AI Is Suddenly Everywhere, but Philanthropy Has Been Involved for Years. Here Are the Top Funders

AI Is Suddenly Everywhere, but Philanthropy Has Been Involved for Years. Here Are the Top Funders

Artificial intelligence is on everyone’s mind now, but philanthropy has been boosting research or bracing for its implications for some time. Here are the major funders involved in the field.

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How Effective is Effective Altruism? A Deep Dive Into Two of Open Philanthropy’s EA-Inspired Programs

How Effective is Effective Altruism? A Deep Dive Into Two of Open Philanthropy’s EA-Inspired Programs

Effective altruism has had a rough year, but remains a major force within philanthropy. We take a closer look at two of this EA-driven outfit’s programs: farm animal welfare and biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.

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A Universal Flu Vaccine Could Save Millions of Lives. Private and Public Funders Hope to Make it a Reality

A Universal Flu Vaccine Could Save Millions of Lives. Private and Public Funders Hope to Make it a Reality

A universal flu vaccine could be a game-changer for global health and prevent future catastrophic pandemics. Several private funders are teaming up with government agencies to accelerate progress.

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IP Briefing: What's Going on With Philanthropy for Criminal Justice Reform?

IP Briefing: What's Going on With Philanthropy for Criminal Justice Reform?

Giving to organizations working on criminal justice reform has soared in recent years, expanding the work of existing organizations and seeding the creation of new groups. But fundraisers are wondering how long this trend will last.

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IP Briefing: What's Going on with Philanthropy for Animals and Wildlife?

IP Briefing: What's Going on with Philanthropy for Animals and Wildlife?

In IP’s weekly briefings, we provide an overview of what’s happening in a particular area of philanthropy, loaded with links to our past coverage and State of American Philanthropy research. This week: Animals and wildlife.

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With More Donors on Board, Open Philanthropy Is Spinning Its Criminal Justice Work into a New Fund

With More Donors on Board, Open Philanthropy Is Spinning Its Criminal Justice Work into a New Fund

Open Philanthropy, a leading funder of criminal justice reform, just announced that its program will now be an independent fund building on its work to date. The fund has already picked up some big donors.

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After an Unprecedented 2020, Criminal Justice Reform Fundraisers Forge Ahead

After an Unprecedented 2020, Criminal Justice Reform Fundraisers Forge Ahead

The pandemic and heightened concern about systemic racism prompted a huge surge in giving to criminal justice reform groups. We spoke with several fundraisers to learn how the past year impacted their work—and what’s next.

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One of Philanthropy's Biosecurity Leaders Steps Up Emergency Pandemic Giving

One of Philanthropy's Biosecurity Leaders Steps Up Emergency Pandemic Giving

The Open Philanthropy Project had been one of the few funders supporting pandemic preparedness before the COVID-19 outbreak, giving tens of millions in grants in recent years. What’s it been doing since this crisis began?

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Quantitative Advocacy: How an Effective Altruist Funder Backs Criminal Justice Reform

Quantitative Advocacy: How an Effective Altruist Funder Backs Criminal Justice Reform

The Open Philanthropy Project—backstopped by a large Facebook fortune—has quietly become a powerhouse backer of advocacy to reduce mass incarceration. But its approach distinguishes it from other top criminal justice funders.

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A Young Cryptocurrency Billionaire Turns to Philanthropy, Zeroing in on Catastrophic Threats

A Young Cryptocurrency Billionaire Turns to Philanthropy, Zeroing in on Catastrophic Threats

Ben Delo is the latest big donor to embrace effective altruism. But in an unusual twist, he’s focusing on catastrophic future threats like climate change. Will Delo’s move prod like-minded givers to tackle complex, long-term problems?

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Important But Neglected: Why an Effective Altruist Funder Is Giving Millions to AI Security

Important But Neglected: Why an Effective Altruist Funder Is Giving Millions to AI Security

Open Philanthropy Project’s unique approach has led it to animal welfare, global health and curbing the risks of artificial intelligence—most recently with a $55 million grant for research and policy analysis on AI. What’s the thinking behind this big investment?

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Less Neglect, More Progress on Diseases That Affect Over 1 Billion People

Less Neglect, More Progress on Diseases That Affect Over 1 Billion People

Helped along by new donors like Richard Branson and some tech billionaires, the fight against neglected tropical diseases—such as trachoma, which causes blindness—is gaining momentum and scoring more gains.

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Momentum: With Gains on Criminal Justice Reform, More Grants Flow From a Top Funder

Momentum: With Gains on Criminal Justice Reform, More Grants Flow From a Top Funder

The MacArthur Foundation’s investment in reforming U.S. jails is now approaching $150 million. It’s increasing funding amid what it says are “promising results and an appetite for more reform” among local officials.

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This Powerhouse Funder is Still New to Scientific Research. Where Are Grants Going?

This Powerhouse Funder is Still New to Scientific Research. Where Are Grants Going?

The Open Philanthropy Project is now moving $100 million in grants a year, so it's a big deal that its research funding has finally been getting up to speed after a long gestation. Here's a peek. 

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Who's Backing a Long-Shot Effort to Fundamentally Reform American Voting?

Who's Backing a Long-Shot Effort to Fundamentally Reform American Voting?

Long marginalized ideas for how to improve U.S. elections are attracting new funding. We look at who's giving big in the space and one group that recently scored a transformative grant from a tech funder. 

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A Research Funder Knocks on the NIH's Door Looking for Ideas—And Big Grants Flow

A Research Funder Knocks on the NIH's Door Looking for Ideas—And Big Grants Flow

The Open Philanthropy Project has been feeling out different approaches for its nascent science program. One interesting RFP sent $11 million to a handful of applicants the NIH had to turn away.

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Bill Gates Sees a Threat That Could Kill 30 Million People. Some Funders Are Paying Attention

Bill Gates Sees a Threat That Could Kill 30 Million People. Some Funders Are Paying Attention

Gates recently sounded the alarm about the risks posed by weaponizing dangerous pathogens. He's not the only deep-pocketed funder who's been moving new resources to address biosecurity issues. 

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Vast Suffering, Clear Solutions: The Logic Behind a Global Push to Help Farm Animals

Vast Suffering, Clear Solutions:  The Logic Behind a Global Push to Help Farm Animals

With more donors drawn to effective altruism, we look at an example of how such giving unfolds in practice—in this case backstopped by the vast wealth of Facebook billionaire Dustin Moskovitz.

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