Adopt direct cash transfers as the most effective and respectful method to alleviate poverty and homelessness, as scientific evidence shows they consistently outperform traditional aid programs and empower recipients.
Consider donating to GiveDirectly (givedirectly.org/happiness), an organization that provides unconditional cash transfers directly to people in extreme poverty, trusting them to spend it to improve their own lives.
Contribute to the GiveDirectly campaign for Kobobo, Rwanda (givedirectly.org/happiness), to help lift an entire village out of extreme poverty by providing direct cash transfers to nearly 100 households.
Prioritize giving to ‘super effective’ charities, which are orders of magnitude more impactful per dollar than typical charities, to maximize the good your donations can achieve.
Use GivingMultiplier.org/HappinessLab to split your donations between a charity you already care about and a ‘super effective’ organization, allowing you to contribute to both causes efficiently.
Dispel the misconception that people in poverty misuse cash transfers; data consistently shows they spend money on necessities like rent and food, often leading to a decrease in substance use.
Critically assess traditional, paternalistic aid programs that dictate how people in poverty should spend money, as these approaches are often ineffective and counterproductive compared to direct cash transfers.
Advocate for governments to redirect existing, costly homelessness and welfare spending towards direct cash transfer programs, which have been shown to be more cost-effective and meaningfully reduce poverty.
Adopt a ‘recipients first’ mindset in charitable giving, trusting that individuals in poverty know their needs best and can make the most effective decisions for themselves when given direct financial resources.
Donate any amount, even small sums like $3, $50, or $100, directly to people in extreme poverty, as these contributions have a significantly amplified impact compared to giving to traditional non-profits.
Engage in direct giving to experience deep personal fulfillment and happiness, knowing you are making a simple, straightforward, and significant positive impact on others’ lives.
Participate in Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, by committing to donate to good causes and helping people in need, following a season of consumption.