EA Forum Podcast (All audio)

Written in my personal capacity.

Quick summary: over the past couple of months, I've been spending my free time working with some collaborators to figure out the best ways to donate money and share our takes with prospective donors. We differ from existing orgs in that we're willing to evaluate and recommend time-sensitive opportunities, and we don't shy away from political donation opportunities. If your donation budget is over $30,000year and you're interested in our takes, please email me!

Introduction

Last month, I wrote a blog post where I analyzed the cost-effectiveness of donating to Alex Bores, an AI safety champion running for Congress in New York, and opined that for most donors, donating to Alex Bores is the most effective use of money for making the long-term future go well.

(I then hastily wrote a similar blog post about AI safety champion Scott Wiener, an AI safety champion who coincidentally announced his run for Congress just two days later.)

I was encouraged by the positive response to my posts: it turned out that many people found them helpful! But that also raised the question: why isn't anyone else doing this? In a community of people who care a [...]

---

Outline:

(00:41) Introduction

(02:16) What weve been up to

(03:13) Should you take our advice?

---

First published:

November 21st, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/qdJju3ntwNNtrtuXj/my-working-group-on-the-best-donation-opportunities

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Read the grantmaking strategy as a visualized PDF here.

Over the last year and a half, the Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) has implemented organizational improvements, such as increased staffing, communications, evaluation, and fundraising efforts, enabling us to expand the scope and sustainability of our impact. To capitalize on these changes, we are refining our 3-year grantmaking strategy to maximize our support for non-human animals. In this update, we describe the role we believe AWF can play in the animal welfare space, outline our approach to key trade-offs, and summarize our funding priorities in each of our focus areas. While we planned the strategy for the next 3 years, we expect that through this period our strategy will inevitably evolve as the landscape of opportunities changes and we learn about the impact of the work we supported; we plan to revisit our portfolio annually and publish updates if we make any significant changes.

The Problem We See

Most animal suffering occurs among groups of animals, regions, and supply chains where animal welfare has received disproportionately little attention from philanthropists, governments, businesses, and even the animal advocacy movement. In many of these areas, animals are raised and sold through independent [...]

---

Outline:

(01:12) The Problem We See

(01:51) Barriers to making progress

(03:08) Our Role in the Movement

(03:24) We believe we can further add value to the ecosystem by:

(04:41) By playing this role, we aim to provide value to:

(05:44) Our Goals

(06:00) We fund projects that:

(06:27) More specifically, key long-term objectives we are working towards include (but are not limited to):

(07:30) Key Pillars for Delivering Impact

(10:52) Areas where AWF does not expect to provide future support

(11:44) Learning, Evaluation, Adaptation

(11:49) Track success

(12:13) Review portfolio annually

(12:31) Respond to the ecosystem

(12:47) Join us in making impact for animals

(13:06) _________________________________________________________________

(13:07) Acknowledgements

---

First published:

November 20th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/4RMxQko3YrdWvnNci/ea-animal-welfare-fund-3-year-grantmaking-strategy

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

TL;DR:

We’re testing whether a scalable, digitally-supported, community-based Kangaroo Mother Care model delivered through Dimagi's Connect platform can meaningfully reduce neonatal mortality among small and vulnerable newborns. Early results from Uganda are promising and there is strong interest from local implementers in Nigeria. Marginal funding now would support additional newborns in Uganda, let us expand to Nigeria, and generate the evidence needed to assess key uncertainties to determine whether this model should be scaled widely or be deprioritized.

SUMMARY

• Problem: Neonatal mortality remains high (~2.3M deaths/year globally), and premature and low-birthweight babies account for a large share of preventable deaths. Post-discharge care is especially neglected, with Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)  coverage estimated below 5% in many countries.
• Intervention: Structured, verified home visits supporting skin-to-skin care, breastfeeding, thermal regulation, and danger-sign screening. Enrollment typically occurs at facilities, but most care happens at home.
• Platform: Dimagi's Connect digital platform  enables local implementers to deliver verified health services at scale (>1M household visits delivered this year by 40+ small local orgs in 12 countries), using a pay-for-performance model that allows rapid replication once an intervention is developed on the platform.
• Why this may scale fast: facility-based KMC requires busy hospital teams [...]

---

Outline:

(03:59) Additional Background

(04:02) Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)

(05:38) Connect

(06:46) Connect for KMC

(08:39) Highlights from Current Pilots

(09:50) What Next

---

First published:

November 20th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/e24aERPrJSuABTMkz/additional-funding-would-accelerate-learning-on-dimagi-s

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

We are the Centre for Enabling EA Learning and Research (CEEALAR) (formerly known as the ‘EA Hotel’).

TLDR

• Minimum critical need: £30k for essential roof repairs to prevent building damage.
• Full 2026 budget: £360k ($476k) to run operations, launch structured programs, and expand capacity
• What we do: Cost-effective residential incubator supporting ~20 EA researchers and entrepreneurs at a time, at half the cost of major cities. We're the only year-round space in EA where people can live, work, and be in community. We also host retreats and events for EA organizations.
• Recent wins: Thus far, 66 grantees in 2025 (+36% YoY), 106% productivity increase vs. the counterfactual, 89% say CEEALAR is more impactful than EAG.
• 2026 plans: Launch 3-month AI safety fellowship, host 2 hackathons, sign 5+ partner MOUs, build KPI infrastructure for impact measurement, extend runway and diversify funding, complete infrastructure improvements.
• Why marginal funding matters: Without funding, we reduce to skeleton operations or shut down entirely; with full funding, we professionalize and scale a proven model while finally measuring our impact rigorously.

Background: Why CEEALAR Exists and What it Does

The Gap in EA's Talent Pipeline

CEEALAR was founded in 2018 to address a gap in [...]

---

Outline:

(00:16) TLDR

(01:50) Background: Why CEEALAR Exists and What it Does

(01:56) The Gap in EAs Talent Pipeline

(03:01) CEEALAR's Model

(04:30) EAs Only Year-Round Community Infrastructure

(06:05) Our Plans for 2026

(10:23) What Does the Community Want? Help Us Decide

(11:22) Our Current Funding Gap and Our Ask for Marginal Funding Week

(12:20) How to Donate

---

First published:

November 20th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/SAkR4zbBAi4R5RdwQ/ceealar-needs-a-new-roof

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

TL;DR

• Talos Network trains and places the next generation of European AI governance talent.
• We have a strong track record: Between 2022 and 2025, 70% (58 / 83) of Talos Alumni successfully transitioned to roles directly contributing to advanced AI policy and safety.
• Our fellows shape policy: Our fellows now work across the EU AI Office, UK AISI, OECD, think tanks like RAND Europe and CEPS, and national parliaments.
• AI policy organisations value our work: In a 2025 survey of AI safety organisation hiring needs by 80,000 Hours, Talos was highlighted as a top source of new AI policy talent, ranking ahead of several long-established organisations.
• The Funding Gap: We are seeking €200,000 in marginal funding to diversify our funder base. This will help us to unlock placements in government and other organisations that our existing funders cannot support due to institutional constraints.
• The Unit Cost: Every €20,000 supports one 6-month placement in a European institution shaping the future of AI. These include Ada Lovelace Institute, Center for Democracy and Technology, Centre for European Policy Studies, Centre for Future Generations, European Policy Centre, Future of Life Institute, The Future Society, Interface, OECD.AI, Open Markets Institute, Pour Demain, SaferAI and Simon Institute among [...]

---

Outline:

(00:14) TL;DR

(01:59) What Talos Does

(04:24) Our Track Record

(05:19) Why We're Fundraising (The Counterfactual)

(06:25) Why Europe Matters Now

(07:13) 2026. Funding Picture & The Ask

(07:44) What your donation supports:

(08:23) Key Uncertainties

(09:25) Get Involved

---

First published:

November 20th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/CsBGdHTLmxQnbaSap/support-talos-ai-policy-placements-the-talent-pipeline-for

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Also posted on the Hive blog.

TL;DR

The Problem: The farmed animal advocacy movement is up against a trillion-dollar industry. To be effective, we need to be coordinated and strategic, but our potential is often lost due to a lack of shared infrastructure.

• Our Solution: Hive provides this infrastructure. We are a global, impact-focused "digital home" for over 4,500 farmed animal advocates across 100+ countries, serving as a movement multiplier through our active Slack community, widely-read newsletter, and strategic connections.
• Our Track Record: In 2024, we facilitated over 70 "High Impact Outcomes" (HIOs)—including job placements, new projects, and funding connections. In 2025, we have so far facilitated 77 HIOs. Our Slack community is the most active community in the broader Effective Altruism ecosystem, and our movement updates newsletter reaches over 4,500 subscribers.
• Our 2026 Plans: We will deepen our support for advocates in neglected regions (particularly Asia, Latin America, and Africa) through our Global Ambassador Program, focus on the depth of engagement in our community, and plan to pivot to recenter our most scalable program, the newsletter. 
• Our Funding Gap: Our 2026 budget is $463,000. We have a remaining funding gap of $200,000. For our End-of-year campaign, we [...]

---

Outline:

(00:17) TL;DR

(02:09) The Challenge: A Fragmented Movement Against a Goliath

(02:56) Our Solution: Building the Movements Digital Home

(04:42) Our Track Record

(05:31) In numbers:

(07:25) In stories:

(09:29) Our Plans for 2026: Deepening Global Engagement

(10:57) Our Funding Situation & What Your Donation Will Achieve

(11:34) Level 1: Crucial Momentum ($247,000 - raised)

(12:39) Level 2: Momentum ($334,000 - where your donation will likely be)

(13:59) Level 3: Cost-Effective Growth and Safety ($414,000)

(15:01) Level 4: Building for Sustainability & Exploration ($463,000)

(15:52) Risks and Uncertainties

(17:23) How You Can Help

(19:46) Want to Dive Deeper?

---

First published:

November 20th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/6vbKFckXmFjStw3bX/hive-s-2025-in-review-and-2026-plans-and-funding-needs

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

I'm Co-Chair of EA Bath, and therefore manage the WhatsApp community for it. A common problem people have in university society group chats is that scammers and bots often join, so to prevent this, every time someone requests to join the group chats, I message them and ask if they are a real student.
If they are a real student, I then ask them how they heard about EA, and usually follow up with something like

'Oh, that's really cool! Would you be okay to meet so I can explain what EA is about and what EA Bath offers? Or alternatively chat on text / have a call?'

In our 1-1, I summarise my intro talk as a summary of what EA is, and then explain our fellowship that we are running at the university, and finish up by showing some EA resources (e.g. EA Forum, 80K Problem Profiles). This then usually results in them attending at least one session – with a few attending more.

I think this is really effective for reducing friction when asking for 1-1s, as it makes it seem a lot more casual and gives a purpose to the conversation, and although [...]

---

First published:

November 18th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/xwcif9eoPwJk2CTvh/having-strict-rules-on-ea-groups-whatsapps-helps-reduce

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

I'm Co-Chair of EA Bath Uni Group, and therefore manage the WhatsApp community for it. A common problem people have in university society group chats is that scammers and bots often join, so to prevent this, every time someone requests to join the group chats, I message them and ask if they are a real student.
If they are a real student, I then ask them how they heard about EA, and usually follow up with something like

'Oh, that's really cool! Would you be okay to meet so I can explain what EA is about and what EA Bath offers? Or alternatively chat on text / have a call?'

In our 1-1, I summarise my intro talk as a summary of what EA is, and then explain our fellowship that we are running at the university, and finish up by showing some EA resources (e.g. EA Forum, 80K Problem Profiles). This then usually results in them attending at least one session – with a few attending more.

I think this is really effective for reducing friction when asking for 1-1s, as it makes it seem a lot more casual and gives a purpose to the conversation [...]

---

First published:

November 18th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/xwcif9eoPwJk2CTvh/having-strict-rules-on-ea-groups-whatsapps-helps-reduce

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Summary

EA Estonia runs Anneta Targalt, the Estonian effective giving donation platform that has moved $317,758 to top-rated effective charities since December 2021. Operating entirely on volunteer capacity, we've already attracted two of Estonia's top 10 wealthiest individuals as donors, but lack the resources to scale.
We're seeking $24,020 to hire a 0.5 FTE Platform Coordinator for one year to unlock growth through major donor cultivation, paid advertising, and volunteer team coordination. Our goal: reach $46,000 in small donations annually and secure at least 3 new major donors giving at least $1,150/year each.

Make a donation to Anneta Targalt platform here. (https://annetatargalt.ee/donate)

Current situation

EA Estonia has operated Anneta Targalt since December 2021, directing donations to GiveWell top charities, Animal Charity Evaluators recommendations, and the Founders Pledge Climate Change Fund. The platform is entirely volunteer-run, which significantly constrains our growth potential.

Platform performance to date

• Total raised: $317,758 (€274,155)
  • Including $200,000 from two major donors
  • Two donors from Estonia's top 10 wealthiest individuals list
• Regular donor base: 30 recurring donors contributing ~$23,000 (€20,000) annually
• Platform sustainability: Donors can opt to give 5% to platform operations; we've raised €1,000 ($1,158) covering administrative costs (website hosting, marketing tools)

[...]

---

Outline:

(00:14) Summary

(01:09) Current situation

(01:32) Platform performance to date

(02:18) Current team structure (all voluntary-based)

(02:45) Proposed solution: platform coordinator (0.5 FTE)

(02:57) Role responsibilities

(03:34) Why 0.5 FTE?

(03:57) Goals for year one

(04:53) Why we believe this will work

(04:58) Proven track record

(05:25) Estonias unique advantages

(06:24) Room for growth

(06:43) Uncertainties and learning approach

(07:27) Long-term sustainability plan

(08:04) Budget breakdown

(08:32) Why fund this?

(09:15) If we do not reach our target funding

---

First published:

November 20th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/HuFYWd55cktmphDTc/untapping-the-philanthropic-potential-in-estonia-help-us-1

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Sentient Futures Summit (SFS) Bay Area 2026 is a three-day conference exploring the impacts of AI on sentient non-humans, both biological (i.e. animals) and potentially artificial.

Register here by December 1st for a 30% Early Bird Discount!

Taking place in San Francisco the weekend of February 6-8th – a week before EAG Bay Area 2026 – it will build on the success of Sentient Futures’ previous AI, Animals and Digital Minds events in London and NYC, and the AI for Animals Bay Area conference.

Hosting 200-300 attendees, SFS will bring together thought leaders with backgrounds in philosophy, animal welfare science, industry, AI ethics/safety, and government/policy.

Already on our list of attendees, we have:

• Lewis Bollard (Farm Animal Welfare Program Director, Open Philanthropy)
• David Meyer (CEO, Food Systems Innovation)
• David Pearce (Co-founder, Humanity+)
• Jan Leike (Alignment Lead, Anthropic)
• Josh Balk (Co-Founder, The Accountability Board)

The agenda will include:

• Talks and lightning talks (Apply to speak here)
• Participant-driven unconference discussions 
• An organization fair (Apply to participate here)
• Networking sessions and opportunities for 1:1s 
• Satellite events, including coworking and an afterparty. 

For a free or discounted ticket, you can also:

• Apply to volunteer
• Apply for a scholarship

[...]

---

First published:

November 19th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/3frdR7atsWvDwZEBg/sentient-futures-summit-bay-area-2026

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.