I originally discovered GiveDirectly through GiveWell.org, which recommends a list of top charities each year. The shocking simplicity of GiveDirectly drew me to it. GiveDirectly lets donors send money directly to the world's poorest people ($0.96 per $1 raised goes to someone in poverty).

While many charities help the poor in specific ways (give malaria nets, vaccines, vitamin A), I loved that GiveDirectly empowers the people in poverty to make their own choices about how to use their money. Giving to the poor has been around since before the bible, and research shows that it's still just as effective as any of the world's top charities at saving and improving lives.

From a review of 165 studies in 30 countries on cash transfer programs: "The evidence consistently showed an increase in total expenditure and food expenditure and a reduction in poverty measures … There is robust evidence that cash transfers increase beneficiaries’ savings, investment in livestock and, to a lesser extent, agricultural assets."

On January 1, 2024, I will set off on a human-powered adventure from my front door in Seattle, running and writing (https://splattern.substack.com) the west. My friends have joked that the only difference between a homeless person and me is that I'm pushing a baby jogger instead of a shopping cart. I will undoubtedly rely on direct help on the ground from countless friends and strangers along the way to complete my run. If you're too far to help me directly, you can help by giving directly to someone else.