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7 HIGHLY EFFECTIVE CHARITIES, NO CHARGES - FIND OUT MORE
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
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
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