What We Do

The Open Society Institute–Baltimore focuses on the root causes of three intertwined problems in our city and state: drug addiction, an overreliance on incarceration, and obstacles that impede youth in succeeding inside and out of the classroom. We also support a growing corps of social entrepreneurs committed to underserved populations in Baltimore.

Before we make a single grant, we analyze the root causes of a problem and examine research and innovative practices. Because we aim for lasting sustainable solutions, we engage public and private partners from the start. It is only then, with a clear picture of the problem, that we begin to focus our approach and diligently craft a roadmap for change.

Who We Are

OSI-Baltimore is part of the Open Society Foundations, a network of international foundations established by philanthropist George Soros. As part of the Open Society Foundations’ U.S. Programs, we are working to build a vibrant society that invites all people to participate fully in civic, economic, and cultural life. We encourage critical debate and respect diverse opinions.

We recognize that power is not broadly shared and that inequalities cut across multiple lines, including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and citizenship. To build a just and open society, we support efforts to expand accountability for those currently in power and to build power for historically excluded groups.

How We Came to Baltimore

In 1998, the Open Society Foundations, decided to open a field office in the United States. The Foundations’ U.S. Programs, headquartered in New York, was interested in finding a location where it could learn more about the dynamics in play in urban centers that result in persistent poverty and injustice and then invest significant charitable funds to address their root causes. It looked at a number of cities and ultimately decided that Baltimore—a city with typical urban problems but the resolve to address them—had a unique set of attributes that would make it a good choice as a "laboratory," where a number of initiatives could be tested and evaluated. OSI-Baltimore remains the only Open Society Foundations office in the United States that directs its work solely to solve problems in one city.

Challenge Before Us

Until 2005, OSI-Baltimore was funded solely by George Soros, whose contribution of more than $60 million to the city is the single largest outside philanthropic investment in Baltimore's history for work to help its most vulnerable citizens. Because of this investment, OSI-Baltimore has been a significant contributor to many efforts to support lasting change in this city.  

We now actively seek other investors to support our future work. Soros will match 1:1 all gifts. All funds raised from our investors go directly into four key initiatives as support from George Soros covers our administrative costs and overhead. Give a gift.

Site Credits

OSI-Baltimore website banner photograph: Murals created at the Lockherman Bundy Elementary School under the leadership of Jay Wolf Schlossberg-Cohen, Class VII Community Fellow, whose project is entitled "Rebuilding Through Art." Photograph by Eric Blair.