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EconTalk

Elie Hassenfeld on GiveWell

Oct 2, 2023
Elie Hassenfeld, Co-founder and CEO of GiveWell, shares insights from his journey in philanthropy after leaving the finance world. He discusses the importance of rigorous data in evaluating charities, emphasizing the balance between local and global giving. The conversation dives into GiveWell’s recommendations for high-impact charities tackling global health issues, and the complexities of measuring charitable success. Hassenfeld also explores the nuances of altruism, donor behavior, and the role of transparency in enhancing philanthropic efforts.
01:11:41

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Quick takeaways

  • GiveWell identifies the charities that save or improve lives the most for every dollar given.
  • GiveWell employs an evidence-based approach, using academic research to select organizations with strong evidence of impact.

Deep dives

The Origins of GiveWell and Its Mission

GiveWell was founded in 2007 by Ellie Hasenfeld and Holden Karnofsky, who were frustrated by the lack of useful information to guide charitable giving decisions. They wanted to identify outstanding organizations that could do a lot of good with the funds they received. Over the years, GiveWell has evaluated many organizations, recommending four top charities that have proven success in specific areas, such as malaria prevention and vitamin supplementation.

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