Open Society Justice Initiative Democracy Anchor Grants

The Open Society Justice Initiative Democracy Anchor Grants program is a newly launched funding opportunity aimed at supporting organizations that use strategic litigation to safeguard and enhance democratic governance and the rule of law. Spearheaded by the Open Society Justice Initiative, a global legal advocacy organization with over two decades of experience, this initiative responds to growing threats to democratic systems worldwide. The program is positioned to back civil society actors that are actively defending democracy through legal channels, with an emphasis on building a resilient network of litigators who are deeply engaged with the communities they serve. This funding opportunity targets organizations litigating in domestic, regional, or international courts to combat interference in democratic processes, executive overreach, and threats against judicial independence. The eligible activities include legal action to protect voting rights, candidate participation, and the integrity of electoral systems; to challenge violence or repression against judicial figures; and to contest the misuse of governmental powers, including emergency decrees aimed at silencing dissent. Organizations must exhibit a history of strategic litigation, defined as litigation that combines legal actions with broader advocacy and community engagement strategies to create systemic change. To qualify, organizations must be nonprofit or charitable entities with an annual operating budget under $5 million USD. They must demonstrate a track record of having actively litigated cases in the past four years and possess sufficient internal legal capacity, including at least two legal staff members. Applicants are expected to have strong institutional practices, including appropriate governance, financial, and safeguarding policies. They must also be capable of collaborating with others in the field and engaging meaningfully with affected communities, including those from marginalized populations. A commitment to gender and intersectional equity is also highly valued. Grants will provide up to $500,000 per recipient for a period of up to three years. Approximately six to twelve grants are expected to be awarded. Funding can be either restricted or unrestricted, determined based on the applicant's needs and proposal content. Organizations already receiving Open Society funding may apply, provided their existing litigation-related support from Open Society does not exceed $150,000 or represent more than 50 percent of their annual budget. Sub-granting and collaborative applications are permitted, and fiscal sponsors are allowed under certain conditions. Applications must be submitted by April 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT. The initial submission is an Expression of Interest (EOI). Selected applicants will undergo additional steps, including interviews, submission through Open Society’s application portal, and a compliance review before final decisions are made. Award notifications are expected in August 2026, with onboarding and disbursement processes beginning shortly thereafter. Interested applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their proposed work contributes not only to immediate legal outcomes but also to strengthening the broader strategic litigation ecosystem. This includes plans for institutional reform, precedent-setting, advocacy, and community empowerment. Applicants must submit their EOIs in English, and only one submission per organization is permitted. For inquiries, applicants can contact the Justice Initiative via email at [email protected].