Cost-Effective Organizations Saving Lives Globally
Discover highly impactful charities that use evidence and cost-effectiveness to address the world’s most pressing challenges, saving and improving lives globally.
Maximizing Impact Through Evidence-Based Solutions
The organizations featured in this list focus on interventions that deliver the greatest good for every dollar spent. By addressing critical global challenges — such as improving health and alleviating poverty, advancing animal welfare, and reducing catastrophic risks — they maximize their resources to save and improve lives. Their work spans programs like malaria prevention, deworming, and cash transfers to reduce poverty, alongside efforts to improve animal welfare and address global risks such as pandemics and AI safety — all driven by evidence and cost-effectiveness to maximize impact.
Empowering Change: Supporting Cost-Effective and High-Impact Organizations
We celebrate these organizations for their commitment to rigorous evaluation, cost-effectiveness, and their ability to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems with measurable success. Their work demonstrates the power of prioritizing interventions that achieve maximum impact while remaining transparent and accountable.
These organizations' missions embody the principles of effective giving and drive meaningful, long-lasting change globally. We invite you to explore and support these organizations by donating through the Charity Navigator Giving Basket.
Cost-Effective Organizations Saving Lives Globally
-
The Against Malaria Foundation
KANSAS CITY , MO
AMF prevents malaria cost-effectively by distributing long-lasting insecticidal bed nets worldwide. -
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Washington , DC
Carnegie advances global peace by researching AI and biosecurity impacts and fostering dialogue on international policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Effective Giving
What defines the best charities for maximum impact?
The best charities for maximum impact are defined by their commitment to effective altruism principles: high transparency, rigorous evaluation of interventions, and a primary focus on cost-effectiveness. They choose areas where a dollar can go furthest, often in global health or poverty alleviation, to generate the greatest positive outcome.
How can I find evidence-based charities for global health?
To find evidence-based charities for global health, you should look for organizations that publish clear, third-party verified data on their outcomes. Many of the groups on this list are proven to be most cost-effective charities for donation by implementing interventions — like bed net distribution or vitamin supplementation — that have been scaled due to successful, scientific trials.
Do effective giving organizations also address long-term global risks?
Yes, our list includes charities dedicated to addressing massive, long-term threats to humanity. This includes nonprofits focused on catastrophic risk like extreme poverty, future pandemics, and the long-term governance of powerful new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure a safe future.
What kind of measurable impact can I expect from my donation?
By donating to charities with high impact per dollar, you can expect your funds to be tracked against measurable metrics, such as: the number of people protected from malaria for a specific cost, the amount of income directly transferred to a family in poverty, or the estimated number of animals spared from suffering due to advocacy changes.
Support Our Work if You Found This List Helpful
Make a tax-deductible donation to help us equip millions of donors with the tools and resources to make informed, impactful giving decisions.
Learn How We Curate Our Lists
View the criteria we use to select charities for our Where to Give Now, Popular Charities, and Best Charities lists.