Matthew David Fargo

Main points in favor of this grant

• This project’s targets a relatively neglected area and has a compelling theory of change (that received feedback from various other experienced groups in the field during XST’s research process).
• The team seems well-placed to plan and execute this project (selected based on a systematic hiring process) and the support system to be provided by RP has a strong track record in similar projects (Condor Camp, ERA)
• Since I (Renan) will have governance responsibilities for this project, I will be able to more closely oversee and steer the project so that it is more likely to be impactful than most grantees.
• Separate from the potential direct impact, the information value from this project should be high. The x-risk space does not have other examples of founder search and pairing via formal hiring + dedicated support and this could inform future efforts at active grantmaking in the space.
• This grant seems time-sensitive, since the project is due to start in early Jan and other grantmakers are not able to turn around funding by then. RP has limited capacity to fund the entirety of this project by itself at the moment, and this grant would fill a relevant gap.

Process for deciding amount

$25K is an estimate of the funding necessary to cover a pilot event (including venue booking, logistics, contractors, etc.)

Conflicts of interest

Please disclose e.g. any romantic, professional, financial, housemate, or familial relationships you have with the grant recipient(s).

1. The project is being incubated and fiscally sponsored by Rethink Priorities, which fiscally sponsors my employer, IAPS. I will play a role in the governance of the project along with my manager (Peter Wildeford) and RP’s Special Project team.

2. The project idea came from my previous team’s (XST) research.

However, the founding team is independent, will own the IP associated with this project, and is only employed as contractors through RP’s fiscal sponsorship program. Ultimately, if successful, this project will likely spin off as an independent project. My involvement is likely only to occur during this initial pilot stage in an advisory capacity.

Additionally, despite RP receiving the funding due to the fiscal sponsorship scheme, this funding will be completely restricted to this project and Coby and Aishwarya, and can’t be used for any other purpose (i.e., can’t be used by RP for other RP-related expenses).