I think there’s great value in being part of a giving group—either an official fundraising circle or just with 3 or 4 friends can be a real morale and accountability boost. Maybe meet up every quarter physically or online and share your giving plans. I even know a couple of families that talk around the dinner table every month about where they will give their money.
Its telling to me that this has been the approach of many high-impact people in the past. Will McKaskill formed a giving group at Oxford very early in EA days. The Clapham sect in the 1800s would regularly meet in a pub partially to decide where to put their resources (Anti-Slavery/Prison reform/Animal welfare)
A few individuals can stay motivated to give lots over long periods, but I think the majority of people (myself VERY MUCH included) really struggle to manage alone—and there’s no shame in that. Even many who can manage giving without a community could benefit from one.
I also think us that do direct work should be more willing to tell the odd individual story of people that are helped by our work, and through those that give the money. EA is rightly allergic to anecdotes as they are the lowest form of evidence, but if we tell the odd story to help motivate people to give rather than to demonstrate impact I think it can do more good than harm. Obviously this isn’t “see or engage the person in front of you” but its a bit closer at least.
Where do you find such giving groups? None of my friends nor family give, so I think I’d have to find some online group maybe. Or perhaps see if there’s a local EA community where I am.
I’m afraid I don’t know—but a local EA group could be amazing!
I would imagine there are online EA giving groups that meet monthly or quarterly? But I’m working here in Uganda so not my scene so can’t help you with details sorry!
In addition to the other great ideas...
I think there’s great value in being part of a giving group—either an official fundraising circle or just with 3 or 4 friends can be a real morale and accountability boost. Maybe meet up every quarter physically or online and share your giving plans. I even know a couple of families that talk around the dinner table every month about where they will give their money.
Its telling to me that this has been the approach of many high-impact people in the past. Will McKaskill formed a giving group at Oxford very early in EA days. The Clapham sect in the 1800s would regularly meet in a pub partially to decide where to put their resources (Anti-Slavery/Prison reform/Animal welfare)
A few individuals can stay motivated to give lots over long periods, but I think the majority of people (myself VERY MUCH included) really struggle to manage alone—and there’s no shame in that. Even many who can manage giving without a community could benefit from one.
I also think us that do direct work should be more willing to tell the odd individual story of people that are helped by our work, and through those that give the money. EA is rightly allergic to anecdotes as they are the lowest form of evidence, but if we tell the odd story to help motivate people to give rather than to demonstrate impact I think it can do more good than harm. Obviously this isn’t “see or engage the person in front of you” but its a bit closer at least.
My understanding is that GiveWell also emerged from a giving group at Bridgewater.
Where do you find such giving groups? None of my friends nor family give, so I think I’d have to find some online group maybe. Or perhaps see if there’s a local EA community where I am.
I’m afraid I don’t know—but a local EA group could be amazing!
I would imagine there are online EA giving groups that meet monthly or quarterly? But I’m working here in Uganda so not my scene so can’t help you with details sorry!