The effective altruism (EA) community faces a significant challenge in its lack of diversity, particularly in ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic representation. This homogeneity can limit the range of perspectives in EA discussions, potentially leading to blind spots in prioritization and problem-solving. A more inclusive community could better identify high-impact opportunities and avoid groupthink, ultimately maximizing its overall impact.

A Systematic Approach to Diversity

One way to address this gap could involve creating an organization dedicated to improving diversity within EA through targeted interventions. These might include:

• Outreach programs that introduce EA concepts to underrepresented groups through partnerships with universities, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Mentorship networks to help individuals from diverse backgrounds navigate EA spaces and contribute meaningfully.
• Financial support such as grants or stipends to reduce barriers like conference travel costs.
• Training for EA groups on adopting inclusive practices and tracking diversity metrics for accountability.

Stakeholders and Execution

Key beneficiaries would include underrepresented individuals seeking to engage with EA, EA organizations looking to improve their diversity, and the broader EA community through richer perspectives. Incentives align well: individuals gain access to resources, organizations benefit from broader insights, and funders may see better long-term outcomes.

Execution could begin with a pilot mentorship program or partnerships with a few EA groups to test interventions. Successful approaches could then scale, potentially supported by grants from EA-aligned funders or philanthropic organizations focused on diversity. Early efforts might focus on measurable participation rates and feedback to assess effectiveness.

Differentiation from Existing Work

While some EA groups run local diversity initiatives and platforms like the EA Diversity Forum exist for discussion, this approach would go further by implementing concrete, scalable programs. Unlike one-off grants or ad-hoc projects, it could offer a centralized, holistic suite of interventions addressing multiple barriers to inclusion.

By focusing specifically on diversity within EA and building expertise in inclusive practices, such an organization could become a go-to resource while creating network effects through relationships with underrepresented communities.