Take Action

Most books about the world's biggest problems end the same way: with a strong sense that someone should do something, and no obvious way for you to take action.

But, if you live in a rich country, you can save a child's life every year by giving away some money you won't much miss. 

Two facts make that possible:

1. You're richer than you think. A salary of $40,000 puts you in the top few percent of the world by income. Most people guess they're around the middle! Check where you actually rank.

2. The best charities are dramatically better than the average. Often over 100 times more effective. Independent, impact-focused evaluators like GiveWell, Animal Charity Evaluators, and Giving Green spend thousands of hours a year working out which ones, so you don't have to.

And you don't need to change your career to act. The problems you read about need researchers, founders and policymakers. But they also desperately need funding, and most readers are far better placed to provide that than they realise.

That's why we started a pledge club with our friends at Giving What We Can, where you can take a giving pledge and join other readers who want to actually do something about all the problems we face.

Take a giving pledge

Why a giving pledge, rather than just donating?

Because good intentions are hard to keep. A pledge turns "I should really give more" into a decision you make once, at your most clear-headed, instead of something you renegotiate with yourself every month.

Take the 🔸10% Pledge

Give 10% of your income for the rest of your working life. People who pledge tend to describe it as one of the best decisions they've ever made, and you'd be joining over 11,000 of us in 100+ countries. 

Together we give more than $80 million a year and save the life of a child every three hours (in addition to giving to many other high-impact causes).

Not ready for 10%?

Take a 🔹Trial Pledge

Try giving at least 1% of your income to effective charities, for a period you choose. Thousands of people have started here and get so inspired that they keep going.

Not ready to commit yet?

Completely fair. Keep reading and building your inspiration. The pledge will still be here when you've thought it over.