At a time in history when fraud, acts of extreme violence and alternative facts seem to be dominating news cycles, it has become increasingly difficult for American citizens to put their faith in the idea of equality, let alone in the concepts and practices of true democracy. Amid the tempestuous swirl of loud voices that drown out the cries and demands of the common American, it is surprising, even shocking, to find that one of the chief defenders of fairness and equal rights for all individuals is a wealthy billionaire. More surprising might be that this outspoken advocate and financial supporter of equality is committed to demonstrating his support on a global scale.

The investment savvy George Soros may have accumulated a massive amount of money, but he is no stranger to sharing his wealth with worthy causes. In a single year he contributed $33 million to civil activism and grassroots efforts to affect change. Perhaps his most recent high profile contribution in America was to the protests against racist police violence. Soros generously funded the protests in Ferguson, Missouri demanding justice for the death of Michael Brown at the hands of police officer Darren Wilson. Know more about George Soros on Business Insider.

Soros makes his donations to organizations and groups that already have an established agenda focused on personal freedom and equality for all, in hopes that a better funded, more well organized effort would spur civil action. His financial contributions not only aid in giving a voice to those in desperate need of one, they also make a pretty significant statement all on their own. His alliance with the alienated and discriminated is unapologetic. The director of his Open Society programs has even been quoted stating, “Helping groups combine policy, research [and] data collection with community organizing feels very much the way our society becomes more accountable.”

While his collaboration and financial contributions toward American justice and equality are indeed substantial, it is far from the only civil rights work George Soros is involved in. Having had first-hand experience with oppression during his childhood in Nazi occupied Hungary, Soros has obtained an eye for the injustices that burden people all around the world. He has met with leaders around the globe in an attempt to create a more beneficial world for everyone on it. His Open Society Foundation has projects and partners in 100 different countries involved in creating a better, brighter future for people of all types.

From his donations to black South African student scholarships during apartheid, to his legal funding of unlawfully held prisoners, to his contributions to American civil rights action, George Soros has proven to be in a philanthropy category all his own. He is well aware that is wealth gives him an opportunity for a greater degree of independence, and he clearly has no problem sharing that wealth in hopes that it will do the same for others. Learn more on discoverthenetworks.org about George Soros.