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Fact check: Which organizations has George Soros actually funded through his Open Society Foundations?

Checked on June 15, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The Open Society Foundations (OSF), founded by George Soros, operates as a private foundation making thousands of grants annually [1]. While Soros has been involved in funding progressive organizations, he maintains that his political activities are separate from the Open Society Institute [2]. The foundation has a documented history of funding specific organizations across multiple sectors, particularly in:

  • Human rights advocacy, including anti-torture groups and organizations opposing indefinite detention
  • Investigative journalism, notably the International Network of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)
  • Migration policy and support, including organizations like the Migration Policy Institute and Global Detention Project
  • Regional development, such as the International Renaissance Foundation in Ukraine [3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements need to be considered:

  • The foundation operates in over 50 countries and focuses on broader goals like press freedom, human rights, and economic reforms [3]
  • They emphasize their status as a private foundation making independent funding decisions with their own funds [1]
  • While many focus on Soros's political funding, the foundation's work spans multiple domains beyond politics, including entrepreneurship and social reforms [3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself might suggest a need to "expose" funding connections, when in fact:

  • The foundation is transparent about its grant-making activities and operates openly in numerous countries [1]
  • There's often confusion between Soros's personal political activities and the foundation's work, which he claims are separate entities [2]
  • The focus on Soros's funding can sometimes overshadow the actual work being done by recipient organizations

Those who benefit from emphasizing the funding connections might include:

  • Political opponents who want to delegitimize progressive causes by linking them to a single donor
  • Organizations seeking to create controversy around international philanthropy
  • Groups opposing specific initiatives in areas like migration or human rights reform
Want to dive deeper?
What is the total amount George Soros has donated through Open Society Foundations?
Which political candidates and parties have received funding from George Soros organizations?
What are the main criticisms and controversies surrounding George Soros' philanthropic activities?
How does Open Society Foundations' grant-making process work and what are their funding criteria?
What educational institutions and programs have been supported by George Soros funding?