The foundation was established amid the political crisis in Russia, which intensified after the
annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the suppression of domestic opposition. The founders include members of the Russian diaspora, political émigrés, and activists concerned about the decline of political freedoms and democratic institutions in Russia. The foundation's main offices are located in Washington, D.C., and
Brussels, with branches in
Tallinn,
Berlin,
Warsaw,
Kiev,
Lvov,
Tbilisi, and
Vilnius.
Key Personnel • David Kramer — Chair of the Board of Directors, former
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and former president of
Freedom House • — President of the foundation) •
Vladimir Kara-Murza — Vice President of the foundation •
Vladimir Milov — Vice President for International
Advocacy • Grigory Frolov — Vice President for Development •
Sergei Aleksashenko — Member of the Board of Directors •
Egor Kuroptev — Director of the foundation in South Caucasus == Criticism ==