The Laidir Foundation is a Seattle-based private foundation established in 2015 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation operates as a grantmaking entity focused on addressing critical global challenges through evidence-based philanthropy aligned with effective altruism principles.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$4.0M
+24.0% YoY
Grant Count
22
+57.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$184K
-21.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Laidir Foundation aspires to improve the lives of others as much as possible with its limited resources, supporting ambitious and effective organizations working in areas with the greatest potential for impact.
The foundation focuses on three primary areas:
Reducing Extreme Poverty
- Funding organizations that design and pilot novel interventions to address extreme poverty
- Supporting rigorous measurement and evaluation of intervention impact
- Supporting organizations' efforts to attract public and private funding to scale effective interventions
Improving Governance
- Strengthening important institutions' ability to facilitate constructive problem-solving and informed decision-making
- Improving talent pipelines into government to ensure key roles are filled by highly competent, truth-seeking individuals
- Reducing political polarization both generally and in connection with key issues
- Supporting infrastructure for multilateral cooperation
Reducing Risks from Artificial Intelligence
- Enhancing policymakers' understanding of current AI capabilities and potential future evolution
- Designing policies likely to be beneficial or minimally harmful across a wide range of future AI scenarios
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Trustee-directed grantmaking is the primary mechanism rather than formal grant programs.
Grant Range
$16,625 to $540,000
Average Grant
amount: approximately $16,625–$540,000 range
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is multi-state and international, with primary focus areas including the District of Columbia, California, New York, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $71.5 million
- Total Revenue: $11.2 million
- Total Expenses: $4.45 million
- Net Income: $6.79 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $64.7 million
- Total Revenue: $9.66 million
- Total Expenses: $3.83 million
- Total Giving: $3.26 million
The foundation's revenue includes interest income and dividend income, which increase funds available for charitable activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sightline Institute ($525,000), Princeton University ($500,000), Effective Institutions Project ($390,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT TARRYTOWN, NY | TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS PROJECT. | $390,000 |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF 80,000 HOURS TO ADVISE PEOPLE SEEKING TO HAVE A POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT WITH THEIR CAREERS. | $55,000 |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION USA INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | RETHINK WELLBEING PROGRAM - $205,000 | $205,000 |
| FOUNDERS PLEDGE NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS PLEDGE'S WORK IN INCREASE THE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURS. | $250,000 |
| INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION (IPA) WASHINGTON, DC | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF IPA TO DISCOVER AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL POVERTY PROBLEMS. | $350,000 |
| ONLY 7 SECONDS CHELAN, WA | ADDRESS YOUTH LONELINESS | $50,000 |
| ISSUE ONE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE SEATTLE, WA | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF SIGHTLINE INSTITUTE'S HOUSING AND URBANISM PROGRAM. | $525,000 |
| VILLAGE ENTERPRISE SAN CARLOS, CA | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF VILLAGE ENTERPRISE TO PROVIDE AFRICANS WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO START SUSTAINABLE SMALL BUSINESSES. | $200,000 |
| CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT CARNEGIE'S "MANAGING RISK FROM US-CHINA AI COMPETITION | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Brian Lonergan — Director, President & Treasurer (5 hours/week, unpaid)
Matthew McBay — Director, Vice President (0.25 hours/week, unpaid)
The foundation operates with limited paid staffing, relying on volunteer leadership.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN LONERGAN | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT & TREA | 5 | — |
| MATTHEW MCBAY | DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT & | 0.25 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Laidir Foundation fund?
The Laidir Foundation aspires to improve the lives of others as much as possible with its limited resources, supporting ambitious and effective organizations working in areas with the greatest potential for impact. The foundation focuses on three primary areas: **Reducing Extreme Poverty** • Funding organizations that design and pilot novel interventions to address extreme poverty • Supporting rigorous measurement and evaluation of intervention impact • Supporting organizations' efforts to attr…
How do I apply for a grant from Laidir Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics** • Grant range: $16,625 to $540,000 • Median grant amount: $175,000–$225,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $16,625–$540,000 range • Annual giving: approximately $3.3 million (2023: $3,256,625) **Application Process** The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Trustee-directed grantmaking is the primary mechanism rather than formal grant programs. **Recent Grantees (2023)** Notable recipients included: • Longvie…
Where does Laidir Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is multi-state and international, with primary focus areas including the District of Columbia, California, New York, and Washington.
What size grants does Laidir Foundation award?
In 2024, Laidir Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $4.0M — an average of about $184K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Laidir Foundation's EIN?
Laidir Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2519767. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Laidir Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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