Hey y’all.
After reading alot of Singer and some introductory information on this site I’ve realized how much I want to start actively contributing towards EA goals, especially toward animal rights. Unfortunately I’ve run into some road blocks and am feeling stuck. I wanted to share some of these problems in hopes that I can receive some resources or ideas from you good people.
I’m poor. I’m saddled with student loan debt. I’m convinced that donating effectively is really the quickest and best way to make an impact but just cant afford to part with much money. How can I most effectively contribute without donating to causes?
I love my job. I work as a Guide for a Wilderness Therapy program and while I feel that I have benefited a few of the troubled adolescents who I’ve worked with I also recognize that this type of work isn’t addressing the more important issues that I’ve become concerned about through reading about EA. How can I help without having to change careers?
Volunteering with animal advocacy groups is appealing to me but I’m skeptical of alot of groups and not sure where to go. It seems every animal advocacy group I look into is accused of hypocrisy or incompetence. How can help reduce animal suffering? I would love to find some small achievable goal that would help animals and get behind it.
Can’t find any EA groups near Salt Lake City. Anyone know of anything?
Lastly, I recognize that looking for a way to help without donating or shifting to a more beneficial career might be unrealistic. I’m definitely open to the idea that making more money in a different field may be the most ethical thing to do and would love to hear thoughts on that as well.
Hey! Just a quick comment that I totally support you paying down your student loan debt before donating, or at least before donating much (some people donate 1% when they’re short on cash to get in the habit). I really think that one of the best things you can do early on is get yourself into a good financial situation.
You can also learn lots and share what you learn with your friends—hopefully this website can be useful for that!
Hey Rwoehrle, Thanks for sharing! I think it’s always good to take a very pragmatic approach towards donating. As long as you have a debt to pay, it seems like it’s worth putting money into that, and building a safety net for yourself first (a bit like putting an oxygen mask on yourself before you gonna get one on your child). When it comes to volunteering for animal groups, I’d recommend ACE top charities, or charities that are founded by Open Philanthropy or Animal Welfare Found, they should be kind of safe bets. Personally, I like The Humane League, and orgs around Open Wing Alliance (because this is an intervention that seems to be proven to be net positive for chickens). You can look for online volunteer opportunities with them. E.g. I work for an EA organization full time, but recently decided to donate some hours of graphic work to Fish Welfare Initiative. Maybe you can think of things you like to do, and the skills you have and go from that. I think that volunteering is a great thing, and you can start with as little as 1-2 hours a week. Also, try to join this group with EA Online Events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EAOnlineEvents to connect with the community online until you will find (or maybe start) a group near you. All the best!
Hey y’all. After reading alot of Singer and some introductory information on this site I’ve realized how much I want to start actively contributing towards EA goals, especially toward animal rights. Unfortunately I’ve run into some road blocks and am feeling stuck. I wanted to share some of these problems in hopes that I can receive some resources or ideas from you good people.
I’m poor. I’m saddled with student loan debt. I’m convinced that donating effectively is really the quickest and best way to make an impact but just cant afford to part with much money. How can I most effectively contribute without donating to causes?
I love my job. I work as a Guide for a Wilderness Therapy program and while I feel that I have benefited a few of the troubled adolescents who I’ve worked with I also recognize that this type of work isn’t addressing the more important issues that I’ve become concerned about through reading about EA. How can I help without having to change careers?
Volunteering with animal advocacy groups is appealing to me but I’m skeptical of alot of groups and not sure where to go. It seems every animal advocacy group I look into is accused of hypocrisy or incompetence. How can help reduce animal suffering? I would love to find some small achievable goal that would help animals and get behind it.
Can’t find any EA groups near Salt Lake City. Anyone know of anything?
Lastly, I recognize that looking for a way to help without donating or shifting to a more beneficial career might be unrealistic. I’m definitely open to the idea that making more money in a different field may be the most ethical thing to do and would love to hear thoughts on that as well.
Hey! Just a quick comment that I totally support you paying down your student loan debt before donating, or at least before donating much (some people donate 1% when they’re short on cash to get in the habit). I really think that one of the best things you can do early on is get yourself into a good financial situation.
You can also learn lots and share what you learn with your friends—hopefully this website can be useful for that!
Thanks for the 1% suggestion. Any causes you feel it would be best directed to?
Hey!
Re #4, I found this, but I’m not sure if they’re still active. If this doesn’t work, you very welcome to join us at EA Anywhere.
Hey Rwoehrle,
Thanks for sharing! I think it’s always good to take a very pragmatic approach towards donating. As long as you have a debt to pay, it seems like it’s worth putting money into that, and building a safety net for yourself first (a bit like putting an oxygen mask on yourself before you gonna get one on your child). When it comes to volunteering for animal groups, I’d recommend ACE top charities, or charities that are founded by Open Philanthropy or Animal Welfare Found, they should be kind of safe bets. Personally, I like The Humane League, and orgs around Open Wing Alliance (because this is an intervention that seems to be proven to be net positive for chickens). You can look for online volunteer opportunities with them. E.g. I work for an EA organization full time, but recently decided to donate some hours of graphic work to Fish Welfare Initiative. Maybe you can think of things you like to do, and the skills you have and go from that. I think that volunteering is a great thing, and you can start with as little as 1-2 hours a week.
Also, try to join this group with EA Online Events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EAOnlineEvents to connect with the community online until you will find (or maybe start) a group near you. All the best!