Strategic Impact: Why I Give Where It Matters Most

The Effective Altruism Approach

My giving strategy is guided by effective altruism (EA) principles, which use evidence and reason to determine how to benefit others as much as possible. Rather than donating based solely on emotional appeal or personal connection, I analyze which organizations can transform my contributions into the most significant real-world impact.

This doesn't mean removing emotion from giving – I deeply care about reducing suffering and improving lives. It simply means directing those emotions toward interventions proven to work most effectively.

Where I Give: Against Malaria Foundation

The Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) receives the majority of my charitable contributions for several compelling reasons:

1. Proven effectiveness: AMF distributes long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to prevent malaria, a disease that killed over 600,000 people in 2022 alone, primarily children under five in sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Transparent operations: AMF maintains exceptional transparency, tracking net distribution with photographs and GPS coordinates, and conducting post-distribution monitoring to verify nets are being used properly.

3. Cost-effectiveness: According to GiveWell's analysis, distributing mosquito nets through AMF can save a life for approximately $4,500 – an extraordinary return on investment compared to many other interventions.

4. Low overhead: AMF operates with minimal administrative costs, ensuring that donations primarily fund actual program work rather than organizational maintenance.

The military instills a focus on measurable results. When I donate to AMF, I know precisely what my contribution accomplishes: for every $2-3 I give, one net is distributed, protecting two people for up to three years.

The GiveDirect Difference

My discovery of effective giving came through GiveDirect, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals through direct cash transfers. Rather than evaluating charities based on traditional metrics like overhead ratios, GiveDirect operates on a simple but powerful model:

1. They identify extremely low-income households in developing countries

2. They transfer cash directly to these households via mobile payment systems

3. Recipients decide for themselves how best to use the funds

I also directly support GiveDirect's operations, as their approach respects the dignity and autonomy of recipients while minimizing administrative costs. Their transparency allows me to see exactly how my donations are used, and robust research demonstrates the positive impacts of direct cash transfers on recipients' lives, from improved nutrition and health to increased business investments.

Strategic Giving for Military Veterans

My military background shapes my approach to giving in several ways:

Global perspective: Serving overseas broadened my awareness of global inequalities and reinforced that someone's birthplace shouldn't determine their chance at a healthy, productive life.

Resource allocation: Military planning emphasizes using limited resources for maximum effect – a principle directly applicable to charitable giving.

Long-term thinking: Just as military planning considers future operations and consequences beyond immediate mission, effective giving requires thinking about long-term outcomes rather than just immediate relief.

Evidence-based decision-making: Military operations increasingly rely on data-driven approaches – similarly, my giving follows evidence rather than anecdotes.

Join the Mission

Strategic giving represents my commitment to applying the same disciplined thinking to philanthropy that I've applied to military leadership. Just as I wouldn't send soldiers into the field without proper equipment and planning, I won't deploy my charitable resources without ensuring they'll achieve maximum impact.

If you're interested in strategic giving:

1. Visit GiveWell.org to explore their top-rated charities

2. Consider starting with small, regular donations to build the habit

3. Join the effective altruism community to connect with others interested in maximizing their impact

Together, we can apply strategic thinking to create meaningful change in the world's most pressing problems.

What guides your charitable giving decisions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.