Open Society Foundations, a philanthropic group founded by George Soros, announced Monday that it would be giving $220 million to the racial justice effort amid the death of George Floyd.
For decades, my foundations have invested in dismantling systemic racism—from ending the drug war to securing voting rights. Now, a new $220 million investment will build power in Black communities and new anti-racist policies in the U.S. https://t.co/x9zdM5JRCB pic.twitter.com/US4U80T9cv
— George Soros (@georgesoros) July 13, 2020
Astead Herndon of The New York Times wrote that the donation "will immediately reshape the landscape of Black political and civil rights organizations," putting Open Society Foundations "near the forefront of the protest movement."
Executive director of Open Society said that “the success of this movement, the largest in U.S. history, will be measured over years, not weeks, and we cannot say that Black lives matter and not make a multi-year commitment to a strategy set by and centering Black leaders and organizations who changed America’s sense of what is possible."
The donation will go toward supporting various social justice groups like Black Voters Matter and Circle for Justice, as well as established groups like Equal Justice Initiative and Repairers of the Breach, according to Axios.
The foundation is also set to invest a substantial amount into reforming the criminal justice system.
“It is inspiring and powerful to experience this transformational moment in the racial justice movement,” Patrick Gaspard, president of Open Society Foundations, said Patrick Gaspard.
“We are honored to be able to carry on the vital work of fighting for rights, dignity, and equity for oppressed people the world over started by our founder and chair, George Soros.”
Soros' son, Alexander Soros added that "these investments will empower proven leaders in the Black community to reimagine policing, end mass incarceration, and eliminate the barriers to opportunity that have been the source of inequity for too long."
