Stay up to date with Giving What We Can's blog. Featuring the latest news about our community, how to donate effectively, charity evaluation, community events and more!

Blog

Giving What We Can's blog, featuring the latest news from our community.

Donate

Pledge

footerNavigation

About us

Contact us

Our team

Our values

Our members

Our events

Transparency

Our mistakes

Our impact

Donate to Giving What We Can

Careers

Leave feedback or make a complaint

About

Our best charities

Take a giving pledge

Get involved

Make a bequest

Videos, books, podcasts

FAQs

Learn more

Press kit

Media coverage

Case studies: People who pledge to give

Media

Footer Navigation

Make your donation go further this Giving Season

topNavigation

Our research team’s 2026 recommendations

How we choose which charities to recommend

Other places to donate

Create a fundraiser

Best charities

The 10% Pledge

The Trial Pledge

Pledging vs. donating

View all pledgers

Share your pledge to inspire others

Giving pledges

About our research

Browse our guides and resources

Connect with our community

Read our blog

Help others discover effective giving

Research and resources

Who we are & what we do

Our structure

Mistakes

Top Navigation

Alana Horowitz Friedman

Adapting the Pledge to your goals & values 

We often get asked very specific questions about how to calculate a 

. For example - should you count monetary gifts (such as from family members) as part of your income or just your salary? Or, if you gave 8% one year and plan to give 12% the next to “make up” for the missing 2%, do you need to factor in inflation and actually give 

Our response to these types of inquiries is more or less a version of “it’s up to you.”

This isn’t because we don’t take the commitment aspect of the pledge seriously — rather, we believe that people’s circumstances differ enough that coming up with very complicated, specific guidelines that attempt to address every possible scenario is not a good use of our efforts and would increase barriers to pledging by making it overly confusing.

Instead, we encourage our members to follow the 

 of the 10% Pledge, which is to make a significant and sustainable commitment to give at minimum roughly 10% of what you consider your income (and we’ve offered 

a bit of guidance on pre-tax vs post-tax here

A benefit of this is that it encourages a lot of interesting and unique approaches to pledging. We wrote previously about 10% Pledger Philip Popien’s 

 where he decided to start at 10% of income and then gradually increased his percentage in line with changes in his salary, resulting in a 27.5% pledge seven years in.

Today, we’re spotlighting two other unique approaches to pledging — one that fits the pledge into the Financial Independence (FI) timeline and one that offers a way to transition from a Trial Pledge to a 10% Pledge simply by reinvesting tax benefits.

Pursuing FI & a Giving Pledge Simultaneously

, Odin Mühlenbein, who took the pledge in November 2024, reached out to share another way of gradually increasing donations: aligning the increases not with salary bumps but with milestones on the road to financial independence, a goal he is also pursuing.

“FI means that the income from your wealth can cover your living costs, which makes working for money optional,” explains Odin. “It’s a way to live in line with your values, because you’re not dependent on whatever company you happen to work for — you no longer need to worry about leaving an organization that behaves in ways that you don’t support.”

While many people pursue FI to make big changes in their life – such as switching to a job with purpose or having more time for family, hobbies, and volunteering – Odin stressed that his motivation is different. 

He’s not using FI as a path to early retirement; he believes that his work is impactful, and he finds it deeply satisfying, so he has no plans to stop working even when he no longer depends on the income. Instead, he sees FI as a way to make it easier to be morally ambitious, even in light of human weakness.

Odin plans to work up to donating at least 30% of income, as well as donating most of the accumulated wealth (with interest) when he dies.

In other words, while some might see FI and the pledge as opposing goals, he sees them as very much linked. He explains: “I accept that given societal norms and my socialization, donating large portions of wealth and income will be hard. I don't trust myself to do something hard over a very long period of time. With this approach, once I donate over 30% of my income and my ego starts feeling uncomfortable about it, financial independence provides a powerful response: ‘Breathe! We have enough to live in comforts and luxury that people in other parts of the world or 100 years ago could only dream of – forever and without ever having to work again. What more could we possibly want?!’

Here’s Odin’s approach to pledging while pursuing FI:

I link my donations to milestones on the road to financial independence. Based on a rule of thumb in the FI community, you reach financial independence when you have 25-30 times your yearly expenses (

). For example, if you spend $30,000 per year, you need $750,000 - $900,000 to sustain your lifestyle without ever having to work aga

Re-donating tax benefits to transform a 5% Pledge into a 10% Pledge

, takes another approach to gradually ramping up donations: re-donating the tax benefits received. While he’s yet to formally take a giving pledge, he reached out to share his idea, as he thought it could make it easier for people to donate a significant portion of their income. Here’s his proposed approach: 

 Each year, the donor contributes 5% of their net income (at least €1,000 in the first year).

 The tax deductions obtained from the initial donation are reinvested as an additional donation in the following year, amplifying the overall impact.

 Over the years, this process enables the total donated amount to approach or even exceed the goal of donating 10% of annual income, achieving a substantial philanthropic impact.

Granted, this approach may take shorter or longer depending on your country’s tax system and tax benefits. In Spain, where Jesus lives, donations to charitable organizations offer significant tax benefits: 

80% deduction on the first €250 donated

. This makes the tax system a key ally, and is useful for any donor:

“By reframing tax deductions as additional funds that should be reinvested, we reinforce the idea of a virtuous cycle in philanthropy. Each donor becomes a sort of social investor who, rather than seeking a financial return, gains a dividend of impact upon seeing their contribution grow within the NGO of their choice,” Jesus told us. 

Jesus has used this “Donate, Deduct, Re-donate, Repeat” cycle himself and thinks it has huge potential to increase a donor’s impact:

So if you live in a country that offers significant tax benefits for donations, consider starting with 5% of your income, and then re-donating the tax benefits. Over the years, you should be able to gradually work up to donating 10%, without feeling like you’ve increased your contributions by that much.

Do you also have a unique approach to the Pledge that could be helpful to others? 

Adapting the Pledge to Your Goals & Values 

James Rayton

What can you do about Trump's defunding of global health programs & foreign aid? 

Trump's WHO Withdrawal: Head in the Sand, or Time to Act?

, who previously worked as a UN contractor and has a background in leading development and humanitarian teams, shares his thoughts about the US's withdrawal from the World Health Organisation, and what you can do about it. Since the time of writing, Trump has suspended foreign aid and pulled federal support for nonprofits, making individual action even more pressing. 

While it’s not a substitute for government, I strongly believe ordinary individuals can play a vital role in filling aid gaps. This is especially important when governments can't — or won't — act.

- James Rayton, Head of Community at Giving What We Can and former UN contractor

In early 2024, I was based in Somalia, managing the UN’s response to El Niño flooding, which had displaced over 2 million people. Flooding reduces people’s ability to access clean water, which in turn leads to increases in cholera. In Somalia by the end of the flooding, over 13,000 cases had been reported and 122 people had died from the disease. It was my job to co-ordinate our response to the crisis, helping agencies such as UNICEF decide where the needs were most pressing and how to best deliver aid. This job would have been nearly impossible without the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) monitoring and surveillance work, its expertise, and the material resources it provided, like oral rehydration therapy.

A lot of us know of the WHO’s work from the Covid response, but the health teams I was working with in Somalia had been in regular contact with WHO staff for their entire working lives. In 2024 alone, the WHO helped manage MPox outbreaks from the DRC to the wider region and collaborated with the Rwandan government to contain a Marburg outbreak. Historically, the WHO also played a pivotal role in perhaps the greatest achievement in human history – the eradication of smallpox.

It’s a vast understatement to say I was saddened, therefore, to witness the Trump administration's withdrawal from the WHO on day one. This move will reduce the WHO’s funding by around 15% when it comes into effect in 2026, and likely severely reduce its ability to support responses similar to the one I was involved with in Somalia — just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the important work the WHO does. As 

, cutting funding for an agency that helps manage both sudden, acute emergencies (like disease outbreaks & pandemics) along with ongoing "silent" crises (like malaria prevention and control) seems like one of the least strategic decisions a leader could make.

However, I am determined not to bury my head in the sand. While it’s not a substitute for coordinated government effort, I strongly believe ordinary individuals can play a vital role in filling aid gaps. This is especially true when larger institutional donors such as the US government withdraw from supporting organisations like the WHO, leaving an even greater funding gap for important global health and pandemic preparedness initiatives.

It's important to acknowledge that this funding gap — while significantly worsened by the US's withdrawal — is not new. The scale of global health issues has long meant they currently can’t be solved by government agencies alone. Thus, several NGOs are already operating in these spaces. Many of these NGOs work with local governments in the countries they serve to deliver scalable, highly cost-effective global health programs based on evidence-backed interventions like malaria nets and water chlorination. Because these interventions are so cost-effective, individual donors can do more than might be expected to support these programs.

Of course, where you donate matters. Experts in global poverty and charity evaluation estimate that the best interventions aimed at helping the global poor are 

around 100x more cost-effective than average

. An organisation is more cost-effective than another when it achieves 

 for the same amount of money. Part of our work at Giving What We Can, where I currently work as Head of Community & Partnerships, is empowering ordinary individuals with this information — reminding them of an astounding opportunity to help others that would have been unimaginable to most people throughout history, and providing a vetted list of our research team’s high-impact program 

Suggesting that individuals can step in where governments can't — or won't — might seem ludicrously inadequate. But the key is not the size of any single donation. It's rather about making strategic choices to support the most effective solutions to pressing global problems. By giving thoughtfully and intentionally, individual donors can create remarkable positive change in the world.

Take malaria prevention as a concrete example. Through the 

distribute over 200 million insecticide-treated bed nets

, protecting hundreds of millions of people from malaria. 

Each net costs just $5 and protects two people for up to three years. 

This straightforward, cost-effective intervention continues to save lives because individual donors recognize its incredible impact. 

Is anything you can do enough to protect 

 people from malaria? Of course not. Would it be better if the US government did the job of funding important, cost-effective work like this rather than leaving it to the world's citizens? Absolutely. 

But this doesn't change the fact that many, many more people are alive today thanks to the work of organisations like the Against Malaria Foundation, and  thanks to the (even modest) donations of the ordinary people who support that work. 

Additionally, when ordinary individuals join together, their collective impact can rival the impact of major institutions. 

 have already donated over $276 million to highly effective charities, and have 

Since the average person gives very little to charity — despite their 

relative place in the world's income distribution

 — an increase in the number of ordinary people supporting high-impact programs could lead to a mindboggling amount of progress. 

 to ask individuals to act instead of government and billionaires? No. It's not. But it's also not fair that, simply due to lottery of birth, some of us don't have to worry about our children dying from malaria or where the next meal will come from — and some of us do. So, for my part, I'm not going to stand by and do nothing just because it would be fairer if the government and billionaires acted instead.


In other words, instead of (or in addition to) pushing on people in power to make better choices, one thing we can control is our own actions. And if, like me, you’re worried about the gap this loss in WHO funding will mean for global health & pandemic preparedness, it’s reassuring to know that individual donors (like you and me) are helping fill critical gaps by supporting some of the most cost-effective organisations in global health and/or helping support crucial research & policy to guard against the next pandemic. 

It’s easy to see news like the US government defunding the WHO and feel helpless. And indeed, taking a moment or two to grieve and be angry about this decision is legitimate and justified. But then it’s time to get our heads out of the sand.

Whether you do this by speaking out against the WHO withdrawal, voicing your concerns with relevant stakeholders, or simply reaching out to loved ones to offer emotional support, consider also 

 to some of the world's most effective organisations. Their critical work is now more important than ever. You might even consider 

 to donate a meaningful portion of your income on an ongoing basis.

create remarkable positive change in the world.

Trump's WHO Withdrawal - Head in the Sand, or Time to Act?

January newsletter: Some incredible projects we funded together

As we begin a new year, we’ve been reflecting on 2024. It was a challenging year for many, with crises at home and globally. And there’s certainly more of that to come in 2025.

But despite those challenges, we aren’t powerless.

One thing that gives me hope is the number of people who truly care about helping others – who refuse to stand by and do nothing in the face of overwhelm, and who (even though they can’t solve the world’s problems all by themselves) commit to doing something concrete and meaningful – something that is sure to touch the lives of others.

And – if this community is any indication – that number of people is steadily increasing.

 over the course of their working life to improve the lives of others and the world at large. This is a notable ~50% increase from 2023. 

, where they customised their commitment – choosing how much of their income to give and how long their commitment should last.

Further, 2024 saw at least $36m USD move through our donation platform to support highly effective charities and high-impact programs.

Together, we’re pushing back on the narrative that there’s no point in trying and that there’s nothing we can do to improve the world. Instead, our community helped fund:

Anti-malarial medicine that helped children in extreme poverty avoid malaria, increasing the chance of healthy, happy, fulfilling lives

A caregiver administers a dose of SMC medicines to a child. Burkina Faso. Credit: Sophie Garcia/

A suite of initiatives to improve the welfare of farmed animals across the world through advocacy, community building, policy shaping, and legislative work

Bioweapons prevention workshops that shaped the Biological Weapons Convention, helping influence key discussions on disincentivising bioweapons

Longview’s Emerging Challenges Fund 2024 Repo

A program designed to improve community-based TB treatment and monitoring in children under 5 in India

Ensuring that key AI safety, governance, and research organisations have a seat at the table to define legislative checks on AI development

Longview’s Emerging Challenges Fund 2024 Rep

If I leave you with one thought at the start of 2025, it’s that your donations given to effective charities are making a real difference, and your contributions are creating a healthier, happier and safer world for its inhabitants.

Grace Adams & the Giving What We Can Team

Here are some of our favourite responses from people who took a pledge last m

What motivated you to take a pledge with Giving What We Can?

 are still open, and the deadline has been extended to Feb 9th due to a large number of incoming applications! Last year's conference was focused on existential risk, but this time around it will be a regular, cause-neutral EA Global. 

Our research team is about to undertake our next impact evaluation – and we need your help. We’d be grateful if you could take a moment now to record your donations in your 

. You will help us gain valuable insights into our collective impact and see your personal giving stats! It’s extremely important to us to consistently and rigorously evaluate our work, and we use the key insights to inform our strategic plans going forward so we can continue driving more resources to the most effective organisations and causes.

My Donations for a Sustainable Food System

 in which he discusses his reasons for donating over €10,000 in the past year to 

. Felix discusses how supporting these organisations (and more broadly, a commitment to donating a portion of your income to effective charities) can help fight numerous problems, from climate change and pandemics to animal suffering. Read it 

Looking for a fun (and cost-effective) way to raise funds for EA charities and promote EA principles to a wider audience? 

about your favorite effective charity to the charity video competition

 Past submissions have resulted in $3500 per video, and last year the 

What Vegan Advocates Can Learn From The Social Spread Of Quitting Smoking

. It explores how social connections and relationships may drive the adoption of plant-based diets, offering insights for advocacy and future research – you can read it 

 has fieldwork underway for its house sparrow welfare research project. The project 

 to explore how varying environmental conditions affect the welfare of a common animal, the house sparrow. The research team recently gathered in person to collaborate and work on methods for the study – you can read 

 highlighting its efforts of “doing more together” to beat malaria.

this article about a surge in malaria cases

 due to lack of funding, the effect of covid-19 on health systems, political instability, developing resistance to anti-malarial drugs and insecticides, and other challenges.

Is recruiting for several positions in finance, digital health, and compliance. You can find all the 

8.7 million cash disbursements to caregivers

 in 2024 – more than all cash transfers it made during the past five years.

Cash for vaccines: How a reward program boosts child immunisation in Nigeria:

 published a 2024 year in review, sharing the ripple effects of its work in 2024. Find the 

, one of our recommended charities, is now a 

AMF - Associação Against Malaria (Portugal)

. If you are a donor in Portugal wanting to make a tax deductible donation to AMF, head to their website to 

 (FEM) is expanding its radio programs about family planning to new countries where its intervention can cost-effectively improve maternal health.

an application round for implementing partners

 for proofs of concept and is accepting applications from the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, The Gambia, India, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Rwanda, and Togo. 

Shared an update on its progress in several countries: In Zanzibar, the Ministry is set to roll out a TaRL pilot following successful workshops in late 2024. In Eritrea, TaRL has developed materials in nine local languages and is preparing for teacher training. In Ethiopia, materials workshops concluded in December, and master trainers are gearing up for a pilot.

Is offering an Advanced Course on implementing TaRL programs. Find more information and 

developments in AI capabilities, safety and governance

 in 2024 including evidence that AI continued to advance rapidly in 2024, and important findings about AI safety and risk.

 also wrote about scaling in AI. You can read 

Launched a public Request for Information to identify organisations that could implement cost-effective water chlorination programs. GiveWell hopes to fund small-scale pilots to demonstrate operational feasibility and consider follow-on grants to scale the programs if the pilots prove successful. The deadline for responses is March 7, 2025. You can  

, which includes directions for applying and/or submitting questions.

cross-cutting research team's strategy and focus areas

 to lead its US AI policy efforts. The role involves developing/executing strategies to advance 

, building coalitions across the AI policy ecosystem, and directing strategic funding ($10-30M) to high-impact initiatives.

 in San Francisco and DC to support work across all its cause areas

. In 2024, ACE granted nearly $3 million for highly impactful and promising work, recommended eleven charities, and awarded Movement Grants to 30 innovative projects. Read more about ACE's achievements 

 showcase the counterfactual funding moved toward its Recommended Charities and Movement Grantees. Between January 2019 and March 2024, ACE estimates that it influenced $20,000,000 that would not have otherwise been donated to its Recommended Charities and $2,600,000

that would not have otherwise been granted to Movement Grants grantees!

Applied Researcher (Global Catastrophic Risks)

 to join its research team, identifying and evaluating high-impact funding opportunities to guide effective giving. Learn more and 

We love seeing our community sharing stories about what pledging means to them and spreading the word about effective giving. We are stronger together! Thank you to Luke Furness for 

helping normalise the concept of giving generously to effective charities

 and stay connected with us for more news and updates.

Do you have any feedback on our newsletter or communications? 

 with Giving What We Can and effective giving.

Do you have questions about the pledge, Giving What We Can, or effective giving in general? Check out our 

 January newsletter: Some incredible projects we funded together 

Grace Adams

It’s been a big couple of months! We’ve celebrated our 15th anniversary, we’ve announced our 2025 charity recommendations, and we’ve just finished holding our Pledge Week!

We’re only days away from the end of the year, so now is a great time to:

Blog

Adapting the Pledge to Your Goals & Values

Trump's WHO Withdrawal - Head in the Sand, or Time to Act?

January newsletter: Some incredible projects we funded together

December news: Wrapping Up 2024

From ideals to impact: Jacob Bauer on how writing his book changed his approach to giving

Beyond the dichotomy: Perspectives on direct work and effective giving

Where are the GWWC team donating this year?

Why I took the 🔸10% Pledge before earning an income

How I moved from donating 3% to a 10% Pledge

Comparing effective giving to other forms of charitable donations: Dos and Don’ts