This seems like a crux “evaluating whole organizations seems harder than evaluating individuals.” I don’t think it’s even close to correct, for most small-time (say, less than 5 hours/week and $200K/year donated) philanthropists.
I believe exactly the opposite: it’s far easier to identify a reasonable number of candidate organizations than it is individuals, and far easier to pick one that’s acceptably likely to be effective. Picking exceptional individuals aligned with your philanthropic goals is really difficult and error-prone.
This seems like a crux “evaluating whole organizations seems harder than evaluating individuals.” I don’t think it’s even close to correct, for most small-time (say, less than 5 hours/week and $200K/year donated) philanthropists.
I believe exactly the opposite: it’s far easier to identify a reasonable number of candidate organizations than it is individuals, and far easier to pick one that’s acceptably likely to be effective. Picking exceptional individuals aligned with your philanthropic goals is really difficult and error-prone.
Yes, this is a crux. To a large extent, the answer to what is easier depends on what one aims to achieve with philanthropy, which varies a lot.