Funding search · EIN 263753801 · New York, NY
Foundation To Promote Open Society
A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.
- 3,312
- grants reported
- $1.72B
- total given
- 2022–2024
- filing years
- $250,000
- median grant
Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 2022–2024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.
What they fund
Full IRS filings ↗How this is builtReport an error
Funding pattern
What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.
Where the money goes
- General support for democracy and civil society groups worldwide
- Open Society network affiliates and national foundations abroad
- Human rights defenders, accountability, and justice organizations
- Green industrial policy, climate finance, and economic development research
- Higher education tied to Bard, CEU, and the Open Society University Network
- Latin American and African policy research and civic power building
Typical grant
Median grant is $250,000, with the middle half running $105,000 to $500,000. The eight-figure checks go to network entities and long-standing institutional partners such as Open Society Foundation London, Bard College, Central European University, and the Soros Economic Development Fund, while most everyone else lands between $100,000 and $1 million. Many recipients appear more than once in the same year and across years, so repeat and multi-tranche giving is the norm rather than the exception.
Their words
Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.
- “TO PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT”
- “open, democratic societies around the world”
- “TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS”
- “green industrial policy”
- “civil society, inclusion, and human rights”
- “marginalized communities”
Positioning adjacent work
- Tie research to green industrial policy, climate finance, or state capacity in the Global South.
- Ask $250,000 to $1 million; above that requires an existing institutional relationship.
- Frame outputs as research and analysis that informs policymakers, not academic publication.
- Consider a fiscal sponsor like New Venture Fund, Proteus, or Amalgamated; they fund these routinely.
Worth knowing: Money concentrates hard in New York and Washington DC and in the Open Society network itself, with a handful of affiliates and Bard-linked entities absorbing several hundred million. Giving looks strongly relationship-driven and heavily international, so a cold approach from an unconnected US-based researcher faces long odds without a partner already inside their portfolio.
36 grants matching “activist” · $9.2M
- $700,000
International Planned Parenthood Federation · 2024
To support the grantee's work on strategic communications and narratives, responding to opposition, and supporting activists and social movements in the context of the push back on sexual and reproductive health and rig… read allTo support the grantee's work on strategic communications and narratives, responding to opposition, and supporting activists and social movements in the context of the push back on sexual and reproductive health and rights (srhr) and gender rights less
- $560,000
Rockwood Leadership Institute · Oakland, CA · 2024
To provide capacity and leadership development support to activists, advocates, organizers, and other actors in the racial justice field
- $500,000
Astraea Foundation · New York, NY · 2024
To build a resilient and holistic security infrastructure for lgbti activists across asia and the pacific
- $446,775
University of Ottawa · 2024
To support the work of the human rights research and education center (hrrec) to achieve wider recognition and protection of activists in exile and to pilot a leadership strengthening hub for a cohort of exiled activists
- $277,000
Upwardly Global · New York, NY · 2024
To conduct a pilot project on workforce and peer support for exiled and nonprofit activists and human rights defenders
- $200,000
Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism · Alameda, CA · 2024
To support activists and organizations with immediate needs and operational and legal support
- $200,000
Equation Campaign and Global Climate Legal Defense · Novato, CA · 2024
To protect the human and civil rights of climate activists and environmental defenders
- $162,500
Human Rights Activists · Fairfax, VA · 2024
To provide general support
- $100,000
South Asian Avant-Garde Incorporated · Brooklyn, NY · 2024
To support the grantees work on literary and arts activities of underserved and underrepresented writers, artists, and activists of the south asian diaspora
- $560,000
Rockwood Leadership Institute · Oakland, CA · 2023
To provide capacity and leadership development support to activists, advocates, organizers, and other actors in the racial justice field
- $446,775
University of Ottawa · 2023
To support the work of the human rights research and education center (hrrec) to achieve wider recognition and protection of activists in exile and to pilot a leadership strengthening hub for a cohort of exiled activists
- $360,000
Simone Leigh Studio · Brooklyn, NY · 2023
To support the publication of a retrospective on simone leigh's exhibition 'sovereignty' from the 59th venice biennale to benefit the work of artists and activists by providing public engagement on black women in creati… read allTo support the publication of a retrospective on simone leigh's exhibition 'sovereignty' from the 59th venice biennale to benefit the work of artists and activists by providing public engagement on black women in creative labor less
- $277,000
Upwardly Global · New York, NY · 2023
To conduct a pilot project on workforce and peer support for exiled and nonprofit activists and human rights defenders
- $250,000
Human Rights Activists · Fairfax, VA · 2023
To support capacity building and training, improved coordination and security for organizations working on human rights
- $200,000
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2023
To support the grantee's fiscally sponsored program, equation campaign, to protect the human and civil rights of climate activists and environmental defenders
- $200,000
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2023
To support the grantee's fiscally sponsored program, urban movement innovation fund, to support young activists navigating the risks inherent in challenging powerful actors to advance the climate justice movement for cu… read allTo support the grantee's fiscally sponsored program, urban movement innovation fund, to support young activists navigating the risks inherent in challenging powerful actors to advance the climate justice movement for current and future generations less
- $162,500
Human Rights Activists · Fairfax, VA · 2023
To provide general support
- $160,611
Institute for the Development of Human Arts · New York, NY · 2023
To support the grantee's work on transformative mental health, building a community and network of activists in the field of transformative mental health
- $150,000
Laboratorio De Litigio Estructural · 2023
To support the production of a documentary on the life and work of anti-torture activist juan mendes
- $131,250
Middle East Policy Network · Washington, DC · 2023
To support a convening of partners and activists and to develop a monograph on struggle and post-colonial powers
- $600,000
Rockwood Leadership Institute · Oakland, CA · 2022
To provide capacity and leadership development support to activists, advocates, organizers, and other actors in the racial justice field
- $500,000
The George Washington University · Washington, DC · 2022
To support scholarly, policy, and activist communities advancing progressive causes in eurasia
- $300,000
National Center for Civic Innovation · New York, NY · 2022
To support the 2023 22nd century conference for anti-authoritarian researchers, experts and activists
- $250,000
Tides Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2022
To provide support for the activist incubator education fund, a project of the grantee designed to develop and train young organizers and prepare them for leadership opportunities in social justice organizations
- $250,000
Astraea Foundation · New York, NY · 2022
To build a resilient and holistic security infrastructure for lgbti activists across asia and the pacific
- $250,000
Internet Archive · San Francisco, CA · 2022
To support researchers, journalists, academics, activists and others to access archived eurasia tv programming content
- $200,000
Human Rights Activists · Fairfax, VA · 2022
To provide general support
- $179,250
University of the West Indies · 2022
To identify, map and bring together communities, associations, ngos and activist groups advancing climate justice in the caribbean
- $137,516
Voices of Community Activists and Leaders · Brooklyn, NY · 2022
To build the capacity of harm reduction and community organizations in the united states to take on drug policy and drug user organizing activities
- $110,000
Human Rights Activists · Fairfax, VA · 2022
To support accountability within human rights through global magnitsky designations
- $100,000
Human Rights Activists · Fairfax, VA · 2022
To provide general support
- $100,000
350org · Boston, MA · 2022
To develop leadership skills for emerging climate activists across 9 - 12 caribbean nations, with a focus on driving ambitious climate action from governments, businesses and communities
- $75,000
Voices of Community Activists and Leaders · Brooklyn, NY · 2022
To support the grantee's expansion efforts with two new chapters, one national and one in kentucky
- $52,000
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Ar · New York, NY · 2022
To support the cooper union school of art's intra-disciplinary seminar, a series of lectures, open to and free for the public, by artists, theorists, activists, designers, writers, curators and other practitioners invol… read allTo support the cooper union school of art's intra-disciplinary seminar, a series of lectures, open to and free for the public, by artists, theorists, activists, designers, writers, curators and other practitioners involved in the arts from positions that embody an interdisciplinary approach or that imply new uses for disciplinary traditions less
- $30,000
Bushwick Workshop Space · Brooklyn, NY · 2022
To fund a learning delegation from chile who were part of la primera film to travel to puerto rico and have an exchange with local activists
- $10,000
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center · Chicago, IL · 2022
To support a collaboration between the grantee and the afro puerto rican studies program at the university of puerto rico to connect feminist scholars and activists
Top recipients
Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.
- Open Society Foundation London5 grants · $148.0M
- Soros Economic Development Fund3 grants · $55.8M
- Central European University51 grants · $54.0M
- Bard College36 grants · $43.9M
- Amalgamated Charitable Foundation18 grants · $29.1M
- Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors34 grants · $25.3M
- Roma Foundation for Europe2 grants · $21.0M
- The Boston Foundation1 grant · $20.0M
- Alliance for Open Society International3 grants · $19.8M
- Open Society Initiative for West Africa1 grant · $19.5M
Giving over time
Grant history
The 100 largest of 3,312 grants.
- $44.9M
Open Society Foundation London · 2024
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $42.8M
Open Society Foundation London · 2022
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $41.2M
Open Society Foundation London · 2023
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $25.0M
Soros Economic Development Fund · New York, NY · 2024
To support grantee's program related investment activities
- $20.6M
Soros Economic Development Fund · New York, NY · 2023
To support grantee's program related investment activities
- $20.0M
Bard College · Annandaleonhudson, NY · 2024
To provide general support
- $20.0M
The Boston Foundation · Boston, MA · 2024
To support the fokal designated fund
- $19.5M
Open Society Initiative for West Africa · 2023
To support the grantee's non-lobbying programs, which promote inclusive democratic governance, transparent and accountable institutions, and active citizenship in africa
- $15.6M
Roma Foundation for Europe · 2024
To provide general support
- $15.0M
Central European University · New York, NY · 2024
To support research, outreach activities and operating costs of the budapest-based units of central european university in the 2024/25 academic year
- $15.0M
Central European University · New York, NY · 2023
To support research, outreach activities and operating costs of the budapest site of central european university in 2023/24 academic year
- $12.3M
Alliance for Open Society International · New York, NY · 2023
To provide support for open society institute-baltimore's charitable programs and operations
- $12.0M
International Crisis Group (Washington Office) · Washington, DC · 2023
To provide general support
- $11.0M
Open Society Foundation London · 2023
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $10.2M
Soros Economic Development Fund · New York, NY · 2022
To support grantee's program related investment activities
- $10.0M
Equis Institute · San Francisco, CA · 2023
To provide general support
- $10.0M
Hopewell Fund · Washington, DC · 2023
To support the nonpartisan free election fund, a sponsored project of the grantee that protects the rights of all citizens to participate fully in our democratic process and safeguards our free and fair elections
- $8.4M
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2023
To support the buildus fund, a sponsored project of the grantee, in ensuring the equitable implementation of federal legislation for marginalized communities across the u.s.
- $8.4M
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the equis institute, a project of the grantee that seeks to help latinx community-based organizations overcome racism and historic disenfranchisement to elevate latinx voices in our democracy
- $8.1M
Open Society Foundation London · 2024
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $6.9M
Alliance for Open Society International · New York, NY · 2022
To provide support for open society institute-baltimore's charitable programs and operations
- $6.2M
Roma Education Fund Romania Foundation · 2023
To provide general support
- $6.0M
Common Counsel Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2023
To support the movement for black lives, a project of the grantee that creates alternative solutions to harmful institutions, policies, and practices for all black communities across the nation
- $5.7M
European Council On Foreign Relations · 2023
To provide general support
- $5.4M
Roma Foundation for Europe · 2023
To provide general support
- $5.2M
Amnesty International Limited · 2024
To provide general support
- $5.0M
The National Trust for Local News · Lexington, MA · 2023
To provide general support
- $5.0M
Voter Registration Project · Washington, DC · 2023
To provide general support
- $5.0M
Equis Institute · San Francisco, CA · 2022
To provide general support
- $5.0M
Hopewell Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the democracy docket legal fund, which challenges suppressive voting laws and practices in court
- $4.4M
International Crisis Group (Washington Office) · Washington, DC · 2022
To provide general support
- $4.4M
Possibility Labs · San Francisco, CA · 2023
To support cllctivly, a fiscally sponsored project of the grantee, to launch the maryland black futures fund that will deploy capital to black power-building and movement-based organizations in maryland
- $4.2M
Colorofchangeorg Education Fund · Oakland, CA · 2023
To provide general support
- $4.1M
Fondation Connaissance Et Liberte · 2022
To provide general support
- $4.0M
Borealis Philanthropy · Minneapolis, MN · 2023
To support the black-led movement fund, a project of the grantee, a national donor collaborative seeking to build a new generation of racial justice advocates promoting systemic social change
- $4.0M
Bvm Capacity Building Institute · Atlanta, GA · 2023
To provide general support
- $4.0M
Borealis Philanthropy · Minneapolis, MN · 2022
To expand the efforts of the communities transforming policing fund to identify, support, and nurture promising community-based police reform campaigns
- $4.0M
Open Society Foundation for Albania · 2023
To provide general support
- $3.9M
Fondation Connaissance Et Liberte · 2023
To provide general support
- $3.8M
Institute for Human Sciences · 2024
To provide general support
- $3.5M
New America Foundation · Washington, DC · 2023
To support the grantee's new practice lab, which conducts research and analysis on family economic security and wellbeing
- $3.4M
Open Society Foundation Ggmbh · 2022
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $3.4M
Tides Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2023
To support the asia advancement fund to enhance participatory and good governance in south asia
- $3.3M
Open Society Foundation for Albania · 2024
To provide general support
- $3.3M
Neo Philanthropy · New York, NY · 2023
To support the four freedoms fund, a project of the grantee that works to protect immigrants rights and ensure immigrants full inclusion within american society and communities
- $3.2M
Redi International · 2023
To provide general support
- $3.2M
Civil Society Foundation · 2024
To provide general support
- $3.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2023
To support the grantees fiscally sponsored program, climate emergency collaboration group, to coordinate a strong philanthropic collaboration, provide nimble strategic funding, and bring greater alignment around the key… read allTo support the grantees fiscally sponsored program, climate emergency collaboration group, to coordinate a strong philanthropic collaboration, provide nimble strategic funding, and bring greater alignment around the key outcomes of the annual conference of parties of the united nations framework convention on climate change in order to ensure a just, multilateral response to climate change that responds to the needs of the most climate vulnerable less
- $3.0M
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace · Washington, DC · 2024
To provide general support
- $3.0M
Fondation Connaissance Et Liberte · 2024
To provide general support
- $3.0M
United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Cha · 2024
To provide general support
- $3.0M
University of California Berkeley Foundation · Berkeley, CA · 2023
To support an endowment for ukrainian studies at uc berkeley
- $3.0M
Common Counsel Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2022
To support the movement for black lives, a project of the grantee that creates alternative solutions to harmful institutions, policies, and practices for all black communities across the nation
- $3.0M
Ideas Innovacion Infraestructuras E Industrializ · 2024
To support research and analysis of sustainable industrial development, regional integration, and green infrastructure projects in latin america
- $3.0M
Open Society Foundation Ggmbh · 2023
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $2.9M
Stefan Batory Foundation · 2024
To support democracy and open society efforts in central and eastern europe
- $2.8M
Open Society Foundation for South Africa · 2022
To support non-lobbying program activities related to criminal justice, human rights, democracy building, public health, media freedom and access to information
- $2.8M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
To support the learning & action hub for democracy (d-hub), a fiscally-sponsored project of the grantee, to advance democratic renewal through providing educational and peer-to-peer learning opportunities
- $2.8M
Open Society Foundation Ggmbh · 2023
To support non-lobbying activities and programs promoting open, democratic societies around the world
- $2.8M
Freedom House · Washington, DC · 2023
To provide general support
- $2.7M
Nossas Cidades · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.7M
United Nations Economic Commission for Latin Ameri · 2024
To support state capacities in latin american and caribbean countries to drive productive development and regional integration, fostering a more productive, inclusive, and sustainable future that contributes to the regi… read allTo support state capacities in latin american and caribbean countries to drive productive development and regional integration, fostering a more productive, inclusive, and sustainable future that contributes to the region's economic and climate prosperity less
- $2.7M
Pef Israel Endowment Funds · New York, NY · 2022
To bolster democratic values, civic engagement, and volunteerism in the state of israel
- $2.7M
Global Witness · 2023
To provide general support
- $2.6M
Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator · 2023
To provide general support
- $2.6M
Open Society Foundation for Albania · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.5M
Trustees of Boston University · Boston, MA · 2023
To provide support to the global development policy center's global economic governance initiative
- $2.5M
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2024
To support global fund for a new economy to build new institutional infrastructure of the new economy field, including civil society, academia, and media that seek to build a global economy that is more inclusive and su… read allTo support global fund for a new economy to build new institutional infrastructure of the new economy field, including civil society, academia, and media that seek to build a global economy that is more inclusive and sustainable less
- $2.5M
Araminta Gug · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.5M
Ethiopia Education Initiatives · New York City, NY · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.5M
London School of Economics and Political Science · 2024
To support the establishment of a new multidisciplinary program on the political economy of cohesive capitalism at the london school of economics and political science
- $2.5M
Global Fund for Women · San Francisco, CA · 2023
To support the building of another world that is affirming of black women and gender expansive people by building a network of black women in philanthropy, conducting research on how black women are supported and provid… read allTo support the building of another world that is affirming of black women and gender expansive people by building a network of black women in philanthropy, conducting research on how black women are supported and providing long term funding to black women-led organizations less
- $2.5M
Way To Rise · Washington, DC · 2023
To support way to rise's valiente fund in order to build latinx civic, economic, and cultural power
- $2.5M
Howard University · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the center for journalism and democracy, housed at howard university, to train and support the next generation of black investigative journalists in order to broaden the field of journalism, build a more incl… read allTo support the center for journalism and democracy, housed at howard university, to train and support the next generation of black investigative journalists in order to broaden the field of journalism, build a more inclusive and equitable sector, and strengthen american democracy as a whole less
- $2.4M
Oxfam Mexico Ac · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.4M
Global Witness · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.4M
American University of Central Asia · 2023
To support students from central asian countries with scholarships and provide program support for auca's liberal arts activities, student mobility, and faculty and student research
- $2.4M
Global Witness · 2022
To provide general support
- $2.4M
International Media Support (Ims) · 2022
To provide general support
- $2.4M
Caps Unlock · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.4M
Institute of International Education · New York, NY · 2022
To allow the grantee to create and manage a travel and learning fund for latin american individuals and organizations to participate in convenings, exchanges, education, global learning, conducting research, and travel
- $2.3M
Bard College · Annandaleonhudson, NY · 2023
To create a robust ecosystem of academic collaboration and advance the integration of teaching, learning, and curricula across osun
- $2.3M
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group · New York, NY · 2022
To provide general support
- $2.1M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2023
To support the grantees fiscally sponsored program, global center for climate mobility, to educate the public, mobilize support, and advocate in multilateral and international forum about climate-induced mobility and di… read allTo support the grantees fiscally sponsored program, global center for climate mobility, to educate the public, mobilize support, and advocate in multilateral and international forum about climate-induced mobility and displacement through promotion of the regional climate initiatives less
- $2.1M
Central European University · New York, NY · 2024
To support the establishment of the osun forum on democracy & development, a collaborative research platform structured around five thematic hubs centered on critical themes pertaining to contemporary democratic realiti… read allTo support the establishment of the osun forum on democracy & development, a collaborative research platform structured around five thematic hubs centered on critical themes pertaining to contemporary democratic realities across geographies less
- $2.1M
Tides Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2023
To support the diaspora alliance, a project of the grantee, in its efforts to promote just, equitable, and democratic societies by combating antisemitism and challenging its politicization
- $2.1M
United Nations Conference On Trade and Development · 2023
To support the grantee's educational, policy, research and analyses on debt and taxation reforms for the benefit of vulnerable communities in borrower countries in the global south
- $2.1M
Colorofchangeorg Education Fund · Oakland, CA · 2022
To provide general support
- $2.1M
Democracy Development Foundation · 2023
To provide general support
- $2.1M
El Centro De Estudios Legales Y Sociales (Cels) · 2023
To provide general support
- $2.0M
Bard College · Annandaleonhudson, NY · 2022
To provide fellowships for newly-arrived afghan professionals and scholars in north america and the uk
- $2.0M
Center for American Progress · Washington, DC · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.0M
Center for Civilians in Conflict · Washington, DC · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.0M
Institute for Economic Justice · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.0M
Instituto Cultura Comunicacao E Incidencia · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.0M
Sustainable Solutions for Africa (Ssa) · 2024
To conduct research and prepare and disseminate educational information on climate adaptation
- $2.0M
Yayasan Celios Pencerah Bangsa · 2024
To provide general support
- $2.0M
Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote · Washington, DC · 2023
To provide general support
- $2.0M
Borealis Philanthropy · Minneapolis, MN · 2023
To expand the efforts of the communities transforming policing fund to identify, support, and nurture promising community-based police reform campaigns
- $2.0M
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace · Washington, DC · 2023
To provide general support
Who else funds this kind of work
Same state
- The Bloomberg Family Foundation815 grants · $3.00B
- Pfizer Patient Assistance Foundation134 grants · $5.49B
- Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund19,135 grants · $6.79B
Similar purposes
- The San Francisco Foundation6,369 grants · $813.9M
- Open Society Action Fund582 grants · $498.4M
- Amalgamated Charitable Foundation4,367 grants · $577.0M
Similar grant size
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting3,863 grants · $2.33B
- Walton Family Foundation3,288 grants · $1.65B
- The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation5,652 grants · $1.75B
Grants already paid are the record; PaperOrbit reads your paper and finds the funders whose record matches it — then explains why.
Search funders like this oneSource: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.

