The following is a statement from the GiveWell Board of Directors. Audio and materials from the meeting are located here. Additional materials related to this statement will be posted soon. ————- The board has amended its original statement as of January 11, 2008 at 830pm est. Please note the addition of paragraph 5. ———————– The…
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I had a lapse in judgment, did a horrible thing, and I apologize
I did what is apparently known as “astroturfing,” using a fake ID to try to get attention for GiveWell. Why did I do this? 1. I had a horrible lapse in judgment. 2. I have been low on sleep, and running around like a madman. I’d like to think that had something to do with…
Transparency, measurement, humility
Transparency is the one thing about GiveWell that everyone seems to like. Our focus on measurement is much more contested. I believe that the connection is tight, though, because both are necessary consequences of humility, which is probably the last word you ever thought I’d ask to be associated with. Transparency is a really big…
Tough calls
Audio for last Monday’s board meeting is on the way; in the meantime, here’s a summary. The meeting ran about five hours and had heated arguments, tension, drama, a couple car chases, and down-to-the-wire votes. The highlight was the Elie and I ended up reversing our position on 2 of the 3 causes we voted…
When apples are better than oranges
6 months ago, GiveWell pledged to give a $25,000 grant to the best organization we found in each of our five causes, and we’re going to follow through. But, I wish we didn’t have to. We recognized that donors are more likely to trust us for some decisions (comparing organizations with similar goals) than for…
True Experts? Or old boys’ club?
I want to take the time to explain a couple views I hold that offend some people. These views are: The label “philanthropy expert” means very little to me. I see no strong reason to believe that charitable foundations are generally capable, competent, or effective at anything at all. These aren’t insults aimed at particular…