Sean HegartyChief Financial Officer
Grantmaker · Funders · San Francisco, CA (mailing address); also operates offices/addresses in New York (mailing address) · Est. 2015
Founders Pledge is a global nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs give more effectively by combining evidence-based philanthropic research, one-to-one advising, and pooled “Funds” that deploy donations via research-led grantmaking. The organization’s strategy is “funds-first”: donors contribute to specialized thematic funds (for example climate, global catastrophic risks, global health & development, and time-sensitive response), and fund managers use internal research and domain expertise to select, finance, and in some cases catalyze initiatives.
Institutionally, Founders Pledge operates with registered nonprofit entities in the US, UK, and Germany and reports that it does not charge membership fees; it is supported by donors (including foundations and corporate partners) as well as contributions from its members. Programmatically, Founders Pledge publishes research and methodology work for donors and grantmakers, and it describes its decision-making as operating under uncertainty (not only evidence certainty). In addition to directing grants, it also maintains advisory and community-facing resources designed to help pledgers decide what to fund and how to think about impact and trade-offs. Strategically, the organization has expanded its grantmaking through multiple funds and has recently emphasized scaling and resilience in politically and evidentially uncertain environments, including time-sensitive emergency coverage (Rapid Response Fund) and catalytic investments following foreign-aid shocks.
Last week, the Founders Pledge Climate Fund received a $60M donation, the third consecutive year of transformational support from an anonymous donor.
One year of the Catalytic Impact FundReflections on our first twelve months
On the ground with our granteesWhat we learned from our grantee site visit in Ethiopia
Community NewsRead the latest news, insights and stories from Founders Pledge, our global community and our work to make high-impact giving the norm.
Grantmaking methodology for high-uncertainty contextsOur presentation at EA Global London 2026
In the MediaExplore the latest Founders Pledge media coverage, including articles, interviews, podcasts and features on philanthropy and high-impact giving.
Press ReleasesRead the latest Founders Pledge press releases, announcements and updates on our work, partnerships, funding and high-impact philanthropy.
Twelve ideas that could absorb hundreds of millions of dollarsDiscover twelve high-impact philanthropic opportunities where significant funding could help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Rapid Response Fund launchedFounders Pledge and The Life You Can Save launched the Rapid Response Fund to bridge critical funding gaps created by the suspension of U.S. foreign aid.
$50 million donated to Founders Pledge Climate FundFounders Pledge reaches $50 million in charitable commitments from entrepreneurs pledging a portion of their wealth to high-impact causes.
How we work with the world's most effective climate charitiesLearn how Founders Pledge evaluates the world’s most effective climate charities to help donors find high-impact opportunities for climate giving.
Why a Donor Advised Fund is an ideal way to do your givingLearn how a Donor Advised Fund can simplify your charitable giving and how Founders Pledge helps you make informed, high-impact giving decisions.
Founders Pledge reported learnings from a grantee site visit in Ethiopia, describing four organizations it directed funding to across education, agriculture, and health.
$178M Over Six Years: Bold Gifts Enable Bold Bets (Climate Fund update)Founders Pledge described cumulative Climate Fund support, including a reported $60M donation in the prior week and a total of over $178M received to date, plus examples of grants it says are being deployed.
Grantmaking methodology for high-uncertainty contexts (EA Global London 2026 presentation)Founders Pledge published a post summarizing its methodology for making decisions under evidence uncertainty and indirect theories of change, including plans to release a tool to other organizations.
How we’re investing in Africa’s financial future beyond foreign aidFounders Pledge described work it says aims to help governments become structurally less vulnerable to funding shocks, including reporting that its Catalytic Impact Fund made three grants totaling over $1.8M to support financial resilience.
Change and Continuity: New Leadership for 2026Founders Pledge announced that COO Charlotte Monico would step into the role of CEO, with David Goldberg moving to Founder & President.
After Raising Over $13 Million for Evidence-Based Charities Amid Foreign Aid Cuts, The Life You Can Save and Founders Pledge Transition to the Next Era of PhilanthropyFounders Pledge reported that the Rapid Response Fund accepted final donations on August 31 and described its transition to long-term strategies, including that the fund awarded 13 grants to 11 partner organizations.