What's an effective charity?
Thinking about charities to support? Perhaps you have opinions? I think it's good to talk about this stuff openly, so we can learn from and encourage each other.
If you're curious or looking for ideas, these were my top picks in 2010:
If you're curious or looking for ideas, these were my top picks in 2010:
I'd never heard about Giving What We Can or Give Well before, and they both seem really interesting. Do you have any information about either org beyond what's on their web sites?
What do you think about the sock-puppet squick surrounding Give Well a few years ago? On one hand, the GW founders come out of that MetaFilter thread looking like total slimebuckets. On the other hand, the only reason I know about any of this is because it's featured prominently on GW---the MeFi thread is linked in Karnofsky's apology. And in the end, scam or not, it really does look like GW is doing solid research... I can't verify any of it myself, but it seems too detailed to be made up, and it would be incredibly useful if true. So who do I trust? MetaFilter or my lying eyes?
As for charities I like...
- Nothing But Nets looks good to me. I'm told that mosquito nets are dirt-cheap and proven to be effective, and I don't think handing them out could do any harm. (Even if local mosquitoes become resistant to the insecticide, the nets should still be helpful, right?)
- The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences is an educational institution affiliated with a Master's program I did last year---actually, one of my classmates from back then is currently working there as a tutor. I can't see it doing much direct, immediate good, but it's got a place in my heart and I can't resist mentioning it.
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