Long-Term Future Fund: Ask Us Anything!

The Long-Term Future Fund (LTFF) is one of the EA Funds. Between Friday Dec 4th and Monday Dec 7th, we’ll be available to answer any questions you have about the fund – we look forward to hearing from all of you!

The LTFF aims to positively influence the long-term trajectory of civilization by making grants that address global catastrophic risks, especially potential risks from advanced artificial intelligence and pandemics. In addition, we seek to promote, implement, and advocate for longtermist ideas, and to otherwise increase the likelihood that future generations will flourish.

Grant recommendations are made by a team of volunteer Fund Managers: Matt Wage, Helen Toner, Oliver Habryka, Adam Gleave and Asya Bergal. We are also fortunate to be advised by Nick Beckstead and Nicole Ross. You can read our bios here. Jonas Vollmer, who is heading EA Funds, also provides occasional advice to the Fund.

You can read about how we choose grants here. Our previous grant decisions and rationale are described in our payout reports. We’d welcome discussion and questions regarding our grant decisions, but to keep discussion in one place, please post comments related to our most recent grant round in this post.

Please ask any questions you like about the fund, including but not limited to:

  • Our grant evaluation process.

  • Areas we are excited about funding.

  • Coordination between donors.

  • Our future plans.

  • Any uncertainties or complaints you have about the fund. (You can also e-mail us at ealongtermfuture[at]gmail[dot]com for anything that should remain confidential.)

We’d also welcome more free-form discussion, such as:

  • What should the goals of the fund be?

  • What is the comparative advantage of the fund compared to other donors?

  • Why would you/​would you not donate to the fund?

  • What, if any, goals should the fund have other than making high-impact grants? Examples could include: legibility to donors; holding grantees accountable; setting incentives; identifying and training grant-making talent.

  • How would you like the fund to communicate with donors?

We look forward to hearing your questions and ideas!