Anthropic announced on Sunday (18) a commitment to allocate 5% of its shares to the new Anthropic Public Benefit Fund, a structure created to finance initiatives in the public interest. The measure depends on shareholder approval and provides for the possibility of expanding this stake as the company's valuation rises.
The fund will be established as a limited liability company (LLC), wholly controlled by Anthropic, rather than a traditional charitable organization. According to the developer of Claude, this format will allow the financing of different initiatives, from donations to nonprofit entities to direct transfers of resources to certain populations.
One of the priorities mentioned is the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market. The company had already announced US$ 200 million to study and address possible consequences of the technology for workers.
Anthropic also established that shares held by the fund may not be used for lobbying activities or political contributions, in the United States or in other countries.
Stake may grow in line with Anthropic's valuation
The mechanism provides for the possibility of adding two percentage points to the fund's stake for every 50% increase in the company's valuation above a previously established reference point. The increases will not be automatic and will depend on decisions by the board of directors.
The company compared the structure to progressive equity compensation programs offered to executives at technology companies, but with the additional stake directed to public purposes.
The commitment also adds to the initiatives of the founders and employees. Since Anthropic was founded, its cofounders have made a commitment to donate 80% of their individual holdings. The company also maintains a program that complements donations of shares pledged by employees.
Considering these commitments, Anthropic estimates that approximately 20% of its shares will be tied to public benefit purposes. The percentage does not represent the new fund's stake on its own, nor does it mean that all these assets have already been transferred.
The company said it will disclose more details in the coming months about the fund's governance and the valuation parameters that could increase its stake. The financial amount actually available for distribution has not yet been specified.
