Find the best ways to help others

Effective altruism asks the question: how can we do the most good with our time, money, and resources?

What is effective altruism?


A philosophy

Using reason and evidence to find the most effective ways to help others.

A movement

A global network working to put the ideas into practice.

Featured in
Is effective altruism a charity?
No, effective altruism is not a charity. It is a philosophy and movement focused on using evidence and reason to do the most good. However, there are many charities and organizations inspired by effective altruism principles. Learn more by reading the introduction to effective altruism.
What are examples of the impact of effective altruism?
People inspired by effective altruism have launched high-impact charities, guided major donations, and shaped research on global challenges. View examples here.
How do I get involved?

Effective altruism in action

From global health to existential risk: See how people apply effective altruism across diverse fields

Svetha founded New Incentives


Marcus co-founded Rethink Priorities


Tessa builds DNA screening tools


Jeff founded the NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy


Alene founded Legal Impact for Chickens


Sjir promotes the 10% pledge


Neel runs a team at Google DeepMind


Karolina co-founded Ambitious Impact


“Many of the concepts in effective altruism will be familiar to economists. What is unusual is to see these tools used to develop a practical guide on how to live an ethical life. It doesn’t tell you what choices to make; instead it sets out a simple framework for how to think through decisions.”
Dr. Rachel Glennerster, Associate Professor at the University of Chicago

What the community has achieved

Browse projects from the effective altruism community
Global health and economic development
Animal welfare
Existential risk and the long-term future
Research and charity evaluation
Grantmaking, fundraising, and donor advisement
Join 60k subscribers and sign up for the EA Newsletter, a monthly email with the latest ideas and opportunities

Four ideas you probably already agree with

That could mean you're already on board with effective altruism

1. It’s important to help others

When people are in need and we can help them, we think that we should. Most people think millionaires should give back, but few realize that even those earning the median wage in a rich country typically rank among the global top 5% of the world’s wealthy. See where you fall on the global income scale.

2. Everyone deserves equal consideration

Everyone has an equal claim to being happy, healthy, fulfilled and free, whatever their circumstances. Everyone matters, wherever they live, however rich they are, and whatever their ethnicity, age, gender, ability, or religious views.

3. Helping more is better than helping less

All else being equal, we should save more lives, help people live longer, and make more people happier. If the same resources will improve 20 lives instead of one, it’s better to improve 20.

4. Our resources are limited

We have a finite amount of money to spend. This is also true of our time. Choosing to spend money or time on one option is an implicit choice not to spend it on other options.
  1. It’s important to help others
  2. People are equal
  3. Helping more is better than helping less
  4. Our resources are limited

Get a copy for free through the Impact Books program