
The Laidir Foundation concentrates philanthropic support at the intersection of AI safety/governance, effective-altruism-aligned institutional capacity, and evidence‑based public policy. They fund research, fellowships, and intermediary grantmaking/advisory organizations that incubate policy expertise and scale high-impact ideas, with occasional support for regional urbanism work. Grants skew toward programmatic and policy interventions rather than direct service delivery.
Laidir Foundation C/o Brian Lonergan’s recent giving shows a clear preference for intermediary organizations that move policy, research, and talent into high-impact fields. One of the largest recurring commitments is to Sightline Institute, which received $525,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for its housing and urbanism program. The foundation also made substantial multi-year support to Effective Ventures Foundation USA Inc, including $540,000 in 2024 and $300,000 in 2023, with portions directed to Rethink Wellbeing, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development program, Longview Grantmaking Advisory, and the Centre for Effective Altruism USA. Across the portfolio, the foundation backs organizations that produce policy research, train fellows, convene expertise, and strengthen grantmaking capacity. That includes support for the Craig Samuel Falls AI Policy Fellowship at Princeton University, US AI Safety Institute fellowships through TechCongress, and advisory work through Longview Philanthropy. Its grants also reach evidence-based development organizations such as Innovations for Poverty Action, Village Enterprise, and Noora Health, along with select urbanism and housing work in the Pacific Northwest.
In AI safety and governance, Laidir Foundation C/o Brian Lonergan supported the Craig Samuel Falls AI Policy Fellowship at Princeton University with $500,000 in 2025 and TechCongress with $340,000 in 2025 for US AI Safety Institute fellowships. It also gave $300,000 in 2024 to The Future Society Inc for AI governance and $500,000 in 2024 to Vanguard Charitable for the AI Safety Tactical Opportunities Fund. In effective-altruism ecosystem building, the foundation backed Effective Ventures Foundation USA Inc multiple times, including $205,000 in 2025 for Rethink Wellbeing Program and $250,000 in 2023 for 80,000 Hours. For evidence-based poverty work, Innovations for Poverty Action received $350,000 in 2025 and $250,000 in 2024. Health-oriented grants included $176,220 in 2023 to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for the study of distribution of a free version of the iCanQuit smoking app in India.
Typical grants cluster at $250,000, with the 25th percentile at $100,000 and the 75th percentile also at $250,000; the median grant size is $250,000. The recent record shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially Sightline Institute, Effective Ventures Foundation USA Inc, Innovations for Poverty Action, Founders Pledge, and Effective Institutions Project. The foundation is a regular funder and funds individuals, but the listed grants are mostly to organizations and intermediaries. Recent awards are generally programmatic or general-operations support rather than narrowly restricted project builds, and the grant list includes both single-purpose awards and bundled support to one recipient.
$4M
$71.5M
$11.2M
$4.4M
Most grants fall between $100K and $250K, with a median of $250K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$250K
75th Percentile
$250K
About 13% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of national research and policy organizations and intermediaries; a mix of repeat funding for core partners and large one-off gifts to fellows/programs. Emphasis on policy influence, research, and capacity-building rather than many small local grants.
Notable grantees: Sightline Institute, Effective Ventures Foundation / Centre for Effective Altruism, Princeton University (AI Policy Fellowship), TechCongress, Innovations for Poverty Action
Grant recipients are concentrated in the United States, which accounts for all listed grants, and Washington state receives 16% of grants. DC is the top recipient state by grant count, with multiple awards to organizations in Washington, DC such as Innovations for Poverty Action, TechCongress, and Rebuild Congress Initiative. Other recurring recipient hubs include Seattle, where Sightline Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center appear, and San Francisco, where Effective Ventures Foundation USA Inc and Village Enterprise are located. The portfolio also reaches Princeton, New York, Tarrytown, and Honolulu.
It most often backs policy, research, and intermediary organizations. Recent examples include Princeton University for the Craig Samuel Falls AI Policy Fellowship, TechCongress for US AI Safety Institute fellowships, Longview Philanthropy for grantmaking advisory work, and Innovations for Poverty Action for evidence-based poverty research.
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $100,000, the median is $250,000, and the 75th percentile is $250,000. Recent awards include multiple $250,000 grants and several larger commitments above that level.
Yes. Sightline Institute received $525,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Effective Ventures Foundation USA Inc, Innovations for Poverty Action, Founders Pledge, and Effective Institutions Project also appear more than once in the recent grant record.
The grant record includes AI safety and governance, housing and urbanism, effective-altruism ecosystem building, poverty alleviation research, global health, governance, and mental or social health. Named examples include AI policy fellowships at Princeton, housing and urbanism support for Sightline Institute, and poverty research support for Innovations for Poverty Action.
All listed grants go to US recipients. Washington, DC is the top state by grant count, and Washington state receives 16% of grants. Seattle, San Francisco, Princeton, New York, Tarrytown, and Honolulu are among the recipient cities that appear in the recent grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE | SEATTLE, WA | $525,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE'S HOUSING AND URBANISM PROGRAM. |
| PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CRAIG SAMUEL FALLS AI POLICY FELLOWSHIP |
| EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT | TARRYTOWN, NY | $390,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT. |
| INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION (IPA) | WASHINGTON, DC | $350,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF IPA TO DISCOVER AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL POVERTY PROBLEMS. |
| TECHCONGRESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $340,000 | 2025 | FOR US AI SAFETY INSTITUTE FELLOWSHIPS |
| LONGVIEW PHILANTHROPY | CLAYMONT, DE | $300,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT LONGVIEW'S GRANTMAKING ADVISORY WORK |
| FOUNDERS PLEDGE | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS PLEDGE'S WORK IN INCREASE THE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURS. |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $205,000 | 2025 | RETHINK WELLBEING PROGRAM - $205,000 |
| VILLAGE ENTERPRISE | SAN CARLOS, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF VILLAGE ENTERPRISE TO PROVIDE AFRICANS WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO START SUSTAINABLE SMALL BUSINESSES. |
| PLAYERS PHILANTHROPY FUND | TOWSON, MD | $160,000 | 2025 | PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - $100,000SUPPORT EFFORTS TO SIMPLIFY TEACHING AND INCREASE LEARNING - $35,000SUPPORT KAYA GUIDES EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH - $25,000 |
| LEGAL ADVOCATES FOR SAFE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ADVOCACY FOR SAFE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| SAFE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FORUM | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SAIF'S EFFORTS TO FOSTER INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION TO MITIGATE AI RISKS |
| CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CARNEGIE'S "MANAGING RISK FROM US-CHINA AI COMPETITION |
| SEMILLA NUEVA | BOISE, ID | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EFFORTS TO EXPAND THE USE OF BIOFORTIFIED CORN |
| HALCYON FUTURES INC | SANTA MONICA, CA | $70,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EFFORTS TO HELP LEADERS TAKE ON AMBITIOUS PROJECTS |
| HACK FOUNDATION | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $65,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE MEANING ALIGNMENT INSTITUTE |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $55,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF 80,000 HOURS TO ADVISE PEOPLE SEEKING TO HAVE A POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT WITH THEIR CAREERS. |
| FAMILY EMPOWERMENT MEDIA | DOVER, DE | $52,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PMC360'S DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE IN RURAL NIGERIA |
| SHAMIRI INSTITUTE | SOMERVILLE, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH |
| CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EFFORT TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION |
| ONLY 7 SECONDS | CHELAN, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | ADDRESS YOUTH LONELINESS |
| ISSUE ONE | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $540,000 | 2024 | RETHINK WELLBEING PROGRAM - $140,000SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - $100,000LONGVIEW GRANTMAKING ADVISORY SUPPORT - $300,000 |
| SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE | SEATTLE, WA | $525,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE'S HOUSING AND URBANISM PROGRAM. |
| VANGUARD CHARITABLE | WARWICK, RI | $500,000 | 2024 | AI SAFETY TACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND |
| THE FUTURE SOCIETY INC | BOSTON, MA | $300,000 | 2024 | IMPROVE AI GOVERNANCE |
| REBUILD CONGRESS INITIATIVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION (IPA) | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF IPA TO DISCOVER AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL POVERTY PROBLEMS. |
| FOUNDERS PLEDGE | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS PLEDGE'S WORK IN INCREASE THE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURS. |
| PACIFIC FORUM INTERNATIONAL | HONOLULU, HI | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT US-CHINA SPECIFIC NUCLEAR DIALOGUES |
| EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT | TARRYTOWN, NY | $150,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT. |
| ONLY 7 SECONDS | CHELAN, WA | $100,000 | 2024 | ADDRESS YOUTH LONELINESS |
| RIESGOS CATASTROFICOS GLOBALES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | MANAGING GLOBAL CATASTROPHIC RISKS |
| FP21 | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | INCREASE THE USE OF EVIDENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY DECISIONS |
| MAGNIFY MENTORING | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | MENTORSHIP PROGRAM |
| FINEMIND | DENVER, CO | $16,625 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTHCARE |
| SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE | SEATTLE, WA | $525,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE'S HOUSING AND URBANISM PROGRAM. |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $300,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF CENTRE FOR EFFECTIVE ALTRUISM USA. |
| ISSUE ONE | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF ISSUE ONE IN SUPPORT OF THE REBUILD CONGRESS INITIATIVE. |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $250,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF 80,000 HOURS TO ADVISE PEOPLE SEEKING TO HAVE A POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT WITH THEIR CAREERS. |
| INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION (IPA) | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF IPA TO DISCOVER AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL POVERTY PROBLEMS. |
| FOUNDERS PLEDGE | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS PLEDGE'S WORK IN INCREASE THE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURS. |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $176,220 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE STUDY OF DISTRIBUTION OF A FREE VERSON OF THE ICANQUIT SMOKING APP IN INDIA. |
| NOORA HEALTH | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $150,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT NOORA HEALTH'S WORK TO TRAIN CAREGIVERS TO IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES. |
| THE LIFE YOU CAN SAVE-DEVELOPMENT MEDIA INTL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF DEVELOPMENT MEDIA INTL IN SUPPORT OF MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY. |
| NINE MUSES FOUNDATION | TARRYTOWN, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT. |
| VILLAGE ENTERPRISE | SAN CARLOS, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF VILLAGE ENTERPRISE TO PROVIDE AFRICANS WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO START SUSTAINABLE SMALL BUSINESSES. |
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE'S HOUSING AND URBANISM PROGRAM.
EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT
$390,000TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT.
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF IPA TO DISCOVER AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL POVERTY PROBLEMS.
TECHCONGRESS
$340,000FOR US AI SAFETY INSTITUTE FELLOWSHIPS
LONGVIEW PHILANTHROPY
$300,000TO SUPPORT LONGVIEW'S GRANTMAKING ADVISORY WORK
TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS PLEDGE'S WORK IN INCREASE THE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURS.
RETHINK WELLBEING PROGRAM - $205,000
VILLAGE ENTERPRISE
$200,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF VILLAGE ENTERPRISE TO PROVIDE AFRICANS WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO START SUSTAINABLE SMALL BUSINESSES.
PLAYERS PHILANTHROPY FUND
$160,000PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - $100,000SUPPORT EFFORTS TO SIMPLIFY TEACHING AND INCREASE LEARNING - $35,000SUPPORT KAYA GUIDES EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH - $25,000
LEGAL ADVOCATES FOR SAFE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
$100,000TO SUPPORT ADVOCACY FOR SAFE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SAFE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FORUM
$100,000SUPPORT SAIF'S EFFORTS TO FOSTER INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION TO MITIGATE AI RISKS
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE
$100,000SUPPORT CARNEGIE'S "MANAGING RISK FROM US-CHINA AI COMPETITION
HALCYON FUTURES INC
$70,000SUPPORT EFFORTS TO HELP LEADERS TAKE ON AMBITIOUS PROJECTS
TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF 80,000 HOURS TO ADVISE PEOPLE SEEKING TO HAVE A POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT WITH THEIR CAREERS.
FAMILY EMPOWERMENT MEDIA
$52,000TO SUPPORT PMC360'S DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE IN RURAL NIGERIA
SHAMIRI INSTITUTE
$50,000SUPPORT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH
CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION
$50,000SUPPORT EFFORT TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION
ONLY 7 SECONDS
$50,000ADDRESS YOUTH LONELINESS
RETHINK WELLBEING PROGRAM - $140,000SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - $100,000LONGVIEW GRANTMAKING ADVISORY SUPPORT - $300,000
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE'S HOUSING AND URBANISM PROGRAM.
REBUILD CONGRESS INITIATIVE
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF IPA TO DISCOVER AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL POVERTY PROBLEMS.
TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS PLEDGE'S WORK IN INCREASE THE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURS.
EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT
$150,000TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT.
RIESGOS CATASTROFICOS GLOBALES
$75,000MANAGING GLOBAL CATASTROPHIC RISKS
FP21
$50,000INCREASE THE USE OF EVIDENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY DECISIONS
MAGNIFY MENTORING
$50,000MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
FINEMIND
$16,625MENTAL HEALTHCARE
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE'S HOUSING AND URBANISM PROGRAM.
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF CENTRE FOR EFFECTIVE ALTRUISM USA.
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF ISSUE ONE IN SUPPORT OF THE REBUILD CONGRESS INITIATIVE.
TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF 80,000 HOURS TO ADVISE PEOPLE SEEKING TO HAVE A POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT WITH THEIR CAREERS.
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF IPA TO DISCOVER AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL POVERTY PROBLEMS.
TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS PLEDGE'S WORK IN INCREASE THE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURS.
TO SUPPORT THE STUDY OF DISTRIBUTION OF A FREE VERSON OF THE ICANQUIT SMOKING APP IN INDIA.
TO SUPPORT NOORA HEALTH'S WORK TO TRAIN CAREGIVERS TO IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES.
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF DEVELOPMENT MEDIA INTL IN SUPPORT OF MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY.
VILLAGE ENTERPRISE
$100,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF VILLAGE ENTERPRISE TO PROVIDE AFRICANS WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO START SUSTAINABLE SMALL BUSINESSES.