Open Society Foundations Announce a $20 Million Investment to Support Haitian Civil Society

NEW YORK-In an effort to address the urgent needs of Haiti amidst an ongoing political, economic, and security crisis, the Open Society Foundations today announced a commitment of $20 million to support Haitian civil society. The investment will support a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening Haitian civil society and fostering inclusive development.

Open Society's commitment comes as part of a new campaign created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and partners, Pockets of Hope, to catalyze philanthropic support for community-led education, health, economic security, and other initiatives in Haiti.

Haiti is facing its greatest humanitarian crisis since the 2010 earthquake. Nearly half of its more than 11 million people, including 3 million children, are on the brink of starvation. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and hospitals, schools, banks and other critical institutions continue to be targets of violence.

"Haiti is in urgent need of support, and philanthropic organizations need to step up and offer meaningful assistance," said Alex Soros, chair of the Open Society Foundations. "By combining our resources with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, we can amplify our impact and provide vital support to Haitian civil society organizations working tirelessly to address these challenges."

Open Society's funding will target four areas:

• Strengthening the capacity of organizations advocating for human rights, women's rights, and gender equality in Haiti
• Protecting the well-being of smallholder farmers and rural livelihoods to enhance agricultural sustainability and food security
• Promoting arts and culture to advance dialogue and civic participation in ways that foster positive social change and community resilience
• Facilitating collaborations between universities and institutions to promote critical thinking, academic freedom, and intellectual inquiry
  

Soros noted that the Open Society Foundations have been funding civil society groups in Haiti since 1995. "Over the last 30 years, grassroots and civil society organizations in Haiti have taken a leading role in the struggle against the return of dictatorship and against government corruption," he said. "Open Society has been a leading international funder focusing specifically on reinforcing Haitian civil society. This new support is grounded in the relationships of trust and patience that we have developed with local Haitian groups over the years-and our confidence in their capacity to once again accompany Haitians on the road to a better future."

"At W.K. Kellogg Foundation, we are committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and promote equity and justice," said Alix Cantave, the foundation's senior program officer for Haiti. "By partnering with the Open Society Foundations, we can combine our efforts to empower Haitian civil society and advance sustainable development in Haiti."