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George Soros to donate $220 million to racial justice initiatives
Open Society Foundations announced that it is investing $220 million into the push for racial justice
Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros’ Open Society Foundations pledged Monday to invest $220 million in organizations working to promote racial equality in the US.
According to the foundation, $150 million will be given in five-year grants to "Black-led justice organizations that helped to create and now sustain the momentum towards racial equality." Racial equality groups like Black Voters Matter and Circle for Justice Innovations are among the recipients.
"We recognize that the struggle to dismantle systemic racism is an ongoing one; it has existed from the dawn of the republic to the present day, and is embedded in every level of government and in our penal and justice systems," said Open Society Foundations’ President Patrick Gaspard.
He continued, "But the power surge of people who have taken to the streets to demand that this nation do better—people of all ages, from all backgrounds, and in every corner of this country—gives hope to us all."
The remaining $70 million will be divided among local initiatives that support progress towards racial justice. Some of the money will go toward "nurturing the civic engagement of young people," by funding internships.
Additionally, initiatives that "support for ongoing efforts to fight voter suppression and disinformation."
The announcement comes amid widespread protests for racial equality and calls for police reform that erupted after the death of George Floyd.