Why we give directly to GiveDirectly

Benckiser Stiftung Zukunft, a forward-thinking German philanthropy, was looking for ways of giving that were efficient, effective, based in evidence, and had “the potential to improve the future of aid overall.” After visiting us in New York and Uganda, they decided to give directly, in addition to funding a randomized controlled trial to gather further […]

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GiveDirectly, as told by BostWiki

“Part of charity is learning how to imagine other people complexly… that receivers of charity are real people too, and often smart, thoughtful people just like us.” One of our supporters, BostWiki, made a video explaining why he chooses to give directly, and why cash transfers make sense. Watch his video below, or here.

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A great time to join

GiveDirectly’s new domestic Chief Operating Officer, Ian Bassin, writes to introduce himself and why he joined: Last week, I joined GiveDirectly as our domestic COO – gratefully at a moment with tremendous potential for the work we can do together. I joined because, at root, I know that my winning a birth lottery is all […]

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Why I give directly: Service at the local level

Stewart Bainum Jr. is the Chairman of the Board for Choice Hotels International. He was the CEO of Manor Care, Inc. from 1987 to 1998 and has served on various boards including the UCLA Anderson Board of Visitors and the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins University. Last month Stewart visited GiveDirectly’s operations in Western […]

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GiveWell recommends GiveDirectly (again), and benchmarks others against cash

For the fourth consecutive year GiveWell has named us one of their top-rated charities of 2015. GiveWell also rated GiveDirectly strongest on all aspects of organizational performance, including on “transparency and communication,” “robustness of the case for impact,” and “room for more funding.” Perhaps most significantly, Givewell has adopted cash transfers as a benchmark (or […]

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In their own words: Lifted up from the grassroots

Last month, I traveled to Kenya where I had the opportunity to speak with recipients who had received GiveDirectly cash transfers. After a long car ride from Kisumu to Siaya County, my colleague Cindy and I made it to the village where six randomly chosen GiveDirectly recipients lived. At the village center, Cindy, who speaks […]

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In their own words: Selestina, Maureen, and Beatrice

Following the delivery of their first lump-sum payment, our follow-up team spoke to Selestina, Maureen, and Beatrice about how they spent their transfers and about how their lives have changed after receiving them. Both Selestina and Beatrice speak about the work and worry required to maintain a house. Purchasing a metal roof, as they have […]

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