Fellowship, will continue the Open Society Foundations' commitment to supporting the development of public policy that advances civil society and democratic reform.
The Internet Program (1994-2000) assisted the Open Society Foundations and other Soros-supported organizations in delivering access, content, training, and constituency-building over the Internet to assist in acheiving open societies. In 2001, the Internet Program became a part of the Open Society Foundations Information Program.
The Landmines Project (1997-2001) supported nongovernmental organizations working to halt the use of landmines around the world, restore the land to communities, and assist survivors.
The Library Program (1995-2000) helped transform libraries in newly democratic countries into true public, service-oriented centers. In 2000, the Library Program became a part of the Open Society Foundations Information Program.
From 1999 to 2004, MAP supported efforts by physicians to improve the quality, distribution, and accessibility of health care in the United States. Its work continues with the Institute on Medicine as a Profession at Columbia University, Baltimore Reach, and Doctors for Healthy Communities.
The Program on Law Society (1997-2003) worked to expand access to civil legal assistance for low-income and marginalized communities in the United States, to protect the impartiality of U.S. courts, and to promote professional and public interest values over marketplace values in the U.S. legal profession. In 2003, many of the program's key grantmaking initiatives were brought within the broader U.S. Justice Fund. View a complete list of Program on Law and Society grants.
The Program on Reproductive Health and Rights (1997-2003) promoted reproductive freedom as a core element in advancing women’s civil liberties and human rights, and in securing larger social and economic opportunities for women and their families.
The Project on Death in America (1994-2003) sought to transform the culture and experience of dying and bereavement by fostering innovations in the provision of care, public education, professional education, and public policy. The Open Society Foundations International Palliative Care Initiative continues its work in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and South Africa.
Launched in 2002 by the Open Society Foundations, the Revenue Watch Program spun off into an independent organization in 2006. Now known as the Revenue Watch Institute, it is the only organization dedicated exclusively to addressing the special problems of oil, gas, and mining-dependent countries—countries where poverty, conflict, and corruption too often converge.
The Soros Documentary Fund (1996-2001) supported the production of documentaries on social justice and human rights issues from around the world. The program closed in the summer of 2001 and was spun off to the Sundance Institute in Los Angeles, California.
The Southern Initiative (1999-2002) supported grassroots organizations working to enhance political and educational opportunities and reform criminal justice in the southern United States.
TASC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality and availability of in-school after-school programs in New York City, New York State and, eventually, across the United States. TASC has been spun off from the Open Society Foundations. Visit the TASC website.
Open Society Foundations Youth Initiatives (2000-2004) aimed to develop the analytical, research, and self-expression skills that young people need to think critically about their world and to engage actively in U.S. society.
