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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.

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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
What are the most important moral problems of our time: Engaging TED talk by Will Mcaskill
Books
Research
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
Asylum Statistics: House of Commons report, September 2023
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
Catalyst: Catalyst is a UK-based charitable initiative that has been incubated by CAST (Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology). They focus on supporting charitable organisations in adopting digital technologies and leveraging them to enhance their impact
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.
Centre for Social Justice: UK think tank that addresses social issues, including those related to criminal justice.
Charities & Administration costs: - report by Caroline Fiennes suggesting that charities spending more on overheads achieve more
Charity Times: Charity Times is a UK-based media organisation that provides news, information, and resources for the charity sector. It serves as a platform for disseminating news, insights, and best practices relevant to charities and nonprofit organisations in the United Kingdom
Civil Society Media: Civil Society Media is a UK-based media organisation that focuses on providing news, information, and resources for the nonprofit, charity, and civil society sectors.
Commentary on Obesity Statistics - May 2023: Official Statistics report
Copernicus: Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space programme
Crisis Research: Multiple articles on homelessness
Dementia Statistics Hub: Research collated by Alzheimer's Research UK
Disability Facts and Figures: Report by the charity Scope
Effective Altruism Forum: All the posts on the Effective Altruism Forum (US)
Encouraging results on depression from psilocybin trials: A clinical trial by Johns Hopkins on the active ingredient of LSD suggests that it is a promising therapeutic approach
EU Aid Explorer: Research tool for information on EU funding for the developing world
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
Factory Farming: What it is and Why it's a Problem: Report by The Humane League
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
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
How International Aid can do more Harm than Good: Research by the London School for Economics
Industrial Farming is One of the Worst Crimes in History: Article from the Guardian newspaper
Institute for Crime and Policy Research: Produces academically grounded, policy oriented research on justice
Is Obesity Policy Fit for Purpose?: Report by Dolly Theis & Martin White
IUFRO Report on 10 years of REDD+: A detailed assessment of the REDD+ scheme that attempts to measure deforestation
King's College London LGBTQ+ Mental Health research Group: Investigating factors that contribute to the mental health of the community
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
Mental Health Statistics: House of Commons Library report
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
Nuffield Trust Review of IAPT: Brief review of effectiveness of NHS Talking Therapies
Off the Scales: Report by the CSJ into Obesity Causes & Solutions
Open Philanthropy: Extensive source of research and charity recommendations (mainly US)
PeTA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - US non-profit
Planting trees can be one tool to fight climate change - if we do it right: Research illustrating the pitfalls and benefits of tree planting
Prisons Research Centre: Research facility within the university of Cambridge
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
Rainbow Britain: Review of changes in UK society by charity Stonewall
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
Tackling Obesity: Report by the Institute for Government into Obesity Causes & Solutions
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
The Prison Reform Trust: Numerous independent and research publications
Third Sector: Third Sector is a UK-based media organisation that provides news, analysis, and resources for professionals working in the nonprofit and charity sector. It serves as a platform for information exchange, offering insights into the latest developments, trends, and best practices within the third sector.
UCL Dementia Research Centre: Hub for patient centred research into dementia
UK Aid: Spending reductions since 2020 and outlook from 2023: House of Commons report
UK Dementia Research Institute: Leading biomedical research insdtitute, largely funded by UKRI Medical Research Institute
UK Disability Statistics: Prevalence and Life Experiences: House of Commons August 2023 report
UK Overseas Aid Spending: House of Lords report December, 2022
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
World Bank Refugee Population: Refugee populations by country of asylum
Donor Advisers
Candid: Candid is a nonprofit that provides comprehensive data and insights about the social sector
Charities Aid Foundation: - the largest provider of charity accounts in the UK including Donor Advised Funds
Charity Excellence: Charity Excellence is an online platform that provides support and resources for charitable organisations in the United Kingdom. The organisation focuses on helping charities improve their efficiency, effectiveness, and overall impact
Charity Navigator: Charity Navigator is a platform that evaluates the financial health and accountability of charitable organisations
Charizone: Charizone use data to inform donors philanthropic decisions
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 Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF): The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) is a UK-based membership organisation that represents and supports charitable foundations and grant-making charities. ACF provides a platform for foundations to collaborate, share knowledge, and advocate for issues relevant to their work.
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.
Collaboration Groups
Animal Aid: Non-orofit organisation dedicated preventing animals being harmed for human gain
ASPCA: American charity focused on protecting animasls from cruelty
Clinks: Clinks is an organisation that supports charities working with offenders and their families in the UK. They provide resources, research, and support for organisations in the criminal justice sector.
Websites
Depression: Explanation and insights by Mental Health Foundation
Collaboration Groups
Environmental Funders Network (EFN): EFN is a network of trusts and foundations that support environmental causes. Their website offers insights into funding trends, key issues, and a directory of funders dedicated to environmental initiatives
Foundations: Foundations is an independent charity that works to improve outcomes for children through the promotion of effective early intervention. Their website offers research, tools, and resources for those involved in early years services
Government Agencys
Justice DataLab: MoJ agency providing free independent evaluation of reoffending data
NHS England: Services for mental health issues
Collaboration Groups
The Beacon Collaborative: The Beacon Collaborative is a consultancy and advisory organisation that focuses on providing support and strategic guidance to charitable organisations, particularly in the areas of fundraising and philanthropy
Government Agencys
The Environment Agency: Governmental agency focuses on environmental protection and sustainability in England & Wales
Collaboration Groups
The Obesity Health Alliance: A coalition of 50 health organisations that are advocating policy changes
Posts by Giving is Great
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