The hottest Philanthropy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Giving Up on the ‘Giving Pledge’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 194 implied HN points • 23 Mar 26
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. Many billionaires are backing away from the Giving Pledge, and new sign-ups have slowed dramatically.
  2. People point to several causes: a shift toward political donations, reinvesting wealth in businesses, and growing criticism that the pledge was performative or associated with problematic figures.
  3. Abandoning the pledge can be seen as positive because it often prioritized image and affectation over substantive, accountable charitable impact.

How Jeffrey Epstein Became a Public Intellectual

The Honest Broker • 22008 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Money can buy the appearance of being a public intellectual — rich people can purchase offices, fellowships, media access, and influence even without the usual qualifications.
  2. Universities, journals, and media can be swayed by donations, PR teams, and personal connections, which lets wealthy benefactors gain undeserved credibility and platforms.
  3. Real public intellectuals earn trust through work and ideas, not pay-for-play, and institutions should support those who speak truth to power rather than selling prestige to the highest bidder.

Economics Links, 3/11/2026

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. The population is aging rapidly, creating huge demand for long-term care, soaring costs, and a shortage of direct-care workers that will make care unaffordable for many people.
  2. Median earnings for young men have risen substantially from 1989 to 2024, challenging the idea that younger men are broadly worse off in terms of wages.
  3. There’s a debate over funding and incentives: bundling subscriptions could help consumers but may undercut top creators and change incentives, while large-scale philanthropy can lack market discipline compared with investing in businesses or supporting local charities.

Pledge Drive

Astral Codex Ten • 18032 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Philanthropy
  1. Make a specific, binding pledge to give a fixed percent of your income; that turns vague good intentions into steady, automatic donations and removes the guilt and indecision of one-off appeals.
  2. Money is often the most effective way for most people to change the world, and giving a committed share of your income to highly effective charities can save many lives or have outsized impact compared with small personal sacrifices or online activism.
  3. If you’re unsure, start small with a trial percentage and register the pledge publicly; committing externally helps you stick to your plan and lets you ignore most fundraiser asks.

Open Thread 413

Astral Codex Ten • 3372 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Lightcone Infrastructure runs a lot of the community’s technical and meetup infrastructure (like LessWrong and Lighthaven), they’ve built websites for several AI/community projects, and they’re currently fundraising so you can donate or contact them about larger gifts.
  2. A bio policy group is looking for volunteers to help vaccine expert Stanley Plotkin estimate the medical consequences if the U.S. adopted Denmark’s childhood vaccine schedule; the task would take about 4–10 hours and volunteers can apply via a form.
  3. MIRI is offering an 8‑week technical governance research fellowship in early 2026 that pays $1,200/week, begins with a one‑week intro in Berkeley (travel and lodging provided) and continues remotely, though they don’t sponsor visas.
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Darius Rucker

Steady • 22799 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎶 Music Philanthropy
  1. Darius Rucker is a successful country music artist with a big heart for philanthropy.
  2. He has supported causes like childhood cancer treatment and Musicians on Call.
  3. Rucker's journey in country music breaks stereotypes and highlights progress in the genre.

‘This Is the Proverbial Rainy Day.’

Breaking the News • 2206 implied HN points • 20 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Big philanthropic foundations are quietly mobilizing emergency funds and using their wealth to defend democratic institutions and science. They are urging immediate, coordinated action rather than waiting for a calmer moment.
  2. Current political developments include extreme rhetoric, undeclared military moves, and attacks on scientific and cultural institutions, creating a real risk to norms and concentrated decision-making power. These actions have made the situation urgent and fragile.
  3. There is a clear call for everyone—individuals and institutions—to act where they can now, asking whether they are fully doing what’s theirs to do to preserve democratic values. Collective, timely action and solidarity are presented as necessary to restore and protect the republic.

The Woz Plan

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar • 4 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Philanthropy
  1. Wozniak gave about 80 early employees 2,000 of his own Apple shares each at $5 a share, which helped many of them become millionaires and buy homes or pay for college.
  2. He knowingly gave up what would have been an enormous personal fortune to prioritize fairness and support for his team instead of maximizing his own wealth.
  3. Woz’s generosity stands in sharp contrast to how many modern tech billionaires hoard equity, and his approach is a leadership model worth celebrating and emulating.

Apply For An ACX Grant (2025)

Astral Codex Ten • 6469 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. ACX Grants is a program that gives small amounts of money to support charitable or scientific projects. This year, they aim to distribute around $1 million in grants.
  2. Applicants can expect grants to range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a few potentially hitting $100,000. The application process is quick, taking about 15 to 30 minutes.
  3. Grantees will not only receive financial support but also potential networking opportunities and help from the program's leaders to promote their projects.

Variously Effective Altruism

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2016 implied HN points • 10 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Philanthropy
  1. When giving money to charities, it's important to consider how your donations might be used. Your funds could end up supporting causes you don't believe in, so think carefully about where your money goes.
  2. Giving to help others can sometimes make you seem unkind if you focus only on the impact rather than on people's feelings. It's good to be aware of how your approach to helping is perceived by others.
  3. When looking for donations, some big projects need a lot of money, even if it seems like too much at first. If you have a solid plan, it might be better to ask for a bigger amount because wealthy donors often want to invest significantly in exciting ideas.

Open Thread 409

Astral Codex Ten • 1720 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. There's a new blog post about the war in Gaza, which might become relevant again in the future. It took some time to gather thoughts for it.
  2. The ClusterFree initiative is working to research treatments for cluster headaches using psychedelics. They aim to help get these treatments recognized for medical use.
  3. Coefficient Giving wants to give out about $10 million for projects that use AI for forecasting or reasoning. If you have a related idea, check their website to apply for funding.

Michael Dell: Why I’m Giving $6 Billion to America’s Kids

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 945 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
💰 Finance Philanthropy
  1. Early hands-on experiences with saving, investing, and small businesses taught the power of compound interest and shaped the belief that opportunity is something you build.
  2. A $6.25 billion commitment will support a plan to have $1,000 deposited into an investment account for every child born in the United States, starting next year.
  3. Those tax-advantaged accounts can grow over time with family or public contributions and can be used at 18 for education, job training, a first home, or other long-term financial goals to give every child a stake.

The Big Nonprofits Post 2025

Don't Worry About the Vase • 940 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. There are many great organizations out there that are doing important work and worthy of donations. You can choose to support causes that really resonate with your values.
  2. When considering donations, think not only about the organizations' needs but how your contribution aligns with your personal beliefs and the impact you want to make.
  3. If you're unsure about direct donations, consider regranting organizations that can distribute funds to various causes, as they often have a wider reach and can help more projects.

💰🧪 Funding outside the box: A Quick Q&A with … philanthropy expert Stuart Buck

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🔬 Science Philanthropy
  1. Government research funders are risk-averse because they must show accountability to taxpayers and avoid political backlash, so many high-risk, curiosity-driven projects that can produce big breakthroughs go unfunded.
  2. Wealthy philanthropists can back unconventional, high-risk research because they aren’t tied to voter accountability, but most still give to safe, prestigious institutions unless they’re actively incentivized or advised to take bolder bets.
  3. Growing institutional diversity and nudging more creative philanthropy would raise the chances of major discoveries, but private donations alone can’t fully replace large-scale federal R&D funding cuts.

Bari’s Picks Of The Week: High Art, Tough Love, Good News

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 394 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. A new tough-love advice column is launching that promises blunt, practical guidance and is being pitched as a must-read for people seeking direct counsel.
  2. Internal discussions among gender-care professionals show many feel they are "winging it" with treatments for minors, which raises serious concerns about standards and oversight for vulnerable young patients.
  3. Michael Dell is donating $6.25 billion to boost Invest America starter accounts for children, aiming to give every kid a financial head start and improve long-term opportunities through early savings and literacy.

The Trump Voter Taking On ICE. Michael Dell on His $6B Gift to America’s Kids. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 338 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
📰 News Philanthropy
  1. A Trump-voting Chicago mom has been helping Venezuelan migrant families with asylum, housing, work, and schooling and is now resisting ICE raids and deportations. Her work shows people can be patriotic yet oppose harsh immigration enforcement.
  2. Michael Dell and his wife are creating $250 savings accounts for 25 million American children, a roughly $6 billion effort meant to give kids a financial head start. The gift complements a federal newborn savings initiative and has economists debating possible unintended consequences.
  3. A 'peace through profit' approach to Ukraine — courting business with Russia to secure a deal — is being pushed by dealmakers but criticized because it’s hard to trust deals with an authoritarian, mafia-like state. Critics warn profit-driven diplomacy may not yield a durable or ethical peace.

Make The World A Little Bit Better Today

Singal-Minded • 269 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. You can make a positive impact today by helping people in need, often by donating money. It’s simple and can make a real difference in someone's life.
  2. GiveDirectly is an organization that helps reduce poverty by giving cash directly to those who need it most. This helps improve their living conditions and supports local economies.
  3. If you donate $50 or more, there's a chance to win fun prizes like signed books or subscriptions. It's a great way to motivate people to help others!

Open Thread 368

Astral Codex Ten • 2959 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Philanthropy
  1. A biotech company called MiniCircle had mixed research results on a new technology. While there are some positive findings, the effects are much weaker than needed, and more careful testing is required.
  2. Open Philanthropy plans to give out $40 million for AI safety research. They're looking for new ideas in areas like control and generalization, and people can apply for funding.
  3. Students at the University of Chicago have started a rationalist reading and meetup group. They invite anyone interested to join and connect with others who share similar interests.

How the 'Epstein Class' Fails to the Top | The Chris Hedges Report (w/ Anand Giridharadas)

The Chris Hedges Report • 172 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. A powerful elite has recast itself as the solution to social problems, using philanthropy, tech and conferences to claim moral authority while protecting the existing system and their own power.
  2. The rise of consulting and finance mindsets treats efficiency as everything, stripping human connection and hollowing out public institutions so people suffer while profits rise.
  3. A tight global network of elites trades access and inside information and routinely looks away from harm, prioritizing its permanence and members over accountability or the common good.

The Central Valley’s ‘Wonderful Schools’: An Our Towns Report.

Breaking the News • 897 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🚌 Education Philanthropy
  1. The Wonderful Company is helping improve education in California's Central Valley by supporting local charter schools. These schools focus on fitting their curriculums to the needs and culture of their communities.
  2. Programs at these schools aim to prepare students for college early and make higher education feel accessible. Students even take college-level classes while still in high school.
  3. The schools also emphasize health and community support, offering services like free meals and medical clinics. This approach aims to tackle local issues like obesity and access to healthcare.

Obsessed with virtue signalling

antoniomelonio • 106 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. People substitute gestures for real change, performing moral purity with slogans and selfies instead of building long-term power or policy.
  2. Protests, charity, and public outrage are often curated performances—consumable, brand-safe acts that release guilt but avoid risk, organization, or structural disruption.
  3. The result is political sterility: righteous signaling and binary demonizing destroy leverage, neutralize dissent, and prevent meaningful reforms.

Be Nice....Or Else!!!!

Mental Hellth • 1395 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Compulsory niceness can stifle criticism and meaningful discussion.
  2. Being kind is important, but it's also essential to question and critique when needed.
  3. Philanthropy and charitable acts can sometimes mask systemic issues and lack public accountability.

Stock Investing for Babies

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 134 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Michael and Susan Dell are donating $250 savings accounts for up to 25 million children to create starter savings for kids.
  2. They limit eligibility to zip codes with median incomes under $150,000 to avoid the wealthiest areas, but that threshold still covers most of the country and is well above the national median income.
  3. The government savings program the donation supplements is structured so upper‑middle and middle‑class families benefit far more than working‑class or poor families, making the policy design the bigger equity problem.

Innovations in Scientific Institutions

The Good Science Project • 100 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🔬 Science Philanthropy
  1. Governments are starting to fund independent, team-level labs with large, flexible grants so scientific teams can pursue ambitious work without constant grant-writing.
  2. Public-private partnerships like the UK–DeepMind deal are building automated, high-throughput labs to speed materials discovery and tackle big practical problems.
  3. There’s a push to create new applied R&D organizations to increase institutional diversity, and these programs must set clear tolerance for failure so teams can take real risks.

The BBN Fund

FreakTakes • 37 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Philanthropy
  1. BBNs are small, engineering-first research organizations that pursue big, multidisciplinary technical goals by funding work with a mix of customer contracts and grants instead of typical VC or academic models.
  2. Pilot funding has shown there is both demand from flexible funders and supply of founders for BBNs, with early BBNs already winning substantial support and proving the model viable.
  3. The BBN Fund will seed and scale BBNs by deploying low-interest revolving loans, revenue-sharing investments, and modest undirected R&D grants, while a small Central Office will build pipelines of funders, customers, mentors, and contractors to make BBNs sustainable and investable.

The Big Nonprofits Post

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1388 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. There are many excellent charities to donate to right now, especially those focused on AI safety and existential risks. It can be hard to find good places to give money, but they are out there.
  2. When deciding where to donate, it's important to trust your own judgment and knowledge about what matters. Choose organizations that align with your values and how you believe change can be made.
  3. Consider giving unconditional support to individuals doing valuable work, as this can help them focus on their projects without the stress of constantly needing to prove their worth for funding.

The Price of the Epstein Frenzy

Critical Mass • 10 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🚌 Education Philanthropy
  1. The release of millions of Epstein-related documents has sparked a moral panic that treats mere association as guilt by association.
  2. Universities and media outlets are cutting ties and cancelling programs linked to anyone connected with Epstein, even when there’s no evidence those people knew about or took part in his crimes.
  3. Those retroactive punishments are dismantling useful educational programs and resources, hurting students and the public more than they advance justice.

Erika's quick-start guide to research nonprofits

Erika’s Newsletter • 491 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. You can start a nonprofit research organization without needing permission from a university.
  2. Research nonprofits can be designed to fit scientific goals rather than fitting into academia or industry.
  3. To start a nonprofit, write a 'two-pager', get connected with potential funders, fundraise, manage money, hire people, get lab space, and manage intellectual property.

Thoughts on the Survival and Flourishing Fund 2024 Round

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1075 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. There are many good charities to support right now, and the quality of applications has improved a lot since the last round. This makes it a great time for charitable giving.
  2. The process for evaluating charities has changed, including a new requirement for them to first receive speculation grants to be considered for funding. This has helped raise the overall quality of the applications.
  3. Time is tight when deciding which charities to fund, making it crucial to quickly assess the most promising options. It's important to focus on those organizations that show strong potential and trustworthy signals.

ACX Grants Followup Impact Market

Astral Codex Ten • 1858 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. ACX Grants involves an impact market where investors crowdfund grant proposals with potential for big profits if successful.
  2. Only 44 out of approximately 140 qualified participants have signed up for the impact market so far, with a different approach allowing non-accredited investors to participate.
  3. Investing in impact certificates through this system has risks like potential project failure, but also benefits such as tax deductibility.

Neighbor Tuesday(ish): UNGA

The Friendly Neighbors • 432 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Philanthropy
  1. Attended discussions on missing populations in Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing healthcare for marginalized groups.
  2. Contrasted experiences at UNGA - one event featuring activists and another with philanthropists, highlighting the need for diverse perspectives.
  3. Advocated for the importance of uniting diverse voices in global health initiatives for comprehensive impact.

There’s Nothing More Corrupting Than Flying Private

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 681 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Flying on a private plane can disconnect people from everyday experiences and reality. It's like stepping away from the human connection that comes with regular travel.
  2. Owning or using a private plane can change a person's behavior and priorities, leading to a loss of moral grounding.
  3. The associations and connections made through private travel, especially with controversial figures, can highlight deeper issues of influence and corruption in society.

Weird people doing good things

Samstack • 1768 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Effective Altruists do some weird things, like considering options like eliminating predators or flipping a coin with huge consequences.
  2. Effective Altruism is about using evidence to do the most good possible, even if some of the ideas seem strange or unconventional.
  3. Being weird is an integral part of doing good - the unconventional practices of Effective Altruists contribute to their impact.

Something interesting is happening in Tulsa

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 2611 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Tulsa, Oklahoma is experiencing positive transformations due to the efforts of wealthy individuals and community foundations.
  2. The Tulsa Tomorrow program aims to attract young Jewish individuals to Tulsa by offering job opportunities, social events, and resources to fulfill their dreams.
  3. Wealthy individuals in Tulsa have made significant investments to improve the city, showing visible impact in contrast to certain bureaucratic challenges faced by other cities.

Deconstructing the Hegemony; Reconstructing the Pluriverse — II

Pluriversal Planet • 216 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🚌 Education Philanthropy
  1. Participatory democracy is a myth in a world dominated by Eurocentric and profit-centered ideologies.
  2. Hegemony and regeneration are conflicting philosophies, with efforts towards a pluriversal world being hindered by hidden hegemonic tactics.
  3. Tools of hegemony include philanthropy, propaganda, and education, which perpetuate control, maintain the status quo, and limit diverse perspectives.

Can donors save science?

ChinaTalk • 207 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🚌 Education Philanthropy
  1. Renaissance Philanthropy aims to change how funding works by acting like an investment fund, helping donors target specific goals without the heavy lifting of managing projects themselves.
  2. The organization identifies key areas in science and tech where philanthropic funding can make a real impact, especially at a time when government support is shrinking.
  3. A new model of philanthropy can encourage more donors to get involved by picking clear objectives and making the process less daunting, ultimately leading to more effective giving.

You Should Know Who’s Funding Your Local Paper

Second Rough Draft • 235 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
📰 News Philanthropy
  1. Nonprofit ownership of local newspapers is beneficial but requires transparency in funding sources.
  2. Transparency in newspaper ownership funding helps maintain trust and credibility in the press.
  3. Disclosing the donors of nonprofit newspaper ownership signals independence and strengthens public confidence.