“Marginally More Effective Altruism” by AppliedDivinityStudies

There's a huge amount of energy spent on how to get the most QALYs/$. And a good amount of energy spent on how to increase total $. And you might think that across those efforts, we are succeeding in maximizing total QALYs.

I think a third avenue is under investigated: marginally improving the effectiveness of ineffective capital. That's to say, improving outcomes, only somewhat, for the pool of money that is not at all EA-aligned.

This cash is not being spent optimally, and likely never will be. But the sheer volume could make up for the lack of efficacy.

Say you have the option to work for the foundation of one of two donors:

• Donor A only has an annual giving budget of $100,000, but will do with that money whatever you suggest. If you say “bed nets” he says “how many”.
• Donor B has a much larger [...]

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Outline:

(01:34) Most money is not EA money

(04:32) How much money is there?

(05:49) Effective Everything?

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First published:
September 8th, 2025

Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/o5LBbv9bfNjKxFeHm/marginally-more-effective-altruism

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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