Deciding where to allocate charitable support can be a daunting task for philanthropists, especially in times of disaster or crisis. The fear of making the wrong choice or the overwhelming number of worthy causes can lead to analysis paralysis.
This article aims to ease that burden by offering insight into giving to emergency relief and providing a framework for selecting which causes to support.
Emergency Relief: Immediate Assistance vs. Long-Term Recovery
In his book "Doing Good Better," William MacAskill addresses the irrational nature of funding in response to natural disasters:
"If the international response to natural disasters was rational, we would expect a greater amount of funding to be provided to larger disasters and to disasters that occur in poorer countries... But that's not what happens. Funding seems to be allocated in proportion with how evocative and widely publicised the disaster is, rather than on the basis of its scale and severity."
A couple of thought-provoking ideas when you're thinking, should I donate to this emergency appeal:
- Can your donation contribute to the long-term reconstruction of communities beyond the brief spike in attention?
- Should you channel funds toward today's pressing disasters, or help combat 'everyday emergencies' like preventable diseases and extreme poverty?
MacAskill suggests that our emotional response to current disasters often overtakes the rational decision to address consistent, ongoing problems.
"The law of diminishing returns also explains why in general, it makes less sense to donate to disaster relief than it does to donate to the best charities that fight poverty. Every day, people die from easily preventable diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis."
The Impact of Foreign Aid in Combating Preventable Diseases
When considering the profound impact of foreign aid, few achievements rival the eradication of deadly diseases. When it comes to the number of lives saved and people helped, eradicating disease has a much larger impact than achieving world peace.
Smallpox, for example, not only claimed lives (around 30% of those infected died) but also left survivors with severe disfigurement. The world breathed a sigh of relief when, in 1977, smallpox was declared eradicated. The magnitude of this victory becomes more apparent when compared to the lofty goal of world peace.
MacAskill says, “It's difficult to comprehend just how great an achievement this was, so let's make a comparison. Suppose we'd achieved world peace in 1973. How many deaths would have been prevented? That timescale includes the killings of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, the Rwandan genocide, the two Congo wars, the 9/11 attacks and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you add up all the wars, genocides and terrorist acts that occurred since 1973, the death toll is a staggering 12 million. Prior to its eradication, smallpox killed 1.5 to 3 million people every year, so by preventing these deaths for over 40 years, its eradication has effectively saved somewhere between 60-120 million lives."
Prioritising preventative measures and strategic interventions in a philanthropy strategy can result in far-reaching, long-lasting benefits, guiding donors towards more impactful and enduring philanthropic investments.
How to Decide What Causes to Support
Choosing where to direct your philanthropy can be guided by evaluating causes across four aspects. Reflecting on these dimensions helps clarify the potential impact of your philanthropic actions.
Scale
The extent of the problem's impact in both the short and long term.
Neglectedness
The amount and allocation of resources currently directed toward the problem.
Tractability
The feasibility of making progress and the ability to measure it.
Personal Fit
Considering your skills, resources, knowledge, connections, and passions, how effective can you be in making a difference?
Get Strategic Philanthropic Guidance with the Be BlueRock Foundation
For donors who seek clarity and direction in their philanthropic endeavours, the team at the Be BlueRock Foundation is ready to assist. We understand the challenges of choosing the right path in giving and offer our expertise to guide your strategy. Embark on a journey of thoughtful philanthropy and maximise the impact of your contributions. Reach out to our philanthropy consultants and partner with us in making a meaningful difference.
