Where does your
money actually go?

AMF funds and distributes long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to protect families from malaria in the world's highest-burden countries. Founded in 2004, AMF has an extraordinary zero-overhead model — every public dollar donated funds bednets. GiveWell has recommended AMF as a top charity since 2009. In FY2024, AMF spent $50.7M on bednets and reports that for every 600 nets deployed, one child's death is prevented and 500–1,000 malaria cases are avoided. AMF's post-distribution monitoring shows 95% of nets in use the day after distribution, falling to 70–80% after 24 months.

Malaria Consortium delivers preventive antimalarial medicine to children during the four highest-risk months of the year. GiveWell's 2024 data estimates roughly $6 per child per season in Nigeria, with cost-effectiveness of ~$3,500 per life saved — among the best of any health intervention globally. In March 2024 alone, GiveWell directed $9.9M to their Borno, Nigeria program. SMC campaigns can reduce malaria cases by more than 70% in treated populations.

GiveWell takes zero fees — 100% of donations to this fund are granted within 6 months to the highest-priority programs across AMF, Malaria Consortium, Helen Keller International, and New Incentives. GiveWell's operations are funded separately by donors who choose to support the organization itself. As of September 2025, GiveWell has directed over $2.6 billion to recommended organizations, estimated to have saved more than 340,000 lives. 70,000+ hours of annual research go into their recommendations.

Helen Keller International runs evidence-backed Vitamin A supplementation programs that reduce child mortality in low-income countries by up to 24% per study data. GiveWell named them a Top Charity in 2025. They also run programs to deliver incentives for routine childhood vaccines, expanding immunization coverage in West Africa. The organization was founded in 1915 and operates in 20+ countries with strong on-the-ground monitoring and auditing processes.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) is one of the world's most respected humanitarian organizations, providing emergency medical aid in some 70+ countries to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. They maintain strict editorial independence, including refusing government funding to ensure neutrality. Consistently ranked a top charity by Charity Navigator with strong 4-star ratings and regularly cited by experts as a standout in 2025 for high impact and accountability.

Feeding America is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, operating a massive network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. They are renowned for exceptional logistics and food sourcing efficiency — an extraordinary 98% of resources go directly to programs that feed hungry Americans. Charity Navigator gives them a perfect 4-star rating. They publish detailed annual impact reports, clear financial disclosures, and maintain strong governance practices.

GiveDirectly does one thing: gives unconditional cash directly to people living in extreme poverty. Extensive randomized controlled trial research consistently shows this is among the most effective and empowering approaches — families know best what they need. Every dollar is trackable; donors receive GPS coordinates and photos of funded projects. GiveDirectly publishes full real-time transfer data and is notable for radical transparency. They have been a GiveWell recommended charity and are praised by leading development economists.

The Environmental Defense Fund uses rigorous science, economics, and law to tackle climate change, protect oceans, and restore ecosystems. Widely recognized as one of the most scientifically credible environmental charities, they partner with governments and businesses to implement market-based environmental solutions. Charity Navigator gives them a strong 4-star rating, and they have been consistently cited by experts as a standout for high impact and accountability in environmental work. Annual reports are detailed and publicly accessible.

New Incentives reduces barriers to routine childhood vaccination in Nigeria by offering small cash transfers to families who bring infants for their full immunization schedule. GiveWell named them a top charity in 2025, noting exceptional cost-effectiveness. An independent RCT showed their program increased vaccination rates by 25 percentage points in targeted areas. They operate with rigorous real-time data collection and third-party audits of every transfer.

Evidence Action's Dispensers for Safe Water program installs and maintains point-of-collection chlorine dispensers at water sources across Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi. The approach is extremely low-cost — delivering safe water at roughly $0.50 per person per year. Multiple RCTs confirm chlorination reduces diarrheal disease by 30–40%. The program has served over 4 million people and is a GiveWell standout for cost-per-DALY averted.

Sightsavers works across Africa and Asia to eliminate avoidable blindness through cataract surgeries, trachoma treatment, and mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases. A single cataract surgery can cost as little as $25–50 and restore full sight to an adult. They are among the most cost-efficient health charities globally, with GiveWell noting strong evidence for their NTD programs. Sightsavers publishes full audited accounts and detailed program-level impact data annually.

Evidence Action's Deworming the World Initiative partners with governments in India, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Kenya to deliver mass drug administration to hundreds of millions of children annually. At roughly $0.50 per child per year, it's one of the most cost-effective health interventions known. Deworming improves school attendance, cognitive development, and long-term earnings. GiveWell has evaluated the program extensively, including a review of updated evidence on long-term impact.

The IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, delivering life-saving aid and rebuilding livelihoods for millions of refugees and displaced people in over 40 countries. Founded at Einstein's request in 1933, it operates across emergency response, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. Charity Navigator awards a 4-star rating and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance accredits them. The IRC publishes comprehensive annual impact reports with disaggregated outcome data.

Direct Relief provides medical assistance to people affected by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest worldwide. Remarkably, they achieve 100% of resources to programs by funding operations through separate institutional donors — a model similar to AMF. Charity Navigator has awarded them a perfect 100/100 score multiple years running, making them one of the highest-rated charities in existence. They ship over $2 billion in medical aid annually, including medications, equipment, and supplies to 80+ countries.

CARE is one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations, operating in 100+ countries and reaching 90 million people annually with food, water, healthcare, and economic opportunity programs. A particular focus on women's economic empowerment has distinguished CARE's approach for decades. They are Charity Navigator 4-star rated and BBB Wise Giving Alliance accredited. Emergency response, climate adaptation, and refugee programs represent their largest program areas in recent years.

Oxfam America combines emergency relief with long-term development work and policy advocacy, operating in 90+ countries. They are best known for their work on food security, water access, and climate justice. Charity Navigator gives them a 4-star rating and they are BBB accredited. Oxfam uniquely combines on-the-ground delivery with systemic policy change advocacy — a model that targets root causes of poverty rather than symptoms alone.

No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength that works to end childhood hunger in the United States by expanding access to federal nutrition programs, especially school breakfast. Every $1 donated helps connect kids to up to 10 meals. They have connected children to over 1 billion meals and work in every U.S. state. Charity Navigator awards a 4-star rating; they publish detailed outcome metrics on participation rates, school meal expansion, and summer food programs.

WFP USA is the U.S. fundraising partner for the United Nations World Food Programme — Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the world's largest humanitarian organization. Donations go to frontline food aid in conflict zones and famine-affected regions including Sudan, Gaza, Afghanistan, and Yemen. WFP USA receives 4 stars from Charity Navigator and passes 100% of publicly raised funds to WFP's global operations. $50 can feed a family for a month in crisis areas.

Heifer International works to end hunger and poverty through a distinctive model: providing livestock, seeds, and training to farming families, who then "pass on the gift" to neighbors — multiplying the impact of every donation. Operating since 1944 in over 20 countries, the approach creates self-sufficiency rather than dependence. Charity Navigator awards them 4 stars, and they publish farm-level income and food security outcome data in annual reports.

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is consistently ranked among the most efficient food banks in the country, distributing over 140,000 meals per day across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. With 97% of resources going directly to programs and a Charity Navigator 4-star rating, they exemplify best-in-class food bank operations. They source food through retail recovery, food drives, and government programs, and publish detailed annual impact and financial reports accessible to all donors.

Grameen Foundation builds on the Nobel Prize-winning microfinance model pioneered by Muhammad Yunus, expanding financial access for the ultra-poor — particularly women — in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They develop mobile banking technology and community savings programs that enable people to build assets and resilience. Over 10 million borrowers have been reached through partner microfinance institutions. Charity Navigator rates them 4 stars with strong governance and transparency scores.

Village Enterprise runs ultra-poverty graduation programs in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Participants receive a small cash grant, business training, mentorship, and savings group membership — a model backed by rigorous RCT evidence. An independent evaluation showed a 65% increase in income and 40% decrease in food insecurity for participants 18 months post-program. GiveWell has reviewed them as a Standout Charity and they maintain full public disclosure of program outcome data.

Opportunity International provides microloans, savings accounts, insurance, and training to entrepreneurs in 30+ countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 92% of clients are women. The organization has served 18 million clients and helped more than 22 million children gain access to quality education through their school finance programs. Charity Navigator rates them 4 stars and they publish client income and livelihood impact data annually.

Acumen uses a pioneering "patient capital" model — investing in social enterprises delivering healthcare, clean energy, water, and education to low-income communities across Africa and Asia. Unlike traditional charity, Acumen loans and equity capital is often recovered and recycled into new investments, multiplying impact over time. They have supported 150+ companies reaching over 300 million people. Acumen publishes detailed portfolio data, impact metrics, and leadership learning programs used by thousands of social entrepreneurs globally.

The Nature Conservancy is the world's largest conservation organization, operating in 72 countries to protect land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems. They have directly protected over 125 million acres and 5,000 miles of rivers. Their approach blends land acquisition, government partnership, and indigenous-led conservation. Charity Navigator gives them 4 stars, and they are widely regarded as among the most rigorous and science-driven environmental charities globally.

The Rainforest Alliance operates at the intersection of environmental conservation and agricultural sustainability. Their certification program covers over 1 million farms in 70+ countries, training farmers in sustainable practices that protect tropical forests and biodiversity while improving livelihoods. Their frog seal appears on certified products across tea, coffee, cocoa, and timber. Charity Navigator rates them 4 stars and they publish detailed impact data on deforestation rates and farmer income improvements.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is consistently rated one of the most cost-effective climate charities by Founders Pledge and the giving research community. They focus on highest-leverage, often neglected solutions: methane regulation, advanced nuclear, clean hydrogen, and carbon capture. Their cost per tonne of CO₂ avoided is estimated at under $1 — extraordinary efficiency. CATF publishes rigorous policy impact analyses and has influenced regulations affecting billions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Sierra Club Foundation supports the Sierra Club's environmental advocacy with a philanthropic focus on transformative campaigns. The Beyond Coal campaign, partially funded through the Foundation, has successfully retired over 350 coal plants in the U.S. — the most significant emissions reduction achieved by any environmental campaign in history. The Foundation is Charity Navigator 4-star rated, publishes annual reports, and supports litigation, volunteer organizing, and state-level clean energy policy work.

World Central Kitchen was founded by Chef José Andrés in 2010 following the Haiti earthquake. The organization has since deployed in dozens of disaster zones and conflict areas, serving over 350 million meals across 22+ countries. WCK pioneered the "restaurant-based relief" model — activating local restaurants and catering networks to cook nutritious hot meals rather than distributing shelf-stable packages. Charity Navigator rates WCK 4 stars for financial health and transparency.

Room to Read was founded in 2000 and operates across Asia and Africa, focusing on two core programs: literacy skills for early primary students and girls' education. Over two decades, the organization has reached 42 million children and published 23 million books in local languages. Room to Read's evidence-based approach has been validated by independent evaluations showing significant improvements in reading comprehension and school completion rates for girls. Charity Navigator gives it 4 stars.

All Hands and Hearts is a volunteer-powered disaster relief organization recognized for its cost-effective model of rebuilding communities after earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. With over 50,000 volunteers deployed, the organization has rebuilt 15,000+ homes and schools across the Americas, Caribbean, and Asia. Smart Response® brings sophisticated planning and accountability to volunteer deployment, earning consistent 4-star Charity Navigator ratings.

UNICEF USA raises funds and advocates for the United Nations Children's Fund, which operates in 190+ countries. Their work spans immunization, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and emergency child protection. UNICEF's vaccination programs reach nearly 45% of the world's children annually. The US Fund has earned a 4-star Charity Navigator rating for strong financial management and comprehensive transparency reporting.

The Humane League runs highly targeted corporate and government campaigns to improve conditions for farm animals. Using research-backed tactics, THL has secured 500+ corporate cage-free and better welfare commitments from major food companies worldwide. Animal Charity Evaluators consistently rates THL as a "Top Charity" for cost-effective animal welfare impact. With 86% of expenses going to programs and strong transparency, THL is a leading force in the farmed animal welfare movement.

Save the Children works in 100+ countries and US states to improve children's lives through better education, healthcare, and emergency response. Reaching 200M+ children since its founding, the organization delivers life-saving programs in the world's most fragile settings. Save the Children is one of the largest child-focused NGOs by revenue and publishes detailed impact reports and financial disclosures annually, earning a 4-star Charity Navigator rating.

Team Rubicon unites military veterans with first responders to deploy disaster response teams worldwide, giving veterans a sense of purpose and belonging after service. With over 170,000 veteran members, Team Rubicon has completed 1,200+ disaster operations across the US and internationally. The organization earns 4-star Charity Navigator ratings and is consistently recognized for its efficiency in channeling veteran skills into meaningful humanitarian work.

The American Red Cross responds to approximately 60,000 disasters annually in the US — from house fires to hurricanes — while also providing 40% of the nation's blood supply. Founded in 1881, the Red Cross trains millions in CPR and first aid and supports military families throughout the year. The organization maintains strong transparency reporting and remains the largest humanitarian network in the United States by volunteer engagement and geographic reach.

Khan Academy is a free, nonprofit educational platform providing personalized learning resources to 150 million monthly learners in 50+ languages. Founded by Sal Khan in 2008, the platform covers subjects from kindergarten through early college, with particular emphasis on math and science. Research studies have shown Khan Academy users demonstrate significant learning gains. With support from Gates Foundation and Google.org, 88% of expenses are directed to programs.

International Medical Corps delivers emergency medical relief in the world's most fragile and crisis-affected settings — from Syria and Yemen to Haiti and Ukraine. Operating in 30+ countries with 700+ health facilities, IMC trains local medical professionals to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery long after emergency response phases end. Charity Navigator rates IMC 4 stars for accountability and financial health. It is a preferred partner of USAID and the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs.

Best Friends Animal Society leads the no-kill movement in the United States, operating the country's largest sanctuary for homeless pets in Kanab, Utah, while partnering with 3,900+ shelters and rescue organizations across all 50 states. Since 2016, the US euthanasia rate for shelter animals has fallen from 3.4 million to under 400,000 per year — a transformation Best Friends has been central to. Charity Navigator rates Best Friends 4 stars for financial management and transparency.

Teach For America recruits highly talented individuals to teach for two years in under-resourced schools across the US, with a longer-term goal of building a movement of leaders who continue working for educational equity. Since 1990, TFA has placed 60,000+ teachers in 3,000+ schools, with alumni going on to become principals, policy makers, and founders of education-focused organizations. TFA holds Charity Navigator 4-star status for financial transparency.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most powerful animal protection organization, working through legislation, undercover investigations, and direct rescue operations. HSUS has helped pass 100+ state and federal animal welfare laws and directly assists hundreds of thousands of animals per year. The organization operates on a broad front — from factory farm reform to puppy mill crackdowns and wildlife protection campaigns.

World Animal Protection (formerly WSPA) works across 50+ countries to improve conditions for animals in farming, disasters, and the wild. Its Farming Program advocates for higher welfare standards with global food companies, while its Wildlife Program works to end the use of wild animals in entertainment. WAP holds GuideStar Gold certification and is registered in 14 countries, making it one of the most globally networked animal welfare organizations in existence.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded in 1866, is the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere. The ASPCA works through anti-cruelty enforcement, rescue operations, sheltering, and public education. Its Animal Poison Control Center handles 200,000+ calls per year and its rescue teams respond to large-scale cruelty cases and natural disasters. Charity Navigator rates ASPCA 4 stars, and the organization rescues or assists 80,000+ animals annually.