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Open Society Foundations

Annual Giving
$1.2B
Grant Range
$10K - $40.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.2 billion
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (highly competitive)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $40,000,000 (majority fall between $10,000 - $500,000)
  • Geographic Focus: International (120+ countries across all continents)

Contact Details

Website: www.opensocietyfoundations.org Phone: 212-548-0600 Address: New York, NY Grant Portal: myapplications.my.site.com/fcgrantee/FGM_Portal__CommunitySignin EIN: 13-1837418

For inquiries about specific programs, organizations should contact the relevant program directly through the website, as each program has its own strategy and process.

Overview

Founded by investor and philanthropist George Soros in 1979 with scholarships to Black South Africans under apartheid, the Open Society Foundations has grown into one of the world's largest private philanthropic organizations with $25 billion in assets. Soros has donated over $32 billion to the foundations since 1984, of which $15 billion has been distributed through more than 50,000 grants. In 2023 alone, OSF awarded 2,350+ grants with total 2024 expenditures of $1.2 billion. Named after Karl Popper's 1945 book "The Open Society and Its Enemies," the foundations work globally to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. In June 2024, Binaifer Nowrojee became the first woman and first person from the global south to lead OSF as president, succeeding Mark Malloch-Brown. Under Alexander Soros's chairmanship of the Board of Directors, OSF continues its commitment to critical thinking, local knowledge, and risk-taking in philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

OSF is currently building its work around new time-bound goals rather than maintaining standing programs. Grantmaking is organized across four interconnected thematic areas:

Democratic Practice: Promotes free and open debate that holds those in power accountable. Supports effective and sustainable independent journalism, investigative reporting, independent media in developing countries, and outlets that give voice to marginalized groups. Grant amounts vary widely based on scope and scale.

Rights and Dignity: Supports work advancing human rights at all levels, from grassroots organizing to international advocacy. Recent commitments include multiyear support for human rights defenders, the global reparations movement addressing historical injustices of slavery and colonialism, and the Shelter City Initiative providing support to rights defenders in danger.

Equity in Governance: Focuses on promoting inclusive political participation and new state-led economic models of green economic transformation. Works to ensure democratic governance systems serve all citizens equitably.

Future Worlds: Addresses emerging challenges and opportunities, including climate justice, information and digital rights, and technological impacts on society.

Regional Initiatives: In 2024, OSF announced three major multiyear programs in Africa totaling $340-350 million to advance civic engagement, economic prosperity, and peacebuilding, prioritizing African agency and locally defined solutions.

Fellowship Programs: OSF offers various fellowship opportunities including the Leadership in Government Fellowship (US-focused, does not fund degree enrollment or dissertation research) and the Fellowship Advancement Fund providing support to OSF alumni.

Priority Areas

OSF actively funds work in:

  • Human rights defense and advocacy
  • Justice and accountability for human rights abuses
  • Democratic governance and civic engagement
  • Economic justice and social rights for underprivileged peoples
  • Organizations challenging authoritarianism
  • Independent journalism and media
  • Equality and antidiscrimination initiatives
  • Climate justice
  • Justice reform
  • Arts and culture
  • Financial justice
  • Information and digital rights
  • Higher education (historically ~$60 million annually)

What They Don't Fund

While OSF does not maintain a comprehensive public list of exclusions, based on available information:

  • Fellowship programs do not fund enrollment for degree or non-degree study at academic institutions or dissertation research
  • Generally does not fund grassroots operations unless they can scale quickly and create regional coalitions
  • Will not provide more than one-third of any organization's budget in most cases
  • Given the invitation-based approach, organizations that do not align with current strategic priorities and program goals are unlikely to receive funding

Governance and Leadership

President: Binaifer Nowrojee (appointed March 2024, began June 2024) - The first woman and first person from the global south to lead OSF. She brings over two decades of experience with OSF, having served as East Africa Foundation director, regional director for Asia Pacific, and vice president for Organizational Transformation. Born in London to an Indian family and raised in Kenya, she is recognized for her work prosecuting sexual violence under international law and testified as an expert witness at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Chair of the Board of Directors: Alexander Soros

Founder: George Soros - Investor, philanthropist, and author who has given over $32 billion to the foundations since 1979, guided by the philosophy that no ideology is the final arbiter of truth and that societies flourish through democratic governance, freedom of expression, and respect for individual rights.

Leadership Philosophy: President Nowrojee has stated her commitment to "philanthropy grounded in critical thinking, local knowledge, and risk-taking, to advance human rights, equity, and justice," continuing George Soros's vision while bringing fresh perspective from the global south.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: The vast majority of grants are awarded to organizations that OSF approaches directly. Open applications are limited and vary by program.

The application process varies significantly by program:

  • Some programs use Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for specific initiatives
  • Others invite Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) or concept papers
  • Many programs work by invitation only
  • Some opportunities are available through OSF's network of national and regional foundations

To explore opportunities:

  1. Visit the official grants page at opensocietyfoundations.org/grants to view current open opportunities
  2. Review the four thematic areas (Democratic Practice, Rights and Dignity, Equity in Governance, Future Worlds) to identify program alignment
  3. Contact the relevant program directly to inquire about fit and process
  4. Subscribe to email updates for new grant announcements
  5. Check national and regional foundation websites for location-specific opportunities

OSF provides both project grants and general operating support, and funds formally established organizations as well as informal organizations or networks through intermediaries (fiscal sponsors or fiscal agents).

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program and are not standardized across OSF. Given the diverse range of programs and funding mechanisms, applicants should inquire with the specific program about expected timelines.

Success Rates

OSF does not publicly disclose success rates. However, grantmaking is described as highly competitive. With 2,350+ grants awarded in 2023 from what is likely tens of thousands of inquiries and proposals, the acceptance rate is understood to be quite selective.

Reapplication Policy

OSF does not publish a specific reapplication policy. Given that each program has its own strategy and selection process, unsuccessful applicants interested in reapplying should contact the relevant program directly to discuss timing and appropriateness of resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Values

Organizations seeking OSF funding must demonstrate clear understanding of the social issues they aim to address and articulate how their solutions resonate with open society principles: democratic governance, human rights, freedom of expression, and individual dignity. OSF is not looking for organizations that simply need funding—they seek partners with vision whose efforts will lead to lasting social change.

Local Knowledge and Context

OSF increasingly emphasizes locally defined solutions and regional expertise, particularly following its strategic restructuring. Under President Nowrojee's leadership, the foundations prioritize "philanthropy grounded in critical thinking, local knowledge, and risk-taking." Organizations with deep community roots and contextual understanding have strong appeal, especially when they can demonstrate authentic representation of the communities they serve.

Research Past Grantmaking

Successful applicants thoroughly research OSF's past grants in their region and issue area. The foundations maintain a public database of 20,583+ awarded grants filterable by year, amount, and region. Understanding what OSF has funded—and hasn't funded—in similar contexts helps applicants position their work appropriately and identify genuine alignment.

Comprehensive Budgets and Timelines

OSF expects detailed, realistic budgets that account for personnel costs, materials, travel expenses, and indirect costs. Budgets should demonstrate financial sustainability beyond OSF funding, as the foundations typically do not provide more than one-third of an organization's budget.

Ability to Scale and Create Coalitions

For grassroots organizations seeking OSF support, demonstrating capacity to scale quickly and create regional coalitions significantly improves prospects. OSF tends to favor work that can amplify impact beyond a single community or constituency.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

  • Human Rights Defenders: Support for advocates from Pakistan working on public health campaigns and women's education through the Shelter City Initiative
  • Reparations Movement: Infrastructure and sustainability support for the global movement addressing historical injustices of slavery and colonialism
  • Africa Initiatives: Three multiyear programs ($340-350 million total) advancing civic engagement, economic prosperity, and peacebuilding with emphasis on African agency
  • Democratic Practice: Multiyear commitments supporting critical human rights actors at all levels, from grassroots to international
  • Constitutionalism: $50,000 grant to promote constitutionalism and rule of law through solidarity mission to Senegal
  • Technology and Rights: $50,000 grant to expand human rights and technology work

Strategic Guidance from OSF

Given the invitation-based approach, the most important strategic advice is to build visibility and credibility in your field. OSF program officers actively scan their respective landscapes for effective organizations. This means:

  • Publishing research and analysis
  • Building coalitions and partnerships
  • Achieving measurable results
  • Being visible in networks where OSF program officers participate
  • Developing relationships with other OSF grantees who might recommend your work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-based approach: OSF awards most grants to organizations they approach directly, so building field visibility and relationships with current grantees is as important as formal applications. Focus on doing excellent work that gets noticed rather than pursuing unsolicited proposals.

  • Program diversity requires research: With each program having its own strategy, process, and priorities, generic approaches fail. Invest time understanding the specific program most aligned with your work, review their past grantmaking patterns, and tailor inquiries accordingly.

  • Think beyond single projects: OSF increasingly focuses on time-bound goals and systemic change rather than isolated projects. Frame your work in terms of lasting social change, scaling potential, and ability to create regional coalitions or movements.

  • Local knowledge is currency: Under current leadership, OSF strongly values locally defined solutions and authentic community representation. Organizations from the global south with deep contextual expertise have particular appeal—emphasize your unique positional knowledge.

  • Scale and sustainability matter: Be prepared to demonstrate financial sustainability beyond OSF funding and explain how your work can scale. OSF typically won't provide more than one-third of organizational budgets and favors work with multiplicative effects.

  • Geographic alignment creates opportunities: With major recent commitments to Africa ($340-350 million) and ongoing work across 120+ countries, understanding OSF's regional priorities helps identify timing advantages. New regional initiatives often create expanded funding opportunities.

  • Relationship building is long-term: Given the competitive landscape and invitation-based approach, think of engagement with OSF as a multi-year relationship-building process. Attend conferences where OSF staff present, connect with their grantees, share your research, and gradually build recognition in your field.

References

  1. Open Society Foundations Official Website - Grants and Fellowships. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants. Accessed November 2024.

  2. Open Society Foundations - How We Fund. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/how-we-work/how-we-fund. Accessed November 2024.

  3. Open Society Foundations - Applying for a Grant: Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/faq. Accessed November 2024.

  4. Open Society Foundations - Financial Figures. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/who-we-are/financials. Accessed November 2024.

  5. Open Society Foundations - History of the Open Society Foundations. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/who-we-are/our-history. Accessed November 2024.

  6. Open Society Foundations - Binaifer Nowrojee Appointed New President. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/newsroom/binaifer-nowrojee-appointed-new-president-of-open-society-foundations-mark-malloch-brown-to-step-down. Accessed November 2024.

  7. Open Society Foundations - Funding New Paths Toward Open Society—an Update. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/funding-new-paths-toward-open-society-an-update. Accessed November 2024.

  8. Inside Philanthropy - Open Society Foundations. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-o/open-society-foundations. Accessed November 2024.

  9. Inside Philanthropy - Who Is Binaifer Nowrojee, the New President of Open Society Foundations? https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2024-3-13-who-is-binaifer-nowrojee-the-new-president-of-open-society-foundations. Accessed November 2024.

  10. fundsforNGOs - How to Prepare a Successful Proposal for the Open Society Foundations. https://www2.fundsforngos.org/articles-searching-grants-and-donors/how-to-prepare-a-successful-proposal-for-the-open-society-foundations/. Accessed November 2024.

  11. Open Society Foundations - What We Do. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/what-we-do. Accessed November 2024.

  12. Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants Database. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past. Accessed November 2024.

  13. InfluenceWatch - Open Society Foundations. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/open-society-foundations/. Accessed November 2024.

  14. Wikipedia - Open Society Foundations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Society_Foundations. Accessed November 2024.

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