For those unfamiliar, GiveWell is a charity evaluator dedicated to finding outstanding giving opportunities by carefully assessing evidence to help donors decide where to give. GiveWell funds charities that they believe save or improve lives most cost-effectively. They do this by assigning ‘moral weights’ to specific outcomes based on the subjective judgments from staff, donors, […]
Blog
Candid thoughts from staff, donors, and recipients on our work and the broader movement towards cash transfers.
Operations
How GiveDirectly prevents, addresses, and reports risks
If you believe you’ve observed GiveDirectly staff, volunteers, vendors, contractors, or partners engaging in misconduct (including fraud, harassment, discrimination, or any other form of unethical behavior), please file a report to whistleblower@givedirectly.org or to our third-party whistleblowing portal here→ We’re improving how we report to you on risks Giving cash directly is a proven and dignified way to […]
Operations
Which U.S. cash programs work the best? We don’t know yet.
Giving cash directly to people in poverty is proven to help. Our research increasingly focuses on testing the impact of different cash designs by varying how much, how often, and when people receive cash. For example, a first-of-its-kind study found the impact of delivering the same amount of cash to Kenyans in poverty is significantly […]
Donation Info
Charitable Donation Deadlines for 2024
If you’re planning to make a donation around the holidays, we’ve pulled together details below on United States tax deadlines.
Opinions
Direct cash model offers lesson in leadership & humility
When I was put in charge of the UK’s $20 billion global aid budget, it was easy to imagine I had “power.” I was a Secretary of State, appointed by the Queen. I had people working for me all over the world. Every day, I was asked whether I wanted to put $100 million into […]
Operations
GiveDirectly pursues greater impact as Nick Allardice joins as President & CEO
GiveDirectly has been a major player in scaling the use of unconditional cash transfers, helping build consensus among the international community that direct cash is a key component to tackling extreme poverty. Now, as we near $1 billion delivered, we’ve appointed Nick Allardice as President and CEO to lead this next phase of growth. GiveDirectly […]
Opinions, Research
What we make of null and negative results from U.S. cash programs
Yolanda spent some of the monthly cash she receives through GiveDirectly’s program in Cook County, Illinois on a trip to the zoo with her grandson. “It felt good because that payment helps me be able to do those things,” she said. “So I don’t have to say to my grandson, ‘Oh, we can’t do that […]
Operations
GiveDirectly’s approach to responsible AI/ML
We use big data and AI to swiftly and accurately deliver cash relief to people in need GiveDirectly has leveraged big data and artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning (ML)1, to identify and deliver cash directly to people in need 4-8x faster and with improved accuracy. This has proven particularly useful for delivering cash relief […]
Recipients
MrBeast gives $200,000 directly to people in poverty
Beast Philanthropy donated $200,000 to Ugandans living in extreme poverty through GiveDirectly Beast Philanthropy is a nonprofit YouTube channel that funds and films charitable acts, putting the ad revenue from their popular videos towards their next projects. They feature MrBeast aka Jimmy Donaldson, the most watched person on Earth with over 600 million followers across […]
Research
Survey: fewer people support direct cash transfers than you may think
In May, GiveDirectly ran a panel survey of 750 Americans who fit our common donor profile to better understand their familiarity and sentiments around direct cash. Below, we outline the most relevant findings and how they’ll inform our communications and marketing strategy. Note: we’ll continue to update this blog as we further analyze the survey […]