The Library

Giving is driven by intensely personal attitudes. In the digital age we are blessed with access to vast amounts of information. On this page we list some resources that we have found helpful. Please let us know about any potential additions.

Videos

Giving cash directly to the poor: Joy Sun explains why she helped to launch GiveDirectly - a charity that simply gives away money

The Generosity Experiment: Sasha Dichter of the Acumen Fund explains why he spent a month saying Yes to every request

The Why and How of Effective Giving: Peter Singer explains how to balance your emotional drivers against the evidence of where your giving can have the most impact

This is what the law can do: ClientEarth explains how the power of law can help to solve the climate crisis

Water Bear: Interactive streaming platform with high quality story telling videos dedicated to the future of our planet

Books

Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and a Radical New Way to Make a Difference: by William Macaskill

It Ain't What You Give, It's The Way that You Give It: by Caroline Fiennes

The Most Good You can Do: How Effective Altruism is Changing Ideas about Living Ethically: by Peter Singer

Winners take all - the elite charade of changing the world: by Anand Giridharadas

Research

100x More Effective: Research by Global Returns Project comparing effectiveness of charities in tackling climate crisis

All the Lonely People: Loneliness in Later Life by Age UK : This report helps explain the circumstances associated with feeling lonely and what is known to work in supporting people to tackle feelings of persistent loneliness

Better Giving Studio: The Better Giving Studio is an initiative by the Gates foundation to share donor behavior research, spotlight innovative ideas, and support product development in collaboration with charitable giving platforms

Blue Carbon in the UK: To coincide with COP26, Blue Marine Foundation and the University of Exeter published a report in March 2022 that calls for evidence, trust, and transparency in the emerging field of blue carbon

Center for Theory of Change: - explanation of theory of change

Centre for Effective Altruism: CEA is a registered UK charity founded by Will McAskill and others to help disseminate the ideas expounded in his excellent book.

Charities & Administration costs: - report by Caroline Fiennes suggesting that charities spending more on overheads achieve more

Crisis Research: Multiple articles on homelessness

Effective Altruism Forum: All the posts on the Effective Altruism Forum (US)

EU Geological CO2 Storage Summary: A summary of the EU Geological CO2 storage potential based on the most recent European assessment

Examining the Current Policy Landscape of Carbon Management in Europe: Policy paper on why carbon management is a catalyst in meeting the climate challenge

Financial Tracking Service: provides data on the current state of funding of international humanitarian projects

Founders Pledge: is a global community of entrepreneurs finding and funding solutions to the world’s most pressing problems

Funding Trends 2021: Climate change mitigation philanthropy: Annual update by Climate Works on trends in philanthropic funding aimed at mitigating climate change

GiveWell: US site with short list of charities mainly in the developing world with evidence of impact

Guidance for successful tree planting initiatives: An objective look at how to create a successful tree planting programme

Homeless Link: Website with research into homelessness

Measuring and Mitigating Child Hunger in the UK by The Social Market Foundation: This report provides initial findings on the level of food insecurity children in the UK are experiencing, as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on this insecurity

Microfinance misses its mark: Stanford Social Innovation review looks at the pluses and minuses of microfinance

Navigating the changing landscape of climate philanthropy: Research by Founders Pledge into which climate focused interventions are likely to be most effective

Open Philanthropy: Extensive source of research and charity recommendations (mainly US)

Planting trees can be one tool to fight climate change - if we do it right: Research illustrating the pitfalls and benefits of tree planting

Project Drawdown: Leading resource for climate solutions

Prospects for the true cost accounting of food systems: Evaluating food systems in a holistic way is paramount to their transformation. Recent initiatives show how true cost accounting can help achieve that transformation at policy, product, organisational, farm, and investment levels

Radical Empathy: An explanation of why we intuitively value interventions close to home more highly than those affecting people in distant lands that we will never meet and why that is not appropriate

Research Briefing: Youth Jobs Gap - Establishing the Employment Gap by Impetus: Published in April 2019, this report establishes an employment gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their better-off peers

The Impact of COVID-19 Prison Lockdowns on Children by Dr Shona Minson: This report, drawing on research undertaken during the first national lockdown in the UK in 2020, highlights the issues faced by children whose parent was in prison during this time

What makes a good charity?: by New Philanthropy Capital

What role can forests play in tackling climate change: Research by Imperial College into impact of trees

Donor Advisers

Charities Aid Foundation: - the largest provider of charity accounts in the UK including Donor Advised Funds

I.G.Advisors: - consultancy that bridges the gap between fundraisers, businesses and philanthropists

Philanthropy Impact: - useful online resources mainly aimed at helping financial advisers

Prism the Gift Fund: - providers of Donor Advised Funds, can also advise on charity selection and administer foundations.

The Giving Department: - founded by Steve Wickham, advises family offices and several major grant makers and corporates on philanthropy selection

The Life You Can Save: Peter Singer's website with recommendations for charities with effective programmes (US focus). Also see book & TED talk).

Donor Platforms

Global Returns Project: - curated list of environmental charities

The Big Give: - UK leaders for online matched giving campaigns

The Funding Network: - hold regular group meetings (virtual or physical) at which three small charities pitch for funding. Founded by Fred Mulder CBE

Tythe: - curated portfolio of charities with focus on the environment and climate change

WhatImpact: - knowledge sharing, resource sharing and connectivity between donors and charities or social enterprises

Volunteering

Investors in Community: Site with UK volunteering opportunities

NCVO: This NCVO webpage has some useful information and links to external sources of volunteering opportunities.

Reach Volunteering: - UK based site that connects people with at least 3 years professional experience.

Volunteer Match: - Site that facilitates micro volunteering.

Posts by Giving is Great

Education News

October 10, 2022

The Library

Videos

Books

Research

Donor Advisers

Donor Platforms

Volunteering

Posts by Giving is Great

How much of my donation actually goes to charity?

What are the tax benefits of donating to charity?

Carbon Offsets alone are not enough

Which areas of philanthropy are most effective?

Running out of time to save our planet

What is the Disasters Emergency Committee?

EQ Foundation named as Money Marketing Charity Champion of the Year

Effective charities achieve 100x more impact

So you want to volunteer?

Tythe creates Climate Action Charity Portfolio

Top Tips

Pros and Cons of Matched Giving

Making charitable bequests in Wills

Tythe launches with Environmental charity focus

What is Effective Altruism?

Why we rate For Baby’s Sake

The Big Give breaks record (again)

Advent of Change keeps on impressing

How to become a Philanthropist

How We Select Charities