Philanthropic Work

Mikhail Khodorkovsky's investment in corporate and individual philanthropy was unparalleled in Russia at the time before his arrest. Khodorkovsky introduced the concept of corporate social responsibility to the Russian business community.

In 1994 he founded the Podmoskovny Lyceum. Located on an 18th century estate outside of Moscow, the Lyceum provides a rigorous education to 130 underprivileged children. Students are selected from around the country and include orphans, victims of terrorism and children of servicemen. The highly qualified staff is dedicated to creating a caring and relaxed atmosphere and providing the best opportunities for each of the children, with the primary goal of helping each student qualify for a state grant to attend university in Russia.

In 2001, he took a personal interest in the organization and operations of his main philanthropic vehicle, the Open Russia Foundation, as well as various other projects of which he was a benefactor. Before Open Russia was closed by the Russian government in 2006, it was one of Russia's largest foundations, distributing more than $15 million a year to a wide variety of civic and charitable groups and institutions. Its programs were diversified across education and science, public health, leadership and cultural development, and support for populations indigenous to the areas in which YUKOS maintained production facilities.

Prior to Khodorkovsky's arrest, even highly-placed government officials noted the significance of his philanthropic efforts. In 2000, then-Deputy Prime Minister Valentina Matvienko said, "I call upon other companies in Russia to follow YUKOS' example in the country's social sphere."

In addition to Open Russia in Moscow, Khodorkovsky also funded Open Russia in London, which supported cultural and exchange programs designed to increase awareness and understanding between the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom.

Even after his arrest, Khodorkovsky continues to be engaged in philanthropic activities designed to promote development of civil society in Russia, establish rule of law, and strengthen EU & US Russia relationships.

Examples of some of Khodorkovsky’s other philanthropic initiatives include:

  • Open Russia Foundation – provided grants in support of cultural and educational projects aimed at bridging cultural gaps between Russia and the West
  • U.S. Library of Congress – $1 million donation was made to support exchange programs providing Russian academics with access to the Library’s resources, and to provide Russian judges with the opportunity to travel to the United States to observe the US judicial system in practice
  • Global Young Leaders – cultural exchange between young professionals from Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
  • New Civilization – summer camp for Russian youth designed to teach the importance of the rule of law and open markets to prepare the next generation of Russian leaders
  • Federation of Internet Education – organization designed to coordinate the mass training of schoolteachers in the use of Internet technology in their day-to-day work
  • Generation.ru – initiative to provide funding of information technologies in advancing the Russian education system
  • Koralovo Lyceum – construction and administration of a lyceum outside of Moscow for children who lost their parents as a result of terrorist activities, natural disasters and through service in the Russian military. Read more >>
  • Secondary and higher education – financial support to a large number of secondary and higher educational institutions in Russia, including the purchase of educational equipment, modernization of school buildings, and wiring of schools with computer and Internet technology
  • Public health – financial support for a variety of health-related programs in the cities and regions where YUKOS had business operations