Soros is a well-known supporter of progressive-liberal political causes. Between 1979 and 2011, Soros gave away over $8 billion to causes related to human rights, public health, and education. He played a significant role in the peaceful transition from communism to capitalism in Hungary (1984–89) and founded Europe's Central European University in Budapest, providing the initial endowment to open the first campus. Soros is also the chairman of the Open Society Foundations.