Donate to high-impact, cost-effective charities—backed by evidence and analysis
Last updated: August 2022
Give Effectively
Give to cost-effective, evidence-backed charities
We search for charities that save or improve lives the most per dollar. These are the best we’ve found. Supported by 30,000+ hours of research annually.(1)
Donate based on evidence—not marketing
Even well-meaning charities can fail to have impact. We provide evidence-backed analysis of effectiveness.
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We grant from our Maximum Impact Fund to the charities where we believe donations will help the most. Either way, we take zero fees.
Charity 1 of 4
Medicine to prevent malaria
Overview
Malaria kills over 400,000 people annually, mostly children under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa.(2) Seasonal malaria chemoprevention is preventive medicine that saves children’s lives. It is given during the four months of the year when malaria infection rates are especially high.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS
About $7 to protect a child from malaria.(3) In 2021, we directed funding to the Malaria Consortium to support this program at an estimated average cost-effectiveness of $5,000 per life saved.(4) We expect cost-effectiveness to decrease as the highest-priority funding opportunities are funded.
Compare to most charities’ programs
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT
Exceptionally strong. Many high-quality studies of seasonal malaria chemoprevention have consistently found strong impact. The organization we recommend conducts high-quality ongoing monitoring.
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Charity 2 of 4
Nets to prevent malaria
OVERVIEW
Malaria kills over 400,000 people annually, mostly children under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa.(5) Nets save lives. Participants hang the nets and sleep under them so they are not bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS
About $5 to provide one net.(6) In 2021, we directed funding to the Against Malaria Foundation to support this program at an estimated average cost-effectiveness of $5,500 per life saved.(7) We expect cost-effectiveness to decrease as the highest-priority funding opportunities are funded.
Compare to most charities’ programs
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT
Exceptionally strong. Many high-quality studies of nets have consistently found strong impact. The organization we recommend conducts high-quality ongoing monitoring.
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Charity 3 of 4
Supplements to prevent vitamin A deficiency
OVERVIEW
Vitamin A deficiency leaves children vulnerable to infections and can lead to death. We attribute over 200,000 children's deaths to vitamin A deficiency each year.(8) This program saves lives by providing vitamin A supplements to children under 5 years old.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS
About $1 to deliver a vitamin A supplement.(9) In 2021, we directed funding to Helen Keller International to support this program at an estimated average cost-effectiveness of $3,500 per life saved.(10) We expect cost-effectiveness to decrease as the highest-priority funding opportunities are funded.
Compare to most charities’ programs
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT
Very strong. Many high-quality studies of vitamin A supplementation show strong impact. The organization we recommend conducts high-quality ongoing monitoring.
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Charity 4 of 4
Cash incentives for routine childhood vaccines
OVERVIEW
In Nigeria, 43% of infants did not receive all recommended childhood vaccines in 2019.(11) This program provides cash transfers to incentivize caregivers to bring babies to clinics for routine childhood vaccinations. It operates in North West Nigeria.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS
About $160 to vaccinate an infant.(12) In 2020, we directed funding to New Incentives to support this program at an estimated average cost-effectiveness of $5,000 per life saved.(13) We expect cost-effectiveness to decrease as the highest-priority funding opportunities are funded.
Compare to most charities’ programs
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT
Very strong. A high-quality study of New Incentives' program found strong impact. New Incentives conducts high-quality ongoing monitoring..
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TOP ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS AREA
GiveWell's Maximum Impact Fund
This is the best fit for donors who want to maximize their impact. We take zero fees and use our most up-to-date research to grant your gift where we believe it will help the most.
We typically grant this pool of funds to one or more of our recommended charities each quarter. Once we grant your donation, we’ll email you to let you know which charity or charities we selected and what we expect your donation will accomplish.
You can find more information about the Maximum Impact Fund, including a list of past distributions, here.