LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “Three things that surprised me about technical grantmaking at Coefficient Giving (fka Open Phil)” by null
Dec 3, 2025
In this engaging discussion, the host shares insights on the unique role of grantmakers at Coefficient Giving. It’s not just about approving grants, but actively creating and guiding proposals. The conversation highlights the potential impact of junior grantmakers in shaping funding strategies. A fascinating story illustrates transforming a small request into a substantial grant. The host also reflects on the unexpectedly rewarding nature of grantmaking, emphasizing the blend of technical engagement and personal interaction with researchers. It’s an invitation to rethink grantmaking careers!
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Grantmakers Create Opportunities
- Grantmakers at CoefficientGiving actively elicit high-impact proposals rather than just selecting marginal ones.
- Junior grantmakers can shape strategy and move significant funding toward top-impact projects.
Small Ask Sparked A Million-Dollar Startup
- A $10,000 compute ask grew into a $1M grant and the founding of Theorem after Jake pushed for bigger plans.
- That grant seeded a YC-accepted startup focused on formal software verification that later raised at high valuation.
Hires Have Large Counterfactual Impact
- Many strong hires are highly counterfactual and their acceptance causes large shifts in funding allocation.
- Losing one candidate often means one fewer grantmaker rather than a marginal swap of similar talent.