When explaining what GiveDirectly does, we sometimes get asked whether 100% of funds go to recipients. That’s no different than asking whether GiveDirectly has any costs. We do have costs, and think it’s best to be transparent about them.
Blog - Opinions
Candid thoughts from staff, donors, and recipients on our work and the broader movement towards cash transfers.
Opinions
End of year giving guidelines
If you’re planning to make a donation around the holidays, we’ve pulled together details below on United States tax deadlines.
Opinions
Meet Ann: A Refugee and GiveDirectly Field Officer
About 30% of GiveDirectly staff on the GiveDirectly Kiryandongo refugee team are refugees themselves. One of the field officers who was hired from the Kiryandongo settlement, Ann Chukulu, wrote about what it’s like working as a GiveDirectly field officer in her own home community.
Opinions
Reflecting on the Last Decade: 10 Things We Got Right & Wrong
These are 10 impactful things we’ve gotten right and wrong over the last decade. From these wins and misses, we’ve gleaned important learnings to help guide us in better serving recipients.
Opinions
Reflections from a trip to Kenya
One of our donors recently spent five days with our team in Kenya and shared his reflections. We found them thoughtful, candid, and insightful, and asked to republish them here. — Carlos Dominguez Context note: I work at a financial firm in NYC. This firm has an “employee philanthropy bulletin board” where people discuss their […]
Opinions
How crypto can help refugees
We have some good news to share: OmiseGO, with an additional generous contribution from Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, is donating the equivalent of $1 million USD in OMG tokens directly to refugees living in extreme poverty, and GiveDirectly will deliver those funds. The crypto economy has grown immensely over the last year, bringing a great […]
Opinions
Coats, Cash, or Aunt Carol?: Priority-setting and the purpose of donations
‘Tis the season for charitable giving, and everyone, it seems, has a request: your kid’s school wants winter coats for its annual coat drive. Your mom asks you to donate to the Cockatiel Rehabilitation Society in honor of your beloved Aunt Carol (who has volunteered there for 20 years). GiveDirectly wants you to donate so […]
Opinions
How to talk about cash like an expert
Over the years, we’ve had lots of conversations with folks about whether it’s a good idea to simply give money to people who don’t have much of it. It’s a great conversation: it gets to some pretty core issues about human nature, and (spoiler alert) there is good news to share! To help you have […]
Opinions
6th straight GiveWell recommendation
We’re thrilled to be a GiveWell recommended charity again this year. It’s the 6th year in a row that giving money directly to the poor has been rated one of the smartest bets in philanthropy. Direct giving joins a short list of other highly effective interventions atop the GiveWell list. To the other recommended charities, […]
Opinions, Uncategorized
Four questions to ask before you give
Giving effectively means asking tough questions. (We know; you all have been great about asking us some tough ones over the years.) With the holiday giving season coming up, here are the top four questions we ask before giving. Share this post and get some conversations going: Can I tell where my dollar (or pound, […]
