Matt Coleman
@matt--coleman.bsky.social
Executive Director at Giving Multiplier
Psychology researcher at Harvard
Previously: Psychology PhD at Northeastern | BS in Neuroscience at Tulane
Psychology researcher at Harvard
Previously: Psychology PhD at Northeastern | BS in Neuroscience at Tulane
Reposted by Matt Coleman
New article I wrote at Behavioral Scientist (@behscientist.bsky.social): I share the psychological research on "drop-in-the-bucket" thinking, how this tendency shows up when trying to make an impact, and what we can do about it.
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
How ‘Proportion Dominance’ Gets in the Way of Effective Giving - by Matthew Coleman - Behavioral Scientist
When it comes to helping others, it’s important to remember that it’s the size of the drop that matters, not the size of the bucket.
behavioralscientist.org
September 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
New article I wrote at Behavioral Scientist (@behscientist.bsky.social): I share the psychological research on "drop-in-the-bucket" thinking, how this tendency shows up when trying to make an impact, and what we can do about it.
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
Happy 5th birthday to @givingmultiplier.bsky.social! It's been an incredible joy directing the platform for the past couple years.
Stay tuned for our biggest initiative yet, launching next month.
Stay tuned for our biggest initiative yet, launching next month.
🎉 Giving Multiplier turns 5!
We launched in 2020 as a proof of concept — could we apply behavioral science to help people increase their charitable impact?
“We would have been happy if we raised a little bit
better than bake sale," said co-founder Prof. Joshua Greene.
1/2
We launched in 2020 as a proof of concept — could we apply behavioral science to help people increase their charitable impact?
“We would have been happy if we raised a little bit
better than bake sale," said co-founder Prof. Joshua Greene.
1/2
November 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Happy 5th birthday to @givingmultiplier.bsky.social! It's been an incredible joy directing the platform for the past couple years.
Stay tuned for our biggest initiative yet, launching next month.
Stay tuned for our biggest initiative yet, launching next month.
Reposted by Matt Coleman
🍂 Our Fall newsletter is here!
🎧 See the impact of the $675,000 directed to charity by @ologies.bsky.social listeners in just two months
🐔 Learn how @thehumaneleagueus.bsky.social improves millions of farmed animals' lives
📖 Read our director's new article in @behscientist.bsky.social
👇 Link below
🎧 See the impact of the $675,000 directed to charity by @ologies.bsky.social listeners in just two months
🐔 Learn how @thehumaneleagueus.bsky.social improves millions of farmed animals' lives
📖 Read our director's new article in @behscientist.bsky.social
👇 Link below
October 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
🍂 Our Fall newsletter is here!
🎧 See the impact of the $675,000 directed to charity by @ologies.bsky.social listeners in just two months
🐔 Learn how @thehumaneleagueus.bsky.social improves millions of farmed animals' lives
📖 Read our director's new article in @behscientist.bsky.social
👇 Link below
🎧 See the impact of the $675,000 directed to charity by @ologies.bsky.social listeners in just two months
🐔 Learn how @thehumaneleagueus.bsky.social improves millions of farmed animals' lives
📖 Read our director's new article in @behscientist.bsky.social
👇 Link below
New research from Janek Kretschmer & Paul Smeets: separating donation decisions into two stages (1. how much to give, 2. which charity to support) increases charitable impact.
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
October 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
New research from Janek Kretschmer & Paul Smeets: separating donation decisions into two stages (1. how much to give, 2. which charity to support) increases charitable impact.
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Matt Coleman
A hen spends her life in a cage no bigger than an iPad, unable to spread her wings.
This #WorldFarmAnimalsDay, let's change that. For less than a dollar, you can help free a hen, and your donation gets a 50% boost all week long. With your help, we can free 100,000 hens.
This #WorldFarmAnimalsDay, let's change that. For less than a dollar, you can help free a hen, and your donation gets a 50% boost all week long. With your help, we can free 100,000 hens.
October 2, 2025 at 3:02 AM
A hen spends her life in a cage no bigger than an iPad, unable to spread her wings.
This #WorldFarmAnimalsDay, let's change that. For less than a dollar, you can help free a hen, and your donation gets a 50% boost all week long. With your help, we can free 100,000 hens.
This #WorldFarmAnimalsDay, let's change that. For less than a dollar, you can help free a hen, and your donation gets a 50% boost all week long. With your help, we can free 100,000 hens.
New article I wrote at Behavioral Scientist (@behscientist.bsky.social): I share the psychological research on "drop-in-the-bucket" thinking, how this tendency shows up when trying to make an impact, and what we can do about it.
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
How ‘Proportion Dominance’ Gets in the Way of Effective Giving - by Matthew Coleman - Behavioral Scientist
When it comes to helping others, it’s important to remember that it’s the size of the drop that matters, not the size of the bucket.
behavioralscientist.org
September 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
New article I wrote at Behavioral Scientist (@behscientist.bsky.social): I share the psychological research on "drop-in-the-bucket" thinking, how this tendency shows up when trying to make an impact, and what we can do about it.
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
Article: behavioralscientist.org/how-proporti...
Reposted by Matt Coleman
ICYMI: Three weeks ago, we were featured on the "Trolleyology" episode of @ologies.bsky.social.
Since then, hundreds of Ologites have collectively directed an astounding $445,000 toward combating extreme poverty and climate change, supporting 230+ of their favorite nonprofits, and much more. Bravo!
Since then, hundreds of Ologites have collectively directed an astounding $445,000 toward combating extreme poverty and climate change, supporting 230+ of their favorite nonprofits, and much more. Bravo!
The Trolley Problem! A hot philosophical debate.
Who gets spared? Where should you donate? What is "harm?" What would a monk do? W/ Dr. Josh Greene of @givingmultiplier.bsky.social.
Also: neurodivergence & moral decisions, religion + your new fave skeleton.
www.alieward.com/ologies/trol...
Who gets spared? Where should you donate? What is "harm?" What would a monk do? W/ Dr. Josh Greene of @givingmultiplier.bsky.social.
Also: neurodivergence & moral decisions, religion + your new fave skeleton.
www.alieward.com/ologies/trol...
Trolleyology (MORAL DILEMMAS + THE TROLLEY PROBLEM) with Dr. Joshua Greene — alie ward
Train tracks. Split decisions. And a philosophy humdinger worth debating. Dr. Joshua Greene is a Harvard Psychology professor, neuroscientist, and *actual* Trolleyologist. This thought experiment pop...
www.alieward.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
ICYMI: Three weeks ago, we were featured on the "Trolleyology" episode of @ologies.bsky.social.
Since then, hundreds of Ologites have collectively directed an astounding $445,000 toward combating extreme poverty and climate change, supporting 230+ of their favorite nonprofits, and much more. Bravo!
Since then, hundreds of Ologites have collectively directed an astounding $445,000 toward combating extreme poverty and climate change, supporting 230+ of their favorite nonprofits, and much more. Bravo!
Reposted by Matt Coleman
Nice review of recent research showing that younger children start out with a more expansive moral circle than older children and adults
@juliamarshall.bsky.social, @mattiwilks.bsky.social, @karrineldner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@juliamarshall.bsky.social, @mattiwilks.bsky.social, @karrineldner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
September 9, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Nice review of recent research showing that younger children start out with a more expansive moral circle than older children and adults
@juliamarshall.bsky.social, @mattiwilks.bsky.social, @karrineldner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@juliamarshall.bsky.social, @mattiwilks.bsky.social, @karrineldner.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Fantastic new episode of @ologies.bsky.social! An insightful (and often hilarious) discussion on navigating difficult moral decisions and Josh's applied research projects for expanding the circle of "us".
Podcast: pod.link/1278815517/e...
Podcast: pod.link/1278815517/e...
Joshua Greene, Professor of Psychology @harvard.edu and GM co-founder, was interviewed for the latest @ologies.bsky.social podcast with Alie Ward.
In this "Trolleyology" episode, they discuss:
🚎 Trolley dilemmas
💝 Smart & meaningful generosity
🌉 Building bridges across political divides
(1/2)
In this "Trolleyology" episode, they discuss:
🚎 Trolley dilemmas
💝 Smart & meaningful generosity
🌉 Building bridges across political divides
(1/2)
August 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Fantastic new episode of @ologies.bsky.social! An insightful (and often hilarious) discussion on navigating difficult moral decisions and Josh's applied research projects for expanding the circle of "us".
Podcast: pod.link/1278815517/e...
Podcast: pod.link/1278815517/e...
Reposted by Matt Coleman
♻️ Giving Multiplier powers a virtuous circle of giving.
Matching funds inspire donations to highly effective charities. In turn, those donations encourage others to provide more matching funds.
This "supply-and-demand" cycle creates impact today, while sustaining our platform for the future.
Matching funds inspire donations to highly effective charities. In turn, those donations encourage others to provide more matching funds.
This "supply-and-demand" cycle creates impact today, while sustaining our platform for the future.
August 13, 2025 at 5:52 PM
♻️ Giving Multiplier powers a virtuous circle of giving.
Matching funds inspire donations to highly effective charities. In turn, those donations encourage others to provide more matching funds.
This "supply-and-demand" cycle creates impact today, while sustaining our platform for the future.
Matching funds inspire donations to highly effective charities. In turn, those donations encourage others to provide more matching funds.
This "supply-and-demand" cycle creates impact today, while sustaining our platform for the future.
People in rich countries often underestimate how wealthy they are globally.
A new study finds that a simple nudge correcting this misperception increases generosity:
escholarship.org/uc/item/0wm7...
A new study finds that a simple nudge correcting this misperception increases generosity:
escholarship.org/uc/item/0wm7...
August 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
People in rich countries often underestimate how wealthy they are globally.
A new study finds that a simple nudge correcting this misperception increases generosity:
escholarship.org/uc/item/0wm7...
A new study finds that a simple nudge correcting this misperception increases generosity:
escholarship.org/uc/item/0wm7...
Reposted by Matt Coleman
🌍 Featured super-effective charity: Clean Air Task Force (@cleanaircatf.bsky.social)
CATF works in 40+ countries driving tech & policy solutions to fight climate change, including advanced nuclear energy and next-gen geothermal.
🔗 Read their mid-year impact report: catf.us/2025/06/2025...
CATF works in 40+ countries driving tech & policy solutions to fight climate change, including advanced nuclear energy and next-gen geothermal.
🔗 Read their mid-year impact report: catf.us/2025/06/2025...
July 31, 2025 at 4:45 PM
🌍 Featured super-effective charity: Clean Air Task Force (@cleanaircatf.bsky.social)
CATF works in 40+ countries driving tech & policy solutions to fight climate change, including advanced nuclear energy and next-gen geothermal.
🔗 Read their mid-year impact report: catf.us/2025/06/2025...
CATF works in 40+ countries driving tech & policy solutions to fight climate change, including advanced nuclear energy and next-gen geothermal.
🔗 Read their mid-year impact report: catf.us/2025/06/2025...
People see giving time (volunteering) as more impactful than giving money (donating), in part because it feels more personal and connected to the self.
New paper by Samantha Kassirer and Maferima Touré-Tillery: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
New paper by Samantha Kassirer and Maferima Touré-Tillery: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
July 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
People see giving time (volunteering) as more impactful than giving money (donating), in part because it feels more personal and connected to the self.
New paper by Samantha Kassirer and Maferima Touré-Tillery: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
New paper by Samantha Kassirer and Maferima Touré-Tillery: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
"Maybe we are born with a surprisingly inclusive capacity to care, and over time, we learn to direct that concern more selectively."
New research on moral development, summarized on Substack by Lucius Caviola:
New research on moral development, summarized on Substack by Lucius Caviola:
When development constricts our moral circle
While we often assume that growing up makes us more morally inclusive, our research suggests that young children may start out with broader concern—and become more selective with age.
outpaced.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
"Maybe we are born with a surprisingly inclusive capacity to care, and over time, we learn to direct that concern more selectively."
New research on moral development, summarized on Substack by Lucius Caviola:
New research on moral development, summarized on Substack by Lucius Caviola:
Reposted by Matt Coleman
I’ve long believed that good reasoning can lead to better behaviour. But as Josh Greene and I discuss in this episode of “Lives Well Lived”, reason alone is often not enough.
Josh describes how his thinking has evolved from the hope that moral philosophy informed by psychology could change...
Josh describes how his thinking has evolved from the hope that moral philosophy informed by psychology could change...
Josh Greene on Good Reasoning
YouTube video by Peter Singer
youtube.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I’ve long believed that good reasoning can lead to better behaviour. But as Josh Greene and I discuss in this episode of “Lives Well Lived”, reason alone is often not enough.
Josh describes how his thinking has evolved from the hope that moral philosophy informed by psychology could change...
Josh describes how his thinking has evolved from the hope that moral philosophy informed by psychology could change...
Really cool new preprint: charity effectiveness information can boost donations. But framing matters.
When cost-effectiveness falls below expectations, it can backfire and actually reduce giving.
📃 papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
When cost-effectiveness falls below expectations, it can backfire and actually reduce giving.
📃 papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
May 23, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Really cool new preprint: charity effectiveness information can boost donations. But framing matters.
When cost-effectiveness falls below expectations, it can backfire and actually reduce giving.
📃 papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
When cost-effectiveness falls below expectations, it can backfire and actually reduce giving.
📃 papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Important new paper for charitable giving: the preference for charities with lower overhead ratios (i.e., "overhead aversion") can be reduced when both: a) explaining the importance of overhead and b) prompting the donor to deliberate about their choice
May 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Important new paper for charitable giving: the preference for charities with lower overhead ratios (i.e., "overhead aversion") can be reduced when both: a) explaining the importance of overhead and b) prompting the donor to deliberate about their choice
Reposted by Matt Coleman
🎉 New feature alert: monthly donations are here!
You asked, we listened.
With recurring donations on #GivingMultiplier, you can earn matching funds each month to both your favorite charity and a super-effective charity.
👉 Set up your monthly donation: GivingMultiplier.org
You asked, we listened.
With recurring donations on #GivingMultiplier, you can earn matching funds each month to both your favorite charity and a super-effective charity.
👉 Set up your monthly donation: GivingMultiplier.org
April 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
🎉 New feature alert: monthly donations are here!
You asked, we listened.
With recurring donations on #GivingMultiplier, you can earn matching funds each month to both your favorite charity and a super-effective charity.
👉 Set up your monthly donation: GivingMultiplier.org
You asked, we listened.
With recurring donations on #GivingMultiplier, you can earn matching funds each month to both your favorite charity and a super-effective charity.
👉 Set up your monthly donation: GivingMultiplier.org
"Saving a child’s life is certainly something that everybody can be extremely proud of. Guided by research on differences in cost-effectiveness, many people can do this."
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
(@ourworldindata.org)
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
(@ourworldindata.org)
"Many of us can save a child’s life, if we rely on the best data"
@maxroser.bsky.social from @ourworldindata.org highlights research by our co-founder Lucius Caviola showing how everyday donors can have extraordinary impact by giving effectively.
🔗 ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
@maxroser.bsky.social from @ourworldindata.org highlights research by our co-founder Lucius Caviola showing how everyday donors can have extraordinary impact by giving effectively.
🔗 ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
April 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
"Saving a child’s life is certainly something that everybody can be extremely proud of. Guided by research on differences in cost-effectiveness, many people can do this."
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
(@ourworldindata.org)
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
(@ourworldindata.org)
Very cool new paper: simply providing multiple donation options (vs. just one) increases charitable giving by ~20%, without reducing the number of donors.
📰 doi.org/10.1037/xap0...
📰 doi.org/10.1037/xap0...
March 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Very cool new paper: simply providing multiple donation options (vs. just one) increases charitable giving by ~20%, without reducing the number of donors.
📰 doi.org/10.1037/xap0...
📰 doi.org/10.1037/xap0...
Reposted by Matt Coleman
Featured super-effective charity: @helenkellerintl.org 💊
For under $2, their Vitamin A program can avert blindness, prevent malnutrition, & reduce mortality. Last year, Helen Keller Intl provided life-changing supplements to 43 million children in sub-Saharan Africa.
#GlobalHealth #ImpactfulGiving
For under $2, their Vitamin A program can avert blindness, prevent malnutrition, & reduce mortality. Last year, Helen Keller Intl provided life-changing supplements to 43 million children in sub-Saharan Africa.
#GlobalHealth #ImpactfulGiving
Supporting Children's Health with Vitamin A in Senegal
Vitamin A strengthens vision, prevents blindness, and builds children's immune systems to fight off illness. In Senegal, vitamin A deficiency is incredibly high. Helen Keller Intl has been working to deliver this lifesaving micronutrient to young children, allowing them to grow healthy, strong, and reach their true potential
bit.ly
March 10, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Featured super-effective charity: @helenkellerintl.org 💊
For under $2, their Vitamin A program can avert blindness, prevent malnutrition, & reduce mortality. Last year, Helen Keller Intl provided life-changing supplements to 43 million children in sub-Saharan Africa.
#GlobalHealth #ImpactfulGiving
For under $2, their Vitamin A program can avert blindness, prevent malnutrition, & reduce mortality. Last year, Helen Keller Intl provided life-changing supplements to 43 million children in sub-Saharan Africa.
#GlobalHealth #ImpactfulGiving
Reposted by Matt Coleman
Our Winter newsletter is out! ❄️
In this edition, we feature one of our super-effective charities (@helenkellerintl.bsky.social), one of our trusted expert charity evaluators (@animalcharityev.bsky.social), and provide engaging resources for learning more about high-impact charitable giving.
In this edition, we feature one of our super-effective charities (@helenkellerintl.bsky.social), one of our trusted expert charity evaluators (@animalcharityev.bsky.social), and provide engaging resources for learning more about high-impact charitable giving.
February 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Our Winter newsletter is out! ❄️
In this edition, we feature one of our super-effective charities (@helenkellerintl.bsky.social), one of our trusted expert charity evaluators (@animalcharityev.bsky.social), and provide engaging resources for learning more about high-impact charitable giving.
In this edition, we feature one of our super-effective charities (@helenkellerintl.bsky.social), one of our trusted expert charity evaluators (@animalcharityev.bsky.social), and provide engaging resources for learning more about high-impact charitable giving.
Very proud of @givingmultiplier.bsky.social's impact last year!
We surpassed $1 million in donations in 2024! 🎉
Last year, nearly 1,000 Giving Multiplier donors collectively accomplished a lot, such as providing disease-preventing treatments to tens of thousands of children, mitigating animal cruelty, and combatting extreme climate change.
Thank you!
Last year, nearly 1,000 Giving Multiplier donors collectively accomplished a lot, such as providing disease-preventing treatments to tens of thousands of children, mitigating animal cruelty, and combatting extreme climate change.
Thank you!
February 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Very proud of @givingmultiplier.bsky.social's impact last year!
Reposted by Matt Coleman
What is an important fact about the world that you wish more people would know?
Here is my answer: If we rely on the best data, many of us can save a child's life.
And here is my article about it.
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
Here is my answer: If we rely on the best data, many of us can save a child's life.
And here is my article about it.
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
Many of us can save a child’s life, if we rely on the best data
There are many ways to improve the world, but their cost-effectiveness varies immensely. You can achieve a lot more if you rely on the best data on where to donate.
ourworldindata.org
December 24, 2024 at 5:30 PM
What is an important fact about the world that you wish more people would know?
Here is my answer: If we rely on the best data, many of us can save a child's life.
And here is my article about it.
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
Here is my answer: If we rely on the best data, many of us can save a child's life.
And here is my article about it.
ourworldindata.org/cost-effecti...
𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠:
Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve felt exceedingly fortunate for the security of having my basic needs met, allowing me to freely pursue my interests. But I never really turned that gratitude into action.
Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve felt exceedingly fortunate for the security of having my basic needs met, allowing me to freely pursue my interests. But I never really turned that gratitude into action.
December 26, 2024 at 8:34 PM
𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠:
Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve felt exceedingly fortunate for the security of having my basic needs met, allowing me to freely pursue my interests. But I never really turned that gratitude into action.
Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve felt exceedingly fortunate for the security of having my basic needs met, allowing me to freely pursue my interests. But I never really turned that gratitude into action.