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@oliver.cohen
Oliver Cohen

Olly’s Run to Give Directly to People In Poverty

$5,320 raised

19 supporters

This fundraiser has ended. You can still support this nonprofit by visiting their profile

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.

GiveDirectly logo
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 27-1661997

Delivering unconditional cash directly to the world's poorest households via secure mobile transfers.

Large organization
givedirectly.org

Donors

  • Jessica Knobloch
  • Brian Model

    Very inspiring. Good luck. Happy to support you and this charity.

    1
  • User or nonprofit avatar
    Oliver Cohen

    Rudy from Caribou Grill in Valemount gave $50 for my new sneakers. Passing it on to give directly

    2
  • Kathryn Karp Cohen

    Thank you Olly for putting this fundraiser together! You are doing great things!! XXXOOO

  • Kayla Black

    Put all your heart into it!
    Head up head down
    Keep looking all around....

$5,320 raised

19 supporters
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 27-1661997

Delivering unconditional cash directly to the world's poorest households via secure mobile transfers.

Large organization