![A graffiti artist paints a pushcart as part of the “Pimp My Carroça” community art project in in São Paulo, Brazil, on August 13, 2017. The Open Society Foundations work to support human rights, democratic governance, the arts, and a vibrant civil society in Latin America and the Caribbean. Photo credit: © Edmir Júnior A man spray-painting a cart](http://web.archive.org./web/20180325084439im_/https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/homepagerotator/20180102-junior-pimp-my-carroca-1300.jpg)
A graffiti artist paints a pushcart as part of the “Pimp My Carroça” community art project in in São Paulo, Brazil, on August 13, 2017. The Open Society Foundations work to support human rights, democratic governance, the arts, and a vibrant civil society in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Read more »![Women carry their children at a shelter in Poltava, Ukraine, on September 18, 2013. All too often, women who use drugs are marginalized, ignored, and left alone to defend their children and themselves in unsafe environments. The Open Society Foundations support efforts to bring people out of the shadows and recognize their right to be full and equal members of their communities. Photo credit: © Yuri Kozyrev/NOOR/Redux Women holding infants](http://web.archive.org./web/20180325084439im_/https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/homepagerotator/20171208-kozyrev-ukraine-women-shelter-1300.jpg)
Women carry their children at a shelter in Poltava, Ukraine, on September 18, 2013. All too often, women who use drugs are marginalized, ignored, and left alone to defend their children and themselves in unsafe environments. The Open Society Foundations support efforts to bring people out of the shadows and recognize their right to be full and equal members of their communities.
Read more »![Nzinga Dotson-Newman moved to Brooklyn, New York, two years ago to find what she described as “freedom.” She now has a business making clothing and accessories from African materials. The work exhibited in Moving Walls 24 / Here We Are: Visual Resistance and Reclaiming Narratives engages with art and documentary practice as forms of resistance. Photo credit: © Ruddy Roye Woman in a scarf](http://web.archive.org./web/20180325084439im_/https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/homepagerotator/20170915-roye-pan-african-1300_0.jpg)
Nzinga Dotson-Newman moved to Brooklyn, New York, two years ago to find what she described as “freedom.” She now has a business making clothing and accessories from African materials. The work exhibited in Moving Walls 24 / Here We Are: Visual Resistance and Reclaiming Narratives engages with art and documentary practice as forms of resistance.
Read more »![Syrian refugee families arrive at their new homes in Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland, on December 4, 2015. The United Kingdom’s Community Sponsorship program helps local residents take the lead in ensuring that refugee families are not only welcomed but given the resources and human connections they’ll need to thrive in their new homes. The Open Society Foundations support efforts to improve the settlement of migrants and refugees. Photo credit: © Christopher Furlong/Getty Woman holding a child](http://web.archive.org./web/20180325084439im_/https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/homepagerotator/20170724-furlong-scotland-refugees-1300.jpg)
Syrian refugee families arrive at their new homes in Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland, on December 4, 2015. The United Kingdom’s Community Sponsorship program helps local residents take the lead in ensuring that refugee families are not only welcomed but given the resources and human connections they’ll need to thrive in their new homes. The Open Society Foundations support efforts to improve the settlement of migrants and refugees.
Read more »![Tímea Junghaus poses for a portrait at Gallery8 Roma Contemporary Art Space in Budapest, Hungary, on May 27, 2017. Despite playing a vital role in arts and culture for hundreds of years, Roma contributions to European society too often go unnoticed. The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture will help Roma break that silence and tell their own stories. The Open Society Foundations support those fighting to end all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Photo credit: Akos Stiller for the Open Society Foundations Woman standing in an art gallery](http://web.archive.org./web/20180325084439im_/https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/homepagerotator/20170526-stiller-junghaus-timea-9441-1300.jpg)
Tímea Junghaus poses for a portrait at Gallery8 Roma Contemporary Art Space in Budapest, Hungary, on May 27, 2017. Despite playing a vital role in arts and culture for hundreds of years, Roma contributions to European society too often go unnoticed. The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture will help Roma break that silence and tell their own stories. The Open Society Foundations support those fighting to end all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
Read more »About George Soros
![](/web/20180325084439im_/https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/photos/george-soros-square.jpg)
George Soros launched his philanthropic work in South Africa in 1979. Since then he has given over $32 billion to fund the Open Society Foundations, which work in over 100 countries around the world.
Our Mission
The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people.
Issues
Regions
Grants
Open Society Voices
Four police officers in Paris are on trial for assault, in a case that is highlighting the human cost of abusive and discriminatory policing.
In response to escalating calls for more gun control, some U.S. leaders have recommended institutionalizing more people with mental health problems instead. But that would be a terrible—and tragic—mistake.
Events
Priscilla Hayner’s new book explores the dilemmas that arise when peacemakers seem to have to choose between settling an armed conflict and holding accountable those responsible for severe human rights violations.
Azamat Altay was the voice of democracy on Radio Liberty. Chingiz Aitmatov became a renowned novelist in Soviet Kyrgyzstan. Despite being pulled apart by the Cold War, they were joined by a common mission to champion freedom.