Hello, and welcome to our September newsletter!
A big thank you to everyone who wrote in after our July edition! I loved hearing your ideas and thoughtful questions — please keep them coming.
One question came up often: how should we think about crises like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine when we want our donations to do the most good? These conflicts are heartbreaking and dominate the news. It’s natural to want to respond.
Humanitarian aid in these contexts is vital, but it’s also hard to evaluate and extremely costly. When I was in Somalia managing the UN’s response to El Niño flooding in 2023-2024, we operated 14 helicopters for months, each flight costing over $10,000. We flew several missions per helicopter each day, delivering supplies. It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked, but when I reflected, I knew that in other areas, the funds we were using could go much further.
For example, around 15,000 children die every day from preventable diseases like malaria. We can save a child’s life for roughly $3,000–$5,000, with trusted organisations like the Against Malaria Foundation doing just this! But sadly, these interventions remain seriously underfunded – because they aren’t hitting the headlines.So what’s the solution? I think it’s complex, and value-dependent. Some may feel the most compassionate choice is to give where impact is clear and outsized, especially when it’s uncertain how much emergency aid will reach those in need. Others may feel it’s worth trying anyway, given the dire circumstances and the very real injustices.
If you find these decisions hard, you’re not alone. I certainly do too.
Personally, I use three “buckets” for my spending (an idea from this paper by Prof. Paul Smeets): one for myself and loved ones, one for causes I care about even if impact is uncertain, and one — my 10% Pledge — for the most effective charities I know.
I find that this balance helps me give with head and heart.
(By the way, if the 3-bucket approach resonates, you might also be interested in using Giving Multiplier for bucket 2 – it’ll match donations to your personal “favorite” charity with something more impact-driven.)
The Humane League shares what your donations have made possible:
About this feature:
When we asked for your feedback on our newsletter last month, many of you responded that you’d like to hear more about the impact we’re driving as a community. We hear you and in short, it’s epic!
Watch out for future editions of this newsletter where we’ll share even more about our impact as a community.
For now, we wanted to share the short video above from one of the organisations you can support through our donation platform: The Humane League, showing what Giving What We Can donors have achieved together.
Here are some of our favourite responses from people who took a 🔸10% Pledge or 🔹Trial Pledge last month:
🔸 It’s the antidote to apathy. - Gina Williams from the US 🇺🇸
🔸 Because I want to effectively contribute to reducing the suffering that non-human animals endure in their lives. -Valentina Verasay from Chile 🇨🇱
🔸 Because there is enormous suffering, yet so many opportunities to make the world better! -Jim Maar from Germany 🇩🇪
🔹 I consider it the very least I can do to give back to the community. I feel privileged to be in a good place economically and socially, and I want to share it with others, especially those who are in need. -Devyani Lambhate from India 🇮🇳
🔹 Suffering is real and avoidable, and well-being is real and attainable! - Isaac Smalley from the US 🇺🇸
🔹 So I could donate regularly. -Elena Ciobanu from Moldova 🇲🇩
Oct 7th, Oxford Martin School (University of Oxford), 6-6:45 PM BST, 34 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BD
Attend the book launch of Death in a Shallow Pond: A Philosopher, a Drowning Child, and Strangers in Need by David Edmonds (Distinguished Research Fellow at the Oxford Uehiro Institute) in Oxford. David will be in conversation with Professor Roger Crisp. This event is followed by a drinks reception. Register here.
EAGx conferences are great opportunities to learn from and connect with others interested in having a positive impact on the world. Read more about each conference via the links below.
(News from evaluators, grantmakers, and incubators that relates to global health, animal welfare, or global catastrophic risk reduction is now included in the “Cause Area News” section above!)
Tag us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok and stay connected with us for more news and updates.
Do you have any feedback on our newsletter or communications? Share your thoughts here.
Do you have questions about the pledge, Giving What We Can, or effective giving in general? Check out our FAQ page, or contact us directly.