Manifund Hires Caroline Ellison Amid Legal Battle with FTX

Manifund, a charity focused on AI and effective altruism, is facing scrutiny after hiring Caroline Ellison. Ellison is the former CEO of Alameda Research who served prison time following the collapse of the FTX exchange. The decision to bring her onto the team comes while Manifund remains involved in a legal dispute with the FTX bankruptcy estate.

The conflict centers on a 2022 grant that Manifund received from the FTX Future Fund. FTX bankruptcy lawyers initially sued for the return of $500,000. That figure has since grown to $1.5 million in an amended complaint filed in 2025. Manifund continues to hold onto the funds while defending its position in court.

Austin Chen, the founder of Manifund, has defended the hiring of Ellison on public forums. He argues that people deserve a chance to move forward after serving their sentences. However, critics within the effective altruism community are questioning the decision. Many feel the move reflects poorly on the organization, especially given its ongoing financial obligations to the creditors of FTX.

As the legal battle continues, observers are watching to see if this controversy impacts the future of Manifund. The organization has distributed nearly $20 million in grants across 500 projects, but this latest development brings significant negative attention to its leadership choices.