Grantmanship Opportunity
Lifeboat Foundation Advisory Board member,
The Lifeboat Foundation is ready to help you get grant money from other foundations. If you have an idea for a project related to existential risk that could use funding, we can help you develop and get funding for your idea. We can also find other board members who wish to participate in your grant project.
Lifeboat wants to offer a smorgasbord of credible activities that address existential risk. Our grant initiative offers a bunch of things to do, a test smorgasbord.
The idea is that groups of Lifeboat members with support from Lifeboat approach other foundations that offer grants. We have been researching appropriate foundations. Also think beyond foundations. When you are planning activities that require funding, also consider soliciting donations from individuals, consider venture capitalism if there is profit to be made, and consider that some important things can be accomplished at minimal cost.
Lifeboat can help administer grant funds. Also consider having grant projects administered by other institutions, for example your day job institution. Lifeboat welcomes that competition. Lifeboat has things to offer that may make us the best choice. Lifeboat offers flexibility. We encourage initiatives on the part of our members. For projects related to existential risk solutions, we offer the credibility that existential risk is our focus. We strive to provide good administrative services to grant projects. In order for us to afford to provide good services, we expect most projects to allocate 15% of funds for administration.
Lord Martin Rees, Willard Wells, and several others converge on a short half life of about 100 years for humanity while exposed to risky technology. The singularity, or general technical progress, may save us, but they could be dangerous too. If we get busy and nudge these things in good directions, our odds are better.
Here are some ideas to jumpstart your creativity: A group is already working on a proposal to study, and perhaps implement, plans for survival redoubts that repurpose existing facilities. Many other activities could forward Lifeboat goals: publications or conferences sponsored by Lifeboat, or initiatives related to power, space, artificial intelligence, nanotech, etcetera that contribute to risk reduction.
Grants are not a free lunch. Money is awarded competitively. Many proposals are not funded. Most grant-giving foundations concentrate on local arts or local social service projects, but some have a wider focus. Most foundation grants are in the range of $5,000 to $50,000, a few are larger. People have to volunteer to write proposals and also to implement projects if the proposals are funded. Lifeboat has to approve proposals that we sponsor. Those implementing the grant are responsible for implementing it effectively. The lunch is not free, but it can be worth the effort.