Open Society Foundations (OSF), based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, is a global grantmaking organization founded by financier George Soros. Since 1984, Soros has donated more than $32 billion to the foundations, and OSF has reported expenditures over $23 billion in its history. The organization began with a focus on scholarships for Black South African students during apartheid and the promotion of freer information flow in communist Eastern Europe, such as distributing photocopiers to civil groups.
In the decades following its founding, OSF expanded to operate in more than 100 countries, supporting a network of national and regional foundations, especially in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Its activities include funding independent groups that promote freedom of expression, transparency, and justice. For example, OSF has supported legal aid for wrongfully detained individuals, humanitarian efforts during the Balkan wars, and transparency in the extractive industries.
The leadership has shifted over time, with Binaifer Nowrojee becoming president in June 2024. While OSF is broad in its interests—ranging from public health (such as combating drug-resistant tuberculosis in Russia) to democratic reforms and educational initiatives—the foundation typically focuses on long-term societal change and rapid response to emerging crises. Its grantmaking model emphasizes flexibility, local engagement, and support for independent civil society actors. The organization continues to be among the world’s largest private funders of rights-oriented initiatives.