OPEN
SOCIETY
FOUNDATIONS
Established in 1984 by finan- cial titan and philanthro- pist George soros to assist countries transitioning
from communism, the open society Foundations has significantly
expanded its u.s. and international
presence in the decades since its
founding. the organization is active
in more than 70 countries and is
involved in everything from tackling
drug addiction in Baltimore to supporting young people with disabilities
in africa. numerous initiatives focus
on education, such as promoting early
Book it
Giving 2.0: Transform Your
Giving and Our World by
Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen
“A philanthropist is anyone
who gives anything—time,
money, experience, skills,
and networks—in any
amount to create a better
world,” writes Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen. Be it volunteering, starting a giving
circle or other endeavors,
she guides givers on how
to get the most from their
generosity.
Half the Sky: Turning
Oppression into Opportu-
nity for Women Worldwide
by Nicholas D. Kristof and
Sheryl WuDunn
How to Be an Everyday
Philanthropist: 330 Ways
to Make a Difference in
Your Home, Community,
and World—at No Cost! by
Nicole Bouchard Boles
New York Times columnist
Kristof and his journalist wife
shed light on the oppression
of women and girls in the
developing world, why it’s
imperative to invest in their
health and autonomy, and
how even a little help can
transform lives. A two-part
PBS special on the book is
airing in late 2012.
In this call-to-action
resource guide, Nicole
Bouchard Boles offers hundreds of ideas for incorporating acts of philanthropy
into your everyday life.
childhood development in central
and eastern europe and provid-
ing scholarships so that students in
southeast asia and elsewhere may
attend universities abroad.
the open society Foundations’
offices in new york city, Washing-
ton, d.c., and Baltimore regularly
put on events covering such diverse
topics as the evolution of human
rights and the intersection of art
and politics. Baltimore residents and
visitors can check audaciousideas.org
to find out what the organization is
hosting as well as other happenings
around town.
anyone who wants to learn more
about the open society Foundations
and the causes it supports can visit
soros.org. the organization’s blog
features news on its far-reaching
and wide-ranging efforts, along with
accounts from people working for
change on the front lines.
“We have voices from around the
globe,” says senior communications
officer amy Weil. “this really gives
a snapshot into justice and human
rights issues and offers a real, first-person glimpse into what’s happening
all over the world.”
