grantmaking.ai launches $1M grant round for AI x-risk projects

grantmaking.ai, a new open platform funded by Anton Makiievskyi and built by Matt Brooks and Melissa Samworth, has initiated a $1 million grant round targeting AI existential risk reduction. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 per application, with priority review guaranteed for submissions received by July 13. Final funding decisions are expected by July 28. The platform aims to democratize AI safety funding by making applications mostly public, allowing community comments and endorsements to guide funders. Even non-applicants are invited to participate as reviewers, with $100,000 of the total budget reserved for top commenters to regrant to projects they identify.

The reviewing panel includes Gavin Leech (co-founder of Arb Research), Ryan Kidd, and Marcus Abramovitch. The initiative seeks to create a comprehensive public repository of donation opportunities in AI safety, including funding needs, theories of impact, and team track records. Currently, most AI safety funding flows through private large funds; grantmaking.ai wants to complement that by enabling faster, more agile public coordination for smaller grants that often get overlooked. Applicants can post their projects, funders can explore data and donate directly, and community members can add endorsements and comments to improve the signal for all participants.