These are evidence-backed, thoroughly vetted, underfunded organizations. We discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of these organizations in this post. We discuss our process for reaching these recommendations here. Our ranking of organizations is based on our belief in the value of filling their remaining funding gaps, which derives from the overall quality and cost-effectiveness of the organization's work, as well as what additional funding will enable the organization to do. More details in this post. |
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#1 Against Malaria Foundation |
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Preventing deaths from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa | |
Malaria is a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 1 million people – mostly children – die from malaria each year. Insecticide-treated bed nets prevent deaths and many other non-fatal cases of malaria and are relatively inexpensive – about $5 per net. (For more details, see our full report on bed nets.) We believe that AMF effectively expands access to bed nets. More. | |
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#2 Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) |
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Treating people for parasite infections in sub-Saharan Africa | |
SCI supports programs that treat people for parasitic worm infections that cause short-term symptoms such as anemia, and may cause longer-term developmental problems. These worms are extremely inexpensive to treat. (For more, see our full report on deworming.) We believe that SCI cost-effectively expands access to deworming treatment. More. | |
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#3 Deworm the World Initiative (led by Evidence Action) |
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Treating children for parasite infections in developing countries | |
The Deworm the World Initiative, led by Evidence Action, supports programs that treat children for parasitic worm infections that cause short-term symptoms such as anemia, and may cause longer-term developmental problems. These worms are extremely inexpensive to treat. (For more, see our full report on deworming.) Deworm the World focuses on advocacy and technical assistance to governments providing deworming, and we believe that it cost-effectively increases the number of children receiving deworming treatment. More. | |
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#4 GiveDirectly |
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Distributing cash to very poor individuals in Kenya and Uganda | |
Directly transferring money to poor individuals allows them to purchase that which they believe will help them most. Strong evidence indicates that cash transfers lead recipients to spend more on their basic needs (such as food) and may allow recipients to make investments with high returns, with no evidence of large increases in spending on items like alcohol or tobacco. (For more, see our full report on cash transfers.) We believe that GiveDirectly effectively distributes cash to extremely low-income individuals. More. | |
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Development Media International (DMI) | |
Producing mass media to promote improved health behaviors in developing countries | |
DMI produces radio and television broadcasts in developing countries that encourage people to adopt improved health practices. Preliminary results from a randomized controlled trial indicate large increases in promoted behaviors. | |
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Iodine Global Network (IGN), formerly ICCIDD | |
Aiding salt iodization programs in developing countries | |
Iodine deficiency, which remains common in the developing world, harms cognitive development. Fortifying salt with iodine successfully alleviates this problem. (For more, see our full report on salt iodization.) IGN aims to reduce iodine deficiency globally by advocating for national salt iodization programs, tracking progress on iodization, and providing global and country-specific guidance on related programmatic and scientific issues. | |
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The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) - Universal Salt Iodization (USI) program | |
Aiding salt iodization programs in developing countries | |
Iodine deficiency, which remains common in the developing world, harms cognitive development. Fortifying salt with iodine successfully alleviates this problem. (For more, see our full report on salt iodization.) GAIN’s USI activities vary considerably across countries and include advocacy, technical assistance, supplying equipment, training government officials and salt producers, and monitoring, among others. | |
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Living Goods | |
Supporting a network of community health promoters in Uganda | |
Living Goods sells health products door-to-door and provides basic health counseling in sub-Saharan Africa. A randomized controlled trial measured a 25% reduction in childhood mortality as a result of its program. | |
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Our recommendation takes into account the grants we have recommended to Good Ventures and charities’ other sources of funds. We recommend charities according to how much good additional donations can do.
More details in this post.