I’d also add that there are plenty of situations where individuals are required to disperse funds which have already been earmarked for spending on a particular cause. For example, many large businesses have staff “LGBT+ inclusion committees” and provide funds which these committees are expected to donate to LGBT+ charities.
In this situation, whether or not charities focussed on improving the lives of LGBT+ people are more or less effective than others is irrelevant. The funds are earmarked for that purpose and so the task of the committee members is to determine which charities that fall under their remit are most impactful.
If discussion relating to how to do so is not welcome and encouraged in EA spaces then there is a risk that such evaluation won’t take place at all.
Completely agree.
I’d also add that there are plenty of situations where individuals are required to disperse funds which have already been earmarked for spending on a particular cause. For example, many large businesses have staff “LGBT+ inclusion committees” and provide funds which these committees are expected to donate to LGBT+ charities.
In this situation, whether or not charities focussed on improving the lives of LGBT+ people are more or less effective than others is irrelevant. The funds are earmarked for that purpose and so the task of the committee members is to determine which charities that fall under their remit are most impactful.
If discussion relating to how to do so is not welcome and encouraged in EA spaces then there is a risk that such evaluation won’t take place at all.
This is a good point, thanks!