Coefficient Giving Rebrands from Open Philanthropy to Expand Donor Base

2 hours ago7 min read

In a strategic pivot emblematic of philanthropy’s evolving landscape, Open Philanthropy—the influential grantmaking organization long backed by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and his wife Cari Tuna—has rebranded itself as Coefficient Giving. This move signals a fundamental shift from operating primarily as the philanthropic arm of a single ultra-wealthy couple to positioning itself as a collaborative hub for multiple high-net-worth donors.Since its inception in 2014, Open Philanthropy has directed over $4 billion with a singular, analytical focus on maximizing humanitarian impact, an approach deeply rooted in the principles of effective altruism. Its track record is substantial, spanning global health initiatives estimated to have saved 100,000 lives, pioneering support for the YIMBY movement that has begun to reshape housing policy in California, and funding scientific research that later garnered a Nobel Prize.The rebrand to Coefficient is not merely cosmetic; it is an operational overhaul. The organization is now converting its internally managed programs into multi-donor funds, such as the $125 million Lead Exposure Action Fund and the $120 million Abundance and Growth Fund, inviting other philanthropists to co-invest in these rigorously vetted cause areas.CEO Alexander Berger articulates the new name’s symbolism: 'coefficient is a multiplier,' with 'co-' denoting collaboration and 'efficient' reaffirming their unwavering commitment to cost-effectiveness. This expansion comes at a critical juncture.With volatile government budgets threatening longstanding public health and development programs—exemplified by recent cuts to USAID—the role of private philanthropy in filling structural gaps has never been more pronounced. Yet, this shift also raises complex questions about governance and influence.As Coefficient aggregates capital from a broader donor base, how will it navigate potential disagreements among its new partners? Berger notes that, for now, donors are entrusting Coefficient to allocate funds within defined areas based on its expert judgment, a model that preserves its strategic agility but may evolve toward more shared governance in the future. The organization continues to balance its portfolio between near-term, high-certainty interventions, like bednet distributions, and long-term, high-risk bets on frontier risks such as AI safety.This duality reflects a hard-won lesson from its first decade: while tractability is difficult to predict, focusing on profoundly important and severely neglected problems often yields the greatest returns. As Coefficient Giving steps into its second act, it represents a fascinating test case for whether the multiplier effect of collaborative, evidence-driven philanthropy can accelerate progress on humanity's most entrenched challenges.

#Coefficient Giving

#philanthropy rebrand

#effective altruism

#multi-donor funds

#global health

#AI safety

#housing reform

#lead exposure

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