Open Society Institute Creates Fund to Support Transformational Change in the United States

The global economic crisis and recent changes in the U.S. political environment have elevated the risks and opportunities for building a better society, resulting in a "perfect storm" for transformative change in America. In order to ensure that the most critical work could move forward during this period, the Open Society Institute's U.S. Programs has created a special fund, known informally as the "Seize the Day Fund," to provide timely support for efforts to:

• Advance the most challenging issues—including mass incarceration, immigration, drug policy, and structural inequality—as part of a transformative national agenda;
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and equity in the development and implementation of economic recovery plans;
• Increase public participation in policy reform efforts by those most impacted, including people of color, immigrant, and low-income communities; and
• Integrate recent innovations in organizing and technology into more organizations and movements.

The fund's priorities are closely linked and complementary, and many grants advance multiple strategies. View a list of grants awarded by this fund through July 2009.

Current Funding Opportunities

In July of 2009, the Open Society Institute issued a request for proposals to support alliances of state-based organizations working to assure transparency, equity, and accountability in the economic recovery at the state level. We are currently accepting proposals from the following six states: California, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. Through the OSI-Baltimore office, a Maryland-based alliance will also be considered under a separate process. Download the RFP.

Other requests for support from this fund are being considered by invitation only.