Rethink Priorities

San Francisco, California (fully remote)

established61 peopleFounded 2018

Donate:Every.org·Direct·Giving What We Can

Rethink Priorities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit think-and-do tank founded in 2018 by Marcus A. Davis and Peter Wildeford. The organization conducts rigorous empirical research to identify tractable, neglected opportunities for impact across four core research areas: animal welfare, global health and development, worldview investigations, and surveys and data analysis. RP also operates a Special Projects program that provides fiscal sponsorship and operational support to nascent high-impact organizations, including the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS). Through commissioned research, consulting, and independent investigations, RP supports policymakers, philanthropists, and other organizations in making evidence-based decisions that maximize impact for humans and animals.

Funding Details

Annual Budget: $7,500,000
Monthly Burn Rate: $625,000
Current Runway: -
Funding Goal: $9,300,000
Funding Raised to Date: -
Fiscal Sponsor: -

Theory of Change

Rethink Priorities believes that rigorous, empirical research is essential for directing resources toward the most impactful interventions. Their theory of change operates through several pathways: by conducting independent and commissioned research across cause areas, they identify neglected, tractable opportunities for impact that would otherwise be overlooked. Their cross-cause prioritization work helps philanthropists and policymakers allocate resources more effectively by comparing interventions across different domains. Through their Special Projects program, they accelerate the launch and growth of new organizations working on high-impact problems. Their surveys and public opinion research informs AI governance and policy discussions by providing evidence about public attitudes. Across all these pathways, RP aims to improve decision-making in the effective altruism ecosystem and beyond, ultimately reducing suffering for humans and animals in the present while safeguarding the long-term future.