Giving What We Can is spinning out of the Effective Ventures Foundations

Giving What We Can (GWWC) is embarking on an exciting new chapter: after years of support, we will be spinning out of the Effective Ventures Foundation UK and US (collectively referred to as “EV”), our parent charities in the US and UK respectively, to become an independent organisation.

Rest assured that our core mission, commitments, and focus on effective giving remain unchanged. We believe this transition will allow us to better serve our community and to achieve our mission more effectively. Below, you'll find all the details you need, including what is changing, what isn't, and how you can get involved.

A heartfelt thanks

First and foremost, we owe a very big thank you to the team at EV. Their support over the years has helped us to grow and have a meaningful impact in the world. We could not be more grateful for their support.

A big thank you also to our members and donors who have supported us along the way. In particular I’d like to thank the many of you who we’ve consulted throughout the process of arriving at this decision and working on a plan.

Why spin out?

When GWWC was founded in 2009, it was among the first in a small constellation of initiatives aimed at fostering what would soon be called “effective altruism.” In 2011, following the establishment of 80,000 Hours, both organisations came together to form the Centre for Effective Altruism (which is now EV to disambiguate from the project called Centre for Effective Altruism, which is also housed within EV).

A lot has changed in the intervening years, both within GWWC and within EV. Today, EV is home to more than 10 different initiatives and is focused on a broad range of issues. As for GWWC, we have developed ambitious plans for our future and are committed to focusing more than ever on our core mission: to make effective and significant giving a cultural norm.

We’ve been considering this option for quite some time and have come to the conclusion that the best way to achieve our mission is to be an independent organisation. Being independent will allow us to:

• Align our organisational structure and governance more closely with our mission.
• Better manage our own legal and reputational risks.
• Have greater clarity and transparency of our inner workings and governance to the outside world.
• Have greater control over our operational costs.

We believe that these changes will enable us to serve our community better and to contribute more effectively to growing effective giving.

The details

For most of you, very little will change. There will be a multi-stage transition period (most of which we estimate will be completed over the next 12 months) and any relevant changes will be communicated in a timely and transparent manner. Here’s what to expect:

What's changing

• We have registered Giving What We Can USA Inc. as a 501(c)(3) charity in the US, and have started the process of registering charities in the UK and Canada. There will be a transfer of GWWC-specific intellectual property, contracts, services, and data (e.g. brand, databases, website, files) to the new entities (exact structure to be determined) and a transition of the donation platform across to the new entities. Our supported programs (e.g. charitable projects and grantmaking funds) will need to be onboarded as programs with our new entities before any switch over dates (TBC) in each country.
• We are recruiting new governance and advisory boards for the new entities.
• We're also pursuing affiliate arrangements to continue to expand effective-giving support into new countries (e.g. our collaboration with EA Australia to launch GWWC Australia). This will include adapting our approach to local tax situations, cultural contexts, languages, and currencies.

What's not changing

• Our dedication to fostering a culture of effective and meaningful giving continues unabated, guided by our long-standing mission.
• Our community of members who have taken our pledge will continue to grow and be supported throughout the transition period and beyond.
• Our trusted donation platform will continue being maintained and improved, serving as a gateway to impactful philanthropy.
• Our research and inclusion criteria will continue iterating and improving, as we strive to be a robust and compelling resource for giving effectively.
• We will continue to support fundraising for and grantmaking to our range of supported programs (both within and outside of EV).

How you can help

• Offer to help with board recruitment
• Support operational funding

This is an exceptionally important time for us and your support is greatly appreciated.

Have more questions?

Please feel free to email community@givingwhatwecan.org with any questions you have.