Donate to GiveWell's top charities

These are evidence-backed, thoroughly vetted, underfunded organizations. We discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of these organizations in this post. We discuss our process for reaching these recommendations here.

Our ranking of organizations is based on our belief in the value of filling their remaining funding gaps, which derives from the overall quality and cost-effectiveness of the organization's work, as well as what additional funding will enable the organization to do. More details in this post.

If you give directly to our top charities (rather than through GiveWell), we'd greatly appreciate if you either (a) let the charity know that you gave due to GiveWell's recommendation or (b) report your donation to us. This helps us to track our impact.

#1 Against Malaria Foundation
Preventing deaths from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa
Malaria is a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 1 million people – mostly children – die from malaria each year. Insecticide-treated bed nets prevent deaths and many other non-fatal cases of malaria and are relatively inexpensive – about $5 per net. (For more details, see our full report on bed nets.) We believe that AMF effectively expands access to bed nets. More.

#2 Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI)
Treating people for parasite infections in sub-Saharan Africa
SCI supports programs that treat people for parasitic worm infections that cause short-term symptoms such as anemia, and may cause longer-term developmental problems. These worms are extremely inexpensive to treat. (For more, see our full report on deworming.) We believe that SCI cost-effectively expands access to deworming treatment. More.

#3 Deworm the World Initiative (led by Evidence Action)
Treating children for parasite infections in developing countries
The Deworm the World Initiative, led by Evidence Action, supports programs that treat children for parasitic worm infections that cause short-term symptoms such as anemia, and may cause longer-term developmental problems. These worms are extremely inexpensive to treat. (For more, see our full report on deworming.) Deworm the World focuses on advocacy and technical assistance to governments providing deworming, and we believe that it cost-effectively increases the number of children receiving deworming treatment. More.

#4 GiveDirectly
Distributing cash to very poor individuals in Kenya and Uganda
Directly transferring money to poor individuals allows them to purchase that which they believe will help them most. Strong evidence indicates that cash transfers lead recipients to spend more on their basic needs (such as food) and may allow recipients to make investments with high returns, with no evidence of large increases in spending on items like alcohol or tobacco. (For more, see our full report on cash transfers.) We believe that GiveDirectly effectively distributes cash to extremely low-income individuals. More.

Other standout charities

Development Media International (DMI)
Producing mass media to promote improved health behaviors in developing countries
DMI produces radio and television broadcasts in developing countries that encourage people to adopt improved health practices. Preliminary results from a randomized controlled trial indicate large increases in promoted behaviors.
Iodine Global Network (IGN), formerly ICCIDD
Aiding salt iodization programs in developing countries
Iodine deficiency, which remains common in the developing world, harms cognitive development. Fortifying salt with iodine successfully alleviates this problem. (For more, see our full report on salt iodization.) IGN aims to reduce iodine deficiency globally by advocating for national salt iodization programs, tracking progress on iodization, and providing global and country-specific guidance on related programmatic and scientific issues.
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) - Universal Salt Iodization (USI) program
Aiding salt iodization programs in developing countries
Iodine deficiency, which remains common in the developing world, harms cognitive development. Fortifying salt with iodine successfully alleviates this problem. (For more, see our full report on salt iodization.) GAIN’s USI activities vary considerably across countries and include advocacy, technical assistance, supplying equipment, training government officials and salt producers, and monitoring, among others.
Living Goods
Supporting a network of community health promoters in Uganda
Living Goods sells health products door-to-door and provides basic health counseling in sub-Saharan Africa. A randomized controlled trial measured a 25% reduction in childhood mortality as a result of its program.


Tax-deductibility of donations to our top charities

Donations to GiveWell are tax-deductible in the US, and we are able to take donations for the support of any of our top charities. In addition:

  • Charity-specific considerations. Gifts to the Against Malaria Foundation are tax-deductible in several countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia. Gifts to SCI are tax-deductible in the UK. Gifts to the Iodine Global Network are tax-deductible in Canada.
  • UK donors can make a tax-deductible donation to the Giving What We Can Trust for the support of one or more or GiveWell's recommended charities. Only charities listed on the form are currently eligible – more may be added later. Donations by UK tax-payers via the trust are eligible for Gift Aid.
  • German, Swiss, and Dutch donors can make a deductible donation to Giordano-Bruno-Stiftung or Effective Altruism Foundation for the support of GiveWell or one or more of our recommended charities.
  • Canadian donors can make a tax-deductible donation to Charity Science to support GiveWell or GiveWell's recommended charities. Donors can give online through PayPal (2-3% processing fee) at Charity Science's website, or, for donations greater than $1,000, can contact Charity Science at joey@charityscience.com for more information about giving by check or bank transfer (low or no fees). Note that there is an aggregate limit to how much Charity Science can give to charities that are not registered in Canada, so donors considering giving a gift of $5,000 or more for GiveWell, GiveDirectly, Deworm the World Initiative, GAIN, DMI, or Living Goods should contact Charity Science or GiveWell before donating.
  • Australian donors can make a tax-deductible donation to Effective Altruism Australia and earmark the donation for one of several GiveWell recommended charities. (Australian donors wishing to give to the Against Malaria Foundation can make a tax-deductible donation directly to that organization – see above.)

More information on tax-deductibility of donations to our top charities.

Common donation questions

Answers to common questions about ways to donate to GiveWell's recommended charities, managing recurring donations, and more here.

Discuss these charities with GiveWell staff

If you'd like to discuss our research and top charities with a GiveWell staff member, you can request a call here.

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