• Click here for a complete list of the 136 charities we've evaluated.
• Click here for an overview of our research process and criteria.
• Click a top charity's name (below) to read our full report on it.

International aid

Population Services International markets life-saving and –improving materials such as condoms, bednets, and water purification kits. PSI stands out for its commitment to self-evaluation, and appears to be improving quality of life with great cost-effectiveness (we estimate ~$1000 per human life saved). Donate to Population Services International

Partners in Health is another standout organization that builds comprehensive community health programs, staffing full-service hospitals and health centers with trained local staff. Unlike many international charities, which focus on a particular disease or problem at a time, PIH is notable for its emphasis on serving people’s needs holistically and turning no one away. Donate to Partners in Health

U.S. equality of opportunity

The Nurse-Family Partnership program consists of sending registered nurses to perform regular visits to low-income mothers, both during and immediately after pregnancy (up until the child’s second birthday), in order to counsel them on issues such as birth spacing, child nutrition, and maintaining a safe and supportive environment. Repeated studies of this program have shown lasting differences between those who did and didn’t participate in the program (even when participants were chosen by lottery). Donate to Nurse-Family Partnership

The Knowledge is Power Program is a network of charter schools across the U.S. focusing on improving academic outcomes for disadvantaged youth. All students in a school's vicinity are eligible for admission, and tuition is free. KIPP takes the position that disadvantaged students are behind from the day they enter, and need schools that are focused on going above and beyond a “normal” education. Our analysis implies that KIPP is having a real effect on academic outcomes, showing significant gains throughout KIPP’s national network of schools. Donate to the Knowledge Is Power Program

What do you get for your dollar? An overview