NEW YORK – Open Society Foundations (OSF) has reassured those within the human rights field that it continues to lend support, expressed by its president, Binaifer Nowrojee, during a recent statement. Founded by George Soros, a billionaire investor, the organization has been a leading source of funding for human rights initiatives. However, since 2021, OSF has undergone a substantial reorganization, which has included the closure of certain programs and staff reductions, prompting concerns among its partners regarding future support.
Nowrojee emphasized that under new leadership, specifically referring to Alex Soros, the board has embarked on a renewed vision for the organization’s mission. As the United Nations prepares to observe Human Rights Day on December 10, Nowrojee stressed the need to communicate OSF’s ongoing commitment to human rights, dispelling fears that recent changes would lead to a withdrawal from promoting equity and justice initiatives.
Although specifics on OSF’s funding priorities were not fully detailed, it was indicated that earlier this year, the foundations pledged an investment of $400 million aimed at fostering green jobs and advancing economic development. Additionally, a new initiative will focus on safeguarding environmental defenders in countries such as Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, though it will wrap up its activities after five years, as outlined by Sharan Srinivas, OSF’s programs director.
Srinivas remarked that a survey of existing donor commitments revealed a significant gap in support for those facing threats while defending natural resources. He noted that while larger organizations often receive backing, it remains challenging for defenders who operate outside of major urban centers. A notable feature of the new program is its provision for longer grant durations, allowing for three- to five-year agreements that afford grantees greater flexibility, along with allocated funds to address emergencies for human rights advocates globally.
In 2020, OSF emerged as the primary global supporter of human rights, making it the largest financial contributor and benefactor to numerous grants, as indicated by the Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN). The ripple effect caused by shifts in funding priorities has raised alarms, particularly in regions where OSF has historically been a strong ally for human rights causes, according to HRFN’s recent reports.
Amidst this backdrop, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund has also announced plans to conclude its operations by 2028, augmenting the prevailing uncertainty in the human rights funding landscape. Nowrojee clarified that OSF’s global employee count is targeted at 600, a reduction from the estimated 800 employees reported in 2021.
Recent years have seen OSF retract from various initiatives, including scaling back public health programs while significantly diminishing its presence within the European Union. Additionally, efforts focused on Roma communities have been spun into a separate organization, concluding its partnerships with many grantees.
Nowrojee articulated the belief that philanthropy should adapt rather than become stagnant. She noted substantial achievements in several areas from which OSF has retreated, emphasizing that the evolution reflects the ongoing strengthening of movements rather than a lack of value in those efforts.
Former staff members from OSF’s public health program have documented their experiences through an oral history initiative in partnership with the University of Southern California’s Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, funded by OSF. Jonathan Cohen, the former head of the public health program, discussed how a significant reallocation of funds in 2020 for COVID-19 response signaled potential changes in OSF’s trajectory.
Cohen shared reflections on the struggle to maintain the public health initiative amidst organizational transitions. The Network of Sex Work Projects, which OSF actively supported, has been particularly affected; it was established in the early 90s in response to violence against HIV-positive sex workers. Ruth Morgan Thomas, a long-time coordinator for the organization, expressed her hope for OSF to retain its commitment to promoting the rights and inclusion of sex workers in the future.