(FORTUNE Magazine) – Soros's Open Society Institute, which takes its name from philosopher Karl Popper's phrase for free and democratic states, supports 33 foundations that funnel money into global philanthropy. Many of Soros's greatest successes have been in Eastern Europe, where Soros was close to dissidents who came to power after the fall of Communism (though his record in Russia was mixed). All told, his annual giving rivals the Ford Foundation's. --Christopher Tkaczyk

Soros's foundations and programs are active in 60 countries. Here are a few highlights:

OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE--RUSSIA $1 billion 1987 TO 2003 Funded independent media, health care, and scientific research. But he shut his foundation there in June.

OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE/U.S. $565 million 1996-PRESENT Initiatives include: reducing gun violence, campaign finance reform, and improved care for the dying.

CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY/HUNGARY $300 million 2001 Endowed the Central European University, a graduate school in Budapest.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION/SOUTH AFRICA $135 million 1993-PRESENT Affordable housing for low-income South Africans.

STEP BY STEP $110 million 1992-PRESENT A childhood-education program active in 29 countries.

FUND FOR AN OPEN SOCIETY/SERBIA $100 million 1991-PRESENT OSI's involvement in the former Yugoslavia helped bring down the dictatorship of Slobodan Milosevic.

INTL. HARM REDUCTION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM $52 million 1997-PRESENT 200 centers in 26 countries for HIV/AIDS prevention.

FONDATION CONNAISSANCE ET LIBERTE $35 million 1995-PRESENT Community development in Haiti, including funding for schools and libraries.

ALBANIAN EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT $30 million 1994-2002 Helped rebuild the Albanian school system.

IRAQ REVENUE WATCH $150 thousand MAY 2003-PRESENT Monitors the use of Iraq's oil revenue.