Big Bang members share leads, insights, networks and due diligence in order to

1) make us better funders

2) get the most money we can to the organizations best able to create change.

We all spend at least $1 million per year to fight international poverty and fund at least five Big Bang organizations in common. We care a lot about real impact and getting solutions that work to scale.

EVERYONE MAKES THEIR OWN DECISIONS THEIR OWN WAY

We don’t pool our money; we do co-fund as much as we possibly can.

WE TREAT THE DOERS WELL

We encourage each other to provide unrestricted funding (or to be as flexible a funder we can), minimize documents and process, and generally treat doers with gratitude and respect. We’re still a long way from perfect; we always reflect on where we can learn and where we could do better.

WE HATE HASSLE, WE LOVE COLLABORATION

Big Bang exists to make collaboration easy. We have very few rules and the only structured event is an annual two-day meeting. We talk to each other a lot. We get together in informal groups at all kinds of events. We expect each other to collaborate more and more over time.

What you get as a member of big BanG:

Access to hard-to-find, high-quality leads.
Access to high-quality due diligence that you couldn’t get otherwise.
A trusted network that values candid and timely conversations.
The opportunity to leverage your investments.
Exposure to new ideas about funding and access to others’ methods and materials.
A great community of serious funders who don’t take themselves too seriously.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BIG BANG MEMBER?

We have room for a few more. All new members come in through a referral from one of our existing members, so if you’re interested, just reach out to somebody in the group to learn more.

Here’s what it takes to be a member -

Entry Criteria:

Dedicate at least $1 million per year to poverty solutions in low- and middle-income countries.
Fund at least five Big Bang Organizations in common with our group. You can see our full list of Big Bang Organizations here.
Express a commitment to collaborate, and to grow that collaboration over time.

Time Commitment:

Annually: Attend our two-day, in-person annual meeting (up to two people from the member organization; should include the lead decision-maker).
Quarterly: Smaller group meetings to share information on new leads, renewed grants, recommendations, and any organizational news from members. Also, members share financial data to identify commonly funded organizations.
Informal commitment: This whole enterprise is based on sharing. Members are expected to share information and give time to each other.

Financial Commitment:

Pay annual membership dues ($2-5k depending on the year - seriously, it’s that cheap).
Intention to maintain five active grants/investments in Big Bang Organizations at $50k+ per year each.