named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Asia Empowerment Fund
Supports civil society groups in Asia advancing democratic governance, administered through Tides Foundation.
Digital Services Act Enforcement Initiative
Supports Reset Tech and Aspiration in promoting enforcement of digital accountability rules to protect election integrity and fundamental rights in the EU.
International Fund for Public Interest Media
Seeds new revenue streams for public interest media in the Global South, managed by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
Open Society University Network
Global network of higher education institutions coordinated through Bard College’s Center for Civic Engagement to promote open societies and democratic values.
Women's Political Leadership Fund
Fiscally sponsored project hosted by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to advance women's participation in politics and governance globally.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
University-Specific Endowment and Program Funding 3 activities
- Funding Bard College with general supportProvides general support grants to Bard College, a partner institution in the Open Society network.
- Funding Central European University with general supportProvides general support funding to Central European University, an institution aligned with advancing open society principles and academic freedom.
- Funding travel and learning opportunities for global civic engagementFinances the Institute of International Education Inc to manage a fund enabling individuals and organizations to participate in international convenings, exchanges, education, research, and travel aimed at advancing open societies.
-
-
Human Rights Advocacy Funding 2 activities
- Funding The Barack Obama Foundation’s international leadership programsSupports the expansion of The Barack Obama Foundation’s global initiatives, including Leaders, Scholars, and Fellows programs, to strengthen democratic leadership worldwide.
- Funding civil society groups in Asia advancing democratic governanceSupports the Asia Empowerment Fund through Tides Foundation to strengthen civil society organizations promoting democratic governance in Asia.
-
-
General Operating Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding Media Development Investment Fund with general supportProvides general operating support to the Media Development Investment Fund, which strengthens independent media globally.
-
-
Public Media Funding 1 activity
- Funding public interest media development in the Global South via Rockefeller Philanthropy AdvisorsSupports the International Fund for Public Interest Media through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc to help develop sustainable revenue models for public interest media in the Global South.
-
-
Women's Rights and Empowerment Grants 1 activity
- Funding the Women's Political Leadership Fund via Rockefeller Philanthropy AdvisorsAwards grants through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc to establish and advance the Women's Political Leadership Fund, which supports inclusive democracies and open societies.
-
-
Uncategorized 3 activities
- Funding enforcement of the Digital Services Act to protect election integritySupports Reset Tech in efforts to uphold the Digital Services Act, aiming to safeguard public safety, fundamental rights, and electoral processes in digital spaces.
- Funding social media accountability during EU electionsGrants funds to Aspiration to enforce social media platform rules during the 2024 European Union elections to reduce disinformation and protect democratic integrity.
- Funding the Open Society University Network's administrative hub at Bard CollegeFunds Bard College's Center for Civic Engagement to serve as the operational and administrative center for the Open Society University Network.
-
financials · form 990PF · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$396.48M
Contributions & grants$37.80M10%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$472K0%
Other revenue$329.89M
expenses
Total expenses$139.91M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$4.73M
Grants paid out$146.89M
balance sheet
Total assets$5.40B
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$4.70B
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -9.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 11
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BINAIFER NOWROJEE | PRESIDENT (AS OF 4/1/2024) | 40 | $1.06M |
| LEONARD BENARDO | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $954K |
| SAMANTHA STOKES-BAYDUR | CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER | 40 | $831K |
| LAURA SILBER | TRUSTEE (AS OF 12/19/2024) | 40 | $757K |
| DEBBIE FINE | GEN COUNSEL, SECRETARY (AS OF 1/17/24) | 40 | $602K |
| MAIJA ARBOLINO | TREASURER/CFO | 40 | $576K |
| NICOLE WILETT | CHIEF OF STAFF (THRU 1/31/2024) | 40 | $394K |
| MARK MALLOCH-BROWN | TRUSTEE & PRESIDENT (THRU 3/31/2024) | 10 | $323K |
| CATHERINE LIVINGSTON | GEN COUNSEL, SECRETARY (THRU 1/17/24) | 40 | $64K |
| SMITA SINGH | CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER (FORMER) | 0 | $25K |
| GREG TAYLOR | GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF OPS (FORMER) | 0 | $3K |
board members · 1
- ALEXANDER SOROS — TRUSTEE
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- ASPIRATION Partner — Receives funding to enforce social media accountability rules during the 2024 EU elections.
- BARD COLLEGE Partner — Receives funding to support its Center for Civic Engagement as the administrative hub for the Open Society University Network.
- CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY Partner — Receives general support funding from Open Society Institute.
- INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION INC Partner — Receives funding to manage a travel and learning fund for global participation in education, research, and exchanges.
- MEDIA DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT FUND Partner — Receives general support funding.
- RESET TECH Partner — Receives funding to support enforcement of the Digital Services Act to protect public safety and election integrity.
- ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC Partner — Receives funding to host and support the Women's Political Leadership Fund and the International Fund for Public Interest Media.
- THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION Partner — Receives funding to scale up international programs including Leaders, Scholars, and Fellows initiatives.
- TIDES FOUNDATION Partner — Receives funding to support the Asia Empowerment Fund for civil society groups advancing democratic governance.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Digital Platform Accountability for Democratic Integritymethodology: digital_platform_accountabilityBy supporting enforcement of social media accountability rules, we reduce disinformation during elections, because binding oversight mechanisms deter bad-faith actors and compel platforms to prioritize transparency and civic responsibility.
- Supporting Women's Political Leadershipmethodology: womens_political_leadershipBy establishing and supporting the Women's Political Leadership Fund, we increase women's political participation, because dedicated funding and institutional support reduce structural barriers to entry and amplify women’s influence in shaping inclusive democracies.