Open Society Foundations Names Head of U.S. Philanthropy

The Open Society Foundations, a network of philanthropies established by financier George Soros that is active in seventy countries, has named Kenneth H. Zimmerman as its new director of U.S. programs.

In that role, Zimmerman will direct a grantmaking body that over the past several years has given more than $100 million annually in support of a diverse array of nonprofit groups working for equality, fairness, and justice in the United States.

An attorney with more than twenty years of experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Zimmerman has spent his career working on social justice issues, with a focus on boosting access to opportunity for people of color and low-income communities. Currently a litigation partner in the pro bono practice group of Lowenstein Sandler PC, he was also part of the presidential transition team that helped develop the Obama administration's strategy for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"I'm deeply honored to serve the Open Society Foundations as the head of U.S. Programs, especially at a time when our country faces such great challenges," said Zimmerman. "Philanthropy offers a remarkable vehicle to combine vision and resources to further our country's core principles of fairness and opportunity. It is a privilege to join an organization that has been at the forefront of working to make these ideals a reality for all people and all communities in this country, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable."

“Noted Civil Rights Attorney to Head Soros's U.S. Philanthropy.” Open Society Foundations Press Release 6/07/12.

Primary Subject: Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Secondary Subject(s): Civil Society
Location(s): New York, New York City

FC017884