Open Philanthropy

High-Level Overview

Open Philanthropy—now known as Coefficient Giving—is a leading philanthropic funder and advisor dedicated to maximizing the impact of charitable giving through rigorous research and strategic grantmaking. Its mission is to help others as much as possible with the resources available, focusing on causes that are large, tractable, and neglected. The organization operates across two broad categories: Global Health and Wellbeing, and Global Catastrophic Risks, including pandemic preparedness, scientific research, farm animal welfare, and emerging risks from advanced AI. Unlike traditional foundations, Open Philanthropy partners with major donors—most notably Good Ventures (founded by Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz)—to serve as outsourced foundation staff, providing research, strategic guidance, and operational support. Its approach has influenced the broader philanthropy ecosystem by setting new standards for transparency, evidence-based giving, and collaborative funding.

Origin Story

Open Philanthropy began in 2011 as a partnership between GiveWell, a charity evaluator founded by Holden Karnofsky and Elie Hassenfeld, and Good Ventures, a foundation established by Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz. The collaboration was driven by a shared commitment to effective altruism—the idea that philanthropy should be guided by evidence and reason to maximize positive impact. Initially called the Open Philanthropy Project, the organization evolved from GiveWell Labs and became a distinct entity in 2014. In 2017, it formally separated from GiveWell to operate independently, and in 2025, it rebranded as Coefficient Giving to reflect its expansion into multi-donor funds and broader philanthropic advising. Throughout its evolution, Open Philanthropy has maintained close ties with GiveWell and continued to be primarily funded by Tuna and Moskovitz, while increasingly collaborating with other philanthropists.

Core Differentiators

• Evidence-Based Approach: Open Philanthropy uses rigorous research and cost-effectiveness analysis to identify high-impact giving opportunities.
• Strategic Cause Selection: Focuses on problems that are large in scale, tractable, and neglected—such as global health, scientific breakthroughs, and catastrophic risks.
• Multi-Donor Collaboration: Serves as outsourced foundation staff for major donors and has launched collaborative funds (e.g., Lead Exposure Action Fund, Abundance and Growth Fund) to pool resources and expertise.
• Transparency and Openness: Publishes detailed grant rationales, research findings, and impact assessments, setting a new standard for accountability in philanthropy.
• Long-Term Vision: Makes multi-year operating grants to strengthen organizations and leaders, rather than funding only specific programs.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Open Philanthropy is riding the trend of data-driven, impact-focused philanthropy, which is increasingly shaping how both private and public sectors approach social challenges. The timing is critical: as global risks like pandemics, climate change, and AI grow more complex, there is a rising demand for philanthropic capital that can act quickly and strategically. Open Philanthropy’s model—combining deep research with operational flexibility—positions it as a key player in funding breakthroughs in science, technology, and social policy. Its influence extends beyond direct grants; by advising other donors and publishing its methodologies, it helps elevate the entire philanthropy ecosystem. The organization’s work in areas like AI safety and pandemic preparedness also intersects with the tech industry, where its funding and research can accelerate innovation with broad societal benefits.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Open Philanthropy—now Coefficient Giving—is poised to play an even larger role as philanthropy becomes more collaborative, transparent, and tech-enabled. The shift to multi-donor funds signals a move toward democratizing high-impact giving, allowing more philanthropists to participate in solving the world’s most pressing problems. Trends like the rise of effective altruism, increased scrutiny of charitable impact, and the growing importance of global catastrophic risks will continue to shape its journey. As Coefficient Giving expands its network and refines its strategies, its influence on both the philanthropy and tech landscapes is likely to grow, setting new benchmarks for how capital can be deployed to create lasting, scalable change. Just as it began with the question, “How can we accomplish as much good as possible?” its future will be defined by answering that question for an ever-wider circle of donors and causes.