About U.S. Programs

The Open Society Foundations’ U.S. Programs is 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 protect fundamental human rights, dignity, and the rule of law.

U.S. Programs recognizes 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.

We work to ensure that the benefits and responsibilities of society are shared by all within our society. We are committed to supporting the efforts of people and communities to press for change on their own behalf. We are dedicated to addressing the most pressing threats to open society, and we seek bold, integrated solutions that address root causes and advance systemic change.

U.S. Programs supports grantmaking, programming, and policy initiatives that:

• Build an inclusive society that increases opportunity for all while addressing the unique struggles faced by women, people of color, immigrants, poor people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
• Promote civic participation and develop new leaders, especially among communities that have been historically underrepresented.
• Ensure fair criminal justice, immigration, and national security policies, and reduce the over-reliance on incarceration and harsh punishment.
• Increase the transparency, integrity and accountability of institutions vital to open society.

U.S. Programs operates out of the Open Society Foundations office in New York, with OSI-Baltimore as its field office. Visit the OSI-Baltimore website.

In addition, the Open Society Foundations operate a Washington, D.C., office that focuses on addressing violations of civil liberties in the United States; expanding the Foundations’ policy and advocacy work in the areas of criminal and civil justice reform; and building a framework to influence debates over global economic policies, such as those involving international development assistance. Visit the OSI-Washington, D.C., website.