[Article] “How to choose where to donate” by The 80,000 Hours team

If you want to make a difference, and are not already wedded to a particular issue, what’s the best charity to donate to? Here's how to figure it out.

Narrated by AI.

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Outline:

(00:26) How to choose an effective charity

(00:30) First, plan your research

(00:44) If you trust someone else's recommendations, you can defer to them.

(01:32) Consider entering a donor lottery.

(02:37) If you’re going to do your own research, decide how much you should do.

(04:01) Second, choose an effective charity

(04:11) 1. Decide which global problems you think are most pressing right now.

(04:36) 2. Find the best organisations within your top 2–3 problem areas.

(05:36) 3. If you have to break a tie, choose the one that's furthest from meeting its funding needs.

(06:21) Learn more about how to find effective charities

(07:12) What about specific charities?

(07:42) Donating to expert-led funds rather than directly to charities

(09:15) Topping up grants from other donors you broadly agree with

(09:34) Topping up Open Philanthropy

(11:00) Our top-priority areas

(11:22) Other focus areas we’ve investigated

(11:43) Focus areas we know less about

(12:11) Reading the research conducted by other informed donors

(13:23) Should you give now or later?

(13:43) How should you handle taxes and giving?

(14:10) Next steps

The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration.

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First published:
November 9th, 2016

Last updated:
December 21st, 2022

Source:
https://80000hours.org/articles/best-charity

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.