The 10% Pledge

It was incredibly surprising and frankly shocking to see where we placed on the global rich list. For example, the average UK graduate earns around £32,000 a year — enough to place them in the top 6% of the worlds richest people. Meanwhile, over 60% of people worldwide earn less than £4,000 a year.

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Using the Giving What We Can global rich list calculator was a serious eye-opener and really put things into perspective for us. 

The scale of global inequality means that even a small donation can create a tremendous difference in someone’s life. Around 700 million people live below the poverty line, surviving on less than $2.15 a day.

While it’s sad that because of the extreme inequality it is so cheap to significantly help others, it is also an opportunity. A relatively small contribution can directly improve or even save a life.

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For example, one of the world’s most effective charities, the Against Malaria Foundation, can save a child’s life for roughly £3,800. A whole life.

When we donate, we want to know our contributions will genuinely improve lives. Some charities, despite good intentions, may not have the most effective programs, and, in some cases, might even do more harm than good.

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Effective charities are those whose work is carefully measured, where impact and cost-effectiveness are the focus. In fact, some of the most effective charities are up to 100 times more impactful than others. 

Independent organisations like GiveWell spend thousands of hours researching and auditing charities to provide reliable guidance. Using their research, Giving What We Can helps us make choices that truly maximise our positive impact.

"Congratulations Alex, you have won the lottery of life". That is what pioneer, philanthropist and philosopher Peter Singer would say to me. Rightly so, the chances that I was born with safety, education, income, food, shelter, healthcare and the ability to buy things that are not necessities is a true blessing. Importantly however, with this stroke of luck there is a real opportunity; to help those who did not win the lottery like I did.