The Agency Fund

The Agency Fund comes from the evidence-based movement. As we invest more in AI, we’re seeing new opportunities — and new questions — about how to evaluate AI products well. We’ve started building a framework to help. This blog describes where we’ve got to so far — and it’s the first in a series exploring different kinds of AI evaluation. It’s a work in progress. We’d welcome feedback. 🔗 Read it here and let us know in the comments: https://lnkd.in/dx-vX_XY Samantha Carter, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Han Sheng Chia, Center for Global Development, Farhan A., Temina Madon, James Walsh, Zezhen Wu, PhD. Robert On

The Agency Fund comes from the evidence-based movement. As we invest more in AI, we’re seeing new opportunities — and new questions — about how to evaluate AI products well. We’ve started building a framework to help. This blog describes where we’ve got to so far — and it’s the first in a series exploring different kinds of AI evaluation. It’s a work in progress. We’d welcome feedback. 🔗 Read it here and let us know in the comments: https://lnkd.in/dx-vX_XY Samantha Carter, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Han Sheng Chia, Center for Global Development, Farhan A., Temina Madon, James Walsh, Zezhen Wu, PhD. Robert On

🚀 Funding Opportunity: The Agency Fund Open Call is live now! We’re looking for ambitious, evidence-driven projects that expand human agency and improve lives at scale. We know your time is valuable. Before you apply, we encourage you to review: 🔗 Our Approach: https://lnkd.in/gzJ_xNjD  🔗 What We Fund: https://lnkd.in/gZFXUYc5  🔗 Our Investments to date: https://lnkd.in/g6SpMEAg 🗓️ Deadline to apply: Friday, May 9th, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gcUNwVre Know a project that fits? Tag them in the comments. #FundingOpportunity

🚀 Funding Opportunity: The Agency Fund Open Call is live now! We’re looking for ambitious, evidence-driven projects that expand human agency and improve lives at scale. We know your time is valuable. Before you apply, we encourage you to review: 🔗 Our Approach: https://lnkd.in/gzJ_xNjD  🔗 What We Fund: https://lnkd.in/gZFXUYc5  🔗 Our Investments to date: https://lnkd.in/g6SpMEAg 🗓️ Deadline to apply: Friday, May 9th, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gcUNwVre Know a project that fits? Tag them in the comments. #FundingOpportunity

“My dream is to employ others and become a boss." Jackline starts her day before sunrise, balancing running her shop with caring for her child. She didn’t finish school, but that hasn’t stopped her from building a future on her own terms. Jackline’s story is just one of many. Across East Africa, young women are charting alternative paths to success, proving that with the right support, ambition turns into opportunity. 🎬 Watch the full film here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gFj5mzhZ Educate!

“My dream is to employ others and become a boss." Jackline starts her day before sunrise, balancing running her shop with caring for her child. She didn’t finish school, but that hasn’t stopped her from building a future on her own terms. Jackline’s story is just one of many. Across East Africa, young women are charting alternative paths to success, proving that with the right support, ambition turns into opportunity. 🎬 Watch the full film here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gFj5mzhZ Educate!

✨ Catch us today at Skoll Forum! With TheSidebar, we are hosting a reading and conversation with Stanford University psychologist Greg Walton, whose new book Ordinary Magic explores how small shifts in mindset that shift how people make sense of things can help solve complex social challenges. We’ll hear how social innovators are applying these insights, from schools in India to mental health care in the DRC. 🗓 April 4, 13:00–14:30 BST 📍 50 Market St, Oxford 🔗 Last few seats left, RSVP now: https://lnkd.in/gGZHcNbJ In conversation with: → Richa Gupta (Labhya) → Tom Osborn (Shamiri Institute) → Marie-Alix de Putter® (Bluemind Foundation) → Jamie Lachman (Parenting for Lifelong Health) → Jonathan McKay (SameSame (SiyaFanaFana))   Facilitated by James Walsh (The Agency Fund)

The Agency Fund is excited to bet on Gustav Praekelt and his all-star team at Turn.io - pioneers in chat-for-impact solutions leveraging WhatsApp in at massive scale in the Global South.

The Power of “Small” Interventions to Cause Big Change We spoke with Stanford University psychology professor Greg Walton about Ordinary Magic— his new book on subtle, evidence-based interventions that shape how people interpret challenge, possibility, and belonging. 🔗 Read the interview: https://lnkd.in/gBMG9Y6Q In Oxford for Skoll Forum this week? Join us for Transforming Lives Through Wise Interventions- a live reading of Ordinary Magic and an interactive session with Greg Walton and social innovators exploring how these insights are being applied across education, mental health, and social development. 🗓️ Friday, April 4 | 1:00–2:30 pm BST 📍 50 Market Street, Oxford 🔗 RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gGZHcNbJ Seats are limited. RSVP today.

Today, mission-driven organizations are adapting artificial intelligence and digital tools to improve service delivery. But the infrastructure around them is only starting to catch up. 🔗 Our blog from Temina Madon and Edmund Korley looks at what it would take to build an ecosystem like those behind successful product development partnerships in global health: https://lnkd.in/gfQDH2id If that resonates with you, join us at Skoll. We’re hosting a session at Marmalade on April 3rd, focused on how mission-driven organizations can make learning part of their core operations. 🔗 RSVP: https://lu.ma/llnck0ov