What is Evidence-Based Giving?
Definition
Evidence-based giving is an approach to charitable donations that relies on empirical research, data analysis, and measurable outcomes to determine which organizations and interventions are most effective at achieving their stated goals. This methodology emphasizes rigorous evaluation of charities' impact, cost-effectiveness, and ability to demonstrate concrete results, rather than making giving decisions based solely on emotional appeal or traditional practices.
Significance
Evidence-based giving has revolutionized modern philanthropy by introducing scientific rigor and accountability to charitable decisions. This approach helps donors maximize the impact of their contributions by identifying organizations that deliver the greatest good per dollar spent. It has given rise to organizations like GiveWell and The Life You Can Save, which conduct detailed analyses of charities' effectiveness, and has influenced major philanthropic institutions to demand more concrete evidence of impact from their grantees. This movement has particularly gained traction among younger donors and those influenced by the effective altruism movement, who seek to ensure their charitable contributions create meaningful, measurable change.
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