We envision a world in which philanthropists increasingly document and share their research, reasoning, results, and mistakes to help each other learn more quickly and serve others more effectively.
In this space, we often cross-post items from the blog of our partner, Open Philanthropy, to give readers a fuller picture of the reasoning behind our work.
Topics
Click a topic below to filter results for this section.
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01/12/2023
Blog: Give & Learn
In February, we launched the Regranting Challenge, aiming to add $150 million in funding to the budgets of outstanding grantmakers at other foundations. We saw the Challenge as an opportunity to maximize our impact, by: Adding funding to high-impact work that… Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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11/23/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy’s Global Health and Wellbeing team continues to investigate potential areas for grantmaking. One of those is education in poorer countries. These countries have massively expanded schooling in the last half century. but many of their students lack minimal numeracy and literacy. To support the team’s assessment of the… Read More
Topics:
Education,
Global Health & Development
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09/09/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
We were gratified to receive over 150 good-faith submissions to Open Philanthropy’s Cause Exploration Prizes, where we invited people to suggest a new area for us to support or respond to our suggested questions. We hoped that these submissions would help us find new ways to carry out our mission —… Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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07/25/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
We recently published two shallow investigations on potential focus areas to the Effective Altruism Forum. Shallow investigations, which are part of our cause selection process, are mainly intended as quick writeups for internal audiences and aren’t optimized for public consumption. However, we’re sharing… Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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07/21/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
Earlier this year, I wrote that Open Philanthropy was looking for someone to help us direct funding for our newest cause area: We are searching for a program officer to help us launch a new grantmaking program. The program would support… Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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07/15/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
Historically, economic growth has had huge social benefits, lifting billions out of poverty and improving health outcomes around the world. This leads some to argue that accelerating economic growth, or at least productivity growth,[1] should be a major philanthropic and social priority going forward. Read More
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06/16/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
When investigating a grant, Open Philanthropy staff often make probabilistic predictions about grant-related outcomes they care about, e.g. “I’m 70% confident the grantee will achieve milestone #1 within 1 year.” This allows us to learn from the success and failure of our past predictions and get better… Read More
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05/25/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
Update: We’ve now announced the recipients of these prizes. At Open Philanthropy, we aim to give as effectively as we can. To find the best opportunities, we’ve looked at many different causes, some of which have become our current focus areas. Even after a decade of research, we think… Read More
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05/12/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
This post compares our progress with the goals we set forth a year ago, and lays out our plans for the coming year. In brief: We recommended over $400 million worth of grants in 2021. The bulk of this came from recommendations to support GiveWell’s top charities and from our… Read More
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02/22/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
We are searching for a program officer to help us launch a new grantmaking program. The program would support projects and organizations in the effective altruism community (EA) with a focus on improving global health and wellbeing (GHW). Background We have an existing program in effective altruism community growth. Like our new… Read More
Topics:
Effective Altruism,
Global Health & Development
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02/11/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
In this post, “we” refers to Good Ventures and Open Philanthropy, who work as partners. Open Philanthropy is running a $150 million Regranting Challenge, aiming to add funding to the grantmaking budgets of one to five outstanding programs at other foundations. We believe there are some excellent individual programs and whole foundations out… Read More
Topics:
Economic Empowerment,
Global Health & Development
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01/03/2022
Blog: Give & Learn
We are launching South Asian Air Quality and Global Aid Advocacy as our first two new causes in more than five years. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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11/22/2021
Blog: Give & Learn
Alexander Berger outlines our 2021 allocation to GiveWell top charities and explains why we're giving more going forward. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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11/16/2021
Blog: Give & Learn
Zachary Robinson and Alexander Berger announce that our Criminal Justice Reform program is now an independent organization: Just Impact. Read More
Topics:
Criminal Justice Reform
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06/30/2021
Blog: Give & Learn
We’re excited to announce that Open Philanthropy co-founder Alexander Berger has been promoted to co-CEO! Read More
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06/03/2021
Blog: Give & Learn
We're excited to introduce the new members of the Open Philanthropy team. Read More
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04/29/2021
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky compares Open Philanthropy's progress with the goals it set forth a year ago, and lays out plans for the coming year. Read More
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12/17/2020
Blog: Give & Learn
GiveWell recommended $100 million in grants to its top and standout charities this year. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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05/08/2020
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky compares Open Philanthropy's progress with the goals it set forth a year ago, and lays out plans for the coming year. Read More
Topics:
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05/08/2020
Blog: Give & Learn
We're excited to introduce the new members of the Open Philanthropy team. Read More
Topics:
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12/11/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
GiveWell recommended $54.6 million in grants to its top and standout charities this year. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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08/20/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy Farm Animal Welfare Program Officer Lewis Bollard discusses whether companies will follow through on their cage-free pledges. Read More
Topics:
Farm Animal Welfare
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08/06/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy Communications Director Michael Levine discusses the questions our program officers ask themselves before making our grant. Read More
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07/10/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy Managing Director Alexander Berger discusses how the organization is thinking about near-term, human-centered giving opportunities now. Read More
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06/10/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy Science Program Officers Chris Somerville and Heather Youngs discuss Sherlock Biosciences in the context of preventing pandemics. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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04/15/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky compares Open Philanthropy's progress with the goals it set forth a year ago, and lays out plans for the coming year. Read More
Topics:
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04/10/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
We're excited to introduce the new members of the Open Philanthropy team. Read More
Topics:
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04/08/2019
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky reflects on how the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs may have played a role in reducing the risk of nuclear war. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy,
Global Catastrophic Risks
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12/21/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy Project staff give personal recommendations for individual donations. Read More
Topics:
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12/12/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
GiveWell recommended $64 million in grants to its top and standout charities this year. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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09/20/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
This new case study from our History of Philanthropy project focuses on the role of philanthropy in the campaign to secure marriage equality in the U.S. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy
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04/11/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
Note: We're experimenting with writing shorter, more accessible versions of key Open Philanthropy blog posts for the Good Ventures blog. For a more detailed version of this essay, see the original. In this post, "we" refers to Good Ventures and the Open Philanthropy Project, who work as partners. Good… Read More
Topics:
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03/30/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
Michael Levine discusses some challenges surrounding the funder-grantee relationship. Read More
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03/20/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
A review of the Open Philanthropy Project's progress in 2017 and its plans for 2018. Read More
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03/09/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
Morgan Davis gives an update on the Open Philanthropy Project's thinking behind its grant evaluations. Read More
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02/02/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
This new case study from our History of Philanthropy project focuses on the role of CBPP in state-level Earned Income Tax Credit programs. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy
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01/18/2018
Blog: Give & Learn
Lewis Bollard discusses fish welfare as a branch of farm animal welfare. Read More
Topics:
Farm Animal Welfare
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12/31/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy Project staff give personal recommendations for individual donations. Read More
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12/21/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Heather Youngs discusses our search for projects within scientific research through a request for proposals to NIH transformative research applicants. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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12/05/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Nick Beckstead gives an update on Open Philanthropy's work investigating biological research, an area it believes is underfunded. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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10/02/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Part one of David Roodman's summary of his review of the evidence on the impacts of incarceration on crime for the Open Philanthropy Project. Read More
Topics:
Criminal Justice Reform
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09/22/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Ajeya Cotra re-examines the evidence on hen welfare in different housing systems. Read More
Topics:
Farm Animal Welfare
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09/13/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
The Open Philanthropy Project and Good Ventures support the most promising work according to different perspectives. Read More
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08/01/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
The Open Philanthropy Project and Good Ventures try to maximize our impact by taking risks and learning from failure. Read More
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07/03/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky discusses project-based, people-based, and process-based approaches to delegating the task of finding giving opportunities. Read More
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04/12/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Lewis Bollard reflects on the success of US corporate cage-free campaigns. Read More
Topics:
Farm Animal Welfare
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03/15/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
A review of the Open Philanthropy Project's progress in 2016 and its plans for 2017. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research,
Global Catastrophic Risks,
Global Health & Development
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02/17/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky discusses the Open Philanthropy Project's views on empathy and moral concern. Read More
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02/09/2017
Blog: Give & Learn
The Open Philanthropy Project responds to requests for giving recommendations in the wake of recent executive orders. Read More
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06/27/2016
Blog: Give & Learn
This new case study from our History of Philanthropy project focuses on the founding and growth of the Center for Global Development. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy,
Global Health & Development
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05/05/2016
Blog: Give & Learn
A review of the Open Philanthropy Project's progress in 2015 and its plans for 2016. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research,
Global Catastrophic Risks,
Global Health & Development
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04/08/2016
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky outlines the Open Philanthropy Project's giving strategy: hits-based giving. Read More
Topics:
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04/07/2016
Blog: Give & Learn
Lewis Bollard discusses the reasoning behind the Open Philanthropy Project's recent support of corporate cage-free campaigns. Read More
Topics:
Farm Animal Welfare
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02/11/2016
Blog: Give & Learn
The Open Philanthropy Project has recommended a grant of $1.75 million to launch the Alliance for Safety and Justice. Read More
Topics:
Criminal Justice Reform
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12/29/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Open Philanthropy Project staff recommendations for individual donors interested in giving to organizations in Open Philanthropy focus areas. Read More
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12/01/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
We are excited to announce our grants to GiveWell’s “top charities” for the 2015 giving season. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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12/01/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky lays out our working framework for deciding how much Good Ventures should give to GiveWell top charities this year. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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11/20/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Should the Open Philanthropy Project be recommending more/larger grants at this stage? Holden Karnofsky lays out the case for and against. Read More
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10/27/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
David Roodman examines a new study on the Mariel boatlift and concludes that it doesn't give cause to change our view of the benefits of immigration. Read More
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10/01/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Some thinking on the question of "differential technological development": is it desirable to accelerate progress on certain technologies over others? Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research,
Global Catastrophic Risks
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09/17/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
An update on the progress we've made over the last six months at the Open Philanthropy Project. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research,
Global Catastrophic Risks
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09/16/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
We're excited to announce that Lewis Bollard plans to join us as a Program Officer, working on the treatment of animals in industrial agriculture. Read More
Topics:
Farm Animal Welfare
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09/07/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
On the process of and reasoning behind hiring our Program Officer for criminal justice reform, Chloe Cockburn. Read More
Topics:
Criminal Justice Reform
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09/03/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
We recently published a case study on the impact of philanthropy on the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy
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08/25/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
What if a big geomagnetic storm does hit? Part 4 in David Roodman's series. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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08/17/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Nick Beckstead discusses our work on global catastrophic risks, & how we think about what size of risks are most worth worrying about. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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08/04/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
David Roodman investigates whether increasing alcohol tax rates would save lives. Read More
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08/03/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Our investment is meant to accelerate GiveDirectly’s growth and build its capacity to partner with major international aid agencies. Read More
Topics:
Economic Empowerment,
Global Health & Development
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07/24/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Part 3 in our series on fundamental questions for philanthropists: things to keep in mind when making and evaluating grants. Read More
Topics:
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07/14/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
David Roodman uses extreme value theory to estimate the risk of an outsized geomagnetic storm: part 3 of a series. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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07/10/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
How to hire program staff and choose focus areas? Part 2 in our series on fundamental questions for philanthropists. Read More
Topics:
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07/08/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
What does the history of geomagnetic storms tell us about the risk? Part 2 of David Roodman's series. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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07/08/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
What's the right role for a grantmaker, beyond providing funding? The first post in a series on fundamental, under-discussed questions about philanthropy. Read More
Topics:
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06/30/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Are geomagnetic storms a global catastrophic risk? Part 1 of David Roodman's investigation. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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06/16/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Chloe Cockburn is joining the Open Philanthropy Project as a Program Officer, leading our work on criminal justice reform. Read More
Topics:
Criminal Justice Reform
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05/22/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
The second case study from our history of philanthropy project focuses on the Pew Charitable Trusts' drug safety legislation program. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy
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05/21/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Unlike for-profit companies, it seems that many major nonprofits are initiated by funders. We give some examples and possible explanations. Read More
Topics:
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05/11/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky outlines the steps we're taking to determine our priorities in science philanthropy. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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04/28/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
We outline a vision for a think tank devoted to addressing systemic issues in the world of biomedical sciences. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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04/24/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Kaitlyn Trigger and Mike Krieger discuss why they're partnering with the Open Philanthropy Project. Read More
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04/24/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Kaitlyn and Mike will be learning with us and supporting the work of the Open Philanthropy Project over the next two years. Read More
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04/23/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
A compilation of our biggest lessons to date, for people who want to quickly absorb what we've learned. Read More
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04/21/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky discusses the difficulty of securing support for "breakthrough fundamental science" in the current life sciences ecosystem. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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04/17/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Is there a "valley of death" between academic biomedical research and clinical application? Holden Karnofsky discusses what we've learned about this topic. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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04/01/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky discusses the process and challenges of investigating neglected goals in scientific research. Read More
Topics:
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03/17/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky provides an update on Open Philanthropy Project's progress in 2014 and plans for 2015. Read More
Topics:
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03/13/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky provides an update on Open Philanthropy Project's progress and plans for work on global catastrophic risks. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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03/12/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky provides an update on Open Philanthropy Project's progress and plans for work on U.S. policy causes. Read More
Topics:
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03/10/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky provides a basic guide to understanding biomedical research and examines common misperceptions regarding scientific research. Read More
Topics:
Scientific Research
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03/02/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky examines the track record of the Sandler Foundation and whether or not its success is a product of an atypical approach to philanthropy. Read More
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02/20/2015
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky writes about the November convening on possible Open Philanthropy Project U.S. policy priorities. Read More
Topics:
Criminal Justice Reform,
Macroeconomic Policy
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12/01/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Cari Tuna explains the reasoning behind our grants to GiveWell's recommended charities for the 2014 giving season. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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10/31/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky gives an update on our work to choose focus areas for the Open Philanthropy Project. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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10/16/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky considers the benefits of developing deep expertise in a few causes compared with getting involved in many causes. Read More
Topics:
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09/11/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Holden Karnofsky reflects on the biggest challenges of being public and open about giving decisions. Read More
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09/03/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
We commissioned David Roodman to examine how increasing immigration to the U.S. would impact wages for current U.S. residents. Read More
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08/20/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Cari Tuna writes about the Open Philanthropy Project, a new name to describe the collaboration between Good Ventures and GiveWell. Read More
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07/24/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Good Ventures has awarded $3 million to The Pew Charitable Trusts as part of our work on criminal justice reform. Read More
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07/04/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Alexander Berger writes about the areas we currently see as most promising with the goal of reducing global catastrophic risks. Read More
Topics:
Global Catastrophic Risks
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06/06/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Holden Karnofsky about the specific causes we're considering as possible focus areas in U.S. policy advocacy. Read More
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06/05/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Holden Karnofsky about how we've investigated the space of policy-oriented philanthropy. Read More
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05/29/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna and Natalie Crispin about their recent trip to Myanmar and thoughts on the value of site visits. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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05/21/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Holden Karnofsky about how committing to causes will help us learn. Read More
Topics:
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05/21/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Elie Hassenfeld about our research into opportunities to support malaria control and elimination. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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05/12/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Holden Karnofsky about our research into the cause of criminal justice reform. Read More
Topics:
Criminal Justice Reform
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04/03/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
The first case study from our history of philanthropy project focuses on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Health Care for the Homeless program. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy
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03/06/2014
Blog: Give & Learn
Read about the progress we've made toward identifying focus areas and our plans for 2014. Read More
Topics:
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12/03/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
Good Ventures announces its plans for the 2013 giving season, including $5 million in matching funds for GiveDirectly. Read More
Topics:
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09/20/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
Effective altruism isn't about having the "right" answers. It’s about continuous learning and being open to any cause or approach to doing good. Read More
Topics:
Effective Altruism
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07/03/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
Good Ventures shares a report it commissioned on the drug policy reform landscape. Read More
Topics:
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06/04/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about Good Ventures' grant to the Center for Global Development to learn about the history of philanthropy. Read More
Topics:
History of Philanthropy,
Global Health & Development
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04/19/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
An update on Good Ventures' grant to Population Services International Myanmar. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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04/01/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
Cari Tuna writes about Good Ventures' search for opportunities to fund the delivery of immunizations and micronutrient supplements. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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03/12/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about key questions that shape every donor's giving decisions. Read More
Topics:
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02/01/2013
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about Good Ventures' learning grants in policy advocacy in support of drug policy reform and marriage equality. Read More
Topics:
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12/28/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna announcing Good Ventures’ $2 million in year-end grants to GiveWell’s top charities, including the Against Malaria Foundation. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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09/27/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about Good Ventures’ grant to the US Cochrane Center, which publishes systematic reviews of medical research. Read More
Topics:
Meta-Research
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09/11/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about the project Good Ventures is co-funding with the Gates Foundation to slow the spread of drug-resistant malaria in Myanmar. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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08/23/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about Good Ventures’ first co-funding effort, an anti-malaria initiative with the Gates Foundation. Read More
Topics:
Global Health & Development
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08/06/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about Good Ventures’ grants to “standout” charities identified by GiveWell in 2011. Read More
Topics:
Education,
Global Health & Development
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08/02/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about increasing transparency in philanthropy by publishing notes from Good Ventures’ key conversations. Read More
Topics:
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06/28/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about Good Ventures’ decision to team up with GiveWell, a nonprofit researching philanthropic opportunities, on similar goals. Read More
Topics:
Effective Altruism
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06/25/2012
Blog: Give & Learn
A blog post by Cari Tuna about Good Ventures' vision, mission and initial approach to grantmaking. Read More
Topics: