Please post the letter your local EA group received, then.
I agree that if the norm is “everyone lies in grant commitment letters, that’s normal”, then it makes the story better. I do not actually believe there is such a norm (and of course, if there is one, it’s a bad one).
And if what you say is true, then the commitment letter is a lie, to be clear—the letter specifically says the grant will be paid out promptly, as soon as SND registers as a non-profit. It clearly says this registration status is the only barrier left.
When I was hired for a job, there was indeed a point at which I got an offer pending on a background check. But the offer letter was clear that this offer was conditional; this FLI letter is not like that.
I think if I was issuing grants, I would use misleading language in such a letter to make it less likely that the grantee organization can’t get registered for some bureaucracy reasons. It’s possible to mention that to the grantee in an email or call too to not cause any confusion. My guess would be that that’s what happened here but that’s just my 2 cents. I have no relevant expertise.
I agree this seems likely. I think it’s bad to use misleading language to help neo-Nazi organizations pass bureaucratic checks, though, and I’m concerned that FLI showed no remorse for this.
My guess is that what happened here is related to Tegmark’s brother—the brother wanted SND to be registered and had the organization ask FLI for a letter. I’m not sure, though, and I think the information we’ve received so far from FLI is insufficient and likely deceptive.
Please post the letter your local EA group received, then.
I agree that if the norm is “everyone lies in grant commitment letters, that’s normal”, then it makes the story better. I do not actually believe there is such a norm (and of course, if there is one, it’s a bad one).
And if what you say is true, then the commitment letter is a lie, to be clear—the letter specifically says the grant will be paid out promptly, as soon as SND registers as a non-profit. It clearly says this registration status is the only barrier left.
When I was hired for a job, there was indeed a point at which I got an offer pending on a background check. But the offer letter was clear that this offer was conditional; this FLI letter is not like that.
I think if I was issuing grants, I would use misleading language in such a letter to make it less likely that the grantee organization can’t get registered for some bureaucracy reasons. It’s possible to mention that to the grantee in an email or call too to not cause any confusion. My guess would be that that’s what happened here but that’s just my 2 cents. I have no relevant expertise.
I agree this seems likely. I think it’s bad to use misleading language to help neo-Nazi organizations pass bureaucratic checks, though, and I’m concerned that FLI showed no remorse for this.
My guess is that what happened here is related to Tegmark’s brother—the brother wanted SND to be registered and had the organization ask FLI for a letter. I’m not sure, though, and I think the information we’ve received so far from FLI is insufficient and likely deceptive.