Health interventions
Programs providing proven interventions such as malaria prevention and vitamin supplementation for children.
See health charities →Our top-rated charities
These organizations are where we currently recommend donors focus their giving for the greatest expected impact.
Cash transfers
Direct cash payments to extremely low-income households, giving families the freedom to prioritize their own needs.
See cash-transfer charities →Policy and advocacy
Organizations aiming to improve public policy for large-scale, long-term benefits to people in low-income countries.
See policy charities →Our research approach
We look for programs backed by strong evidence, with clear room for more funding and transparent operations. We publish our analysis so donors can examine our reasoning.
Evidence review
We study academic literature, randomized trials, and other data to understand what works.
Cost-effectiveness
We estimate how much good an organization can do per dollar donated, using transparent models.
Ongoing updates
As new information arrives, we refine our recommendations and share our reasoning openly.
“The gold standard for giving.”
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Causeway Funds
End Hunger Fund
Our End Hunger Fund supports organizations effectively addressing food insecurity via food distribution and policy change in the areas with the greatest need.
End Homelessness Fund
Our End Homelessness Fund supports charities that address the causes of homelessness and implement solutions to increase the availability of affordable housing.
Veterans & Military Assistance Fund
The Veterans and Military Assistance Fund helps nonprofits provide veterans with mental health care, career readiness, and substance abuse treatment.
Donor Basics
Giving 101
Just starting out with giving? Look here for questions to ask a charity, strategies for maximizing your donation, and more.
Where to Give
Discover and support organizations responding to current events and crises.
Donor Tools
Whether you're a new donor or a seasoned philanthropist, use these tools to help make the most of your giving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CharityCompass?
CharityCompass is an independent nonprofit focused on helping people do as much good as possible with their donations. We recommend a short list of top charities that we update annually. All of our research is free and available to the public.
Who works at CharityCompass?
CharityCompass was founded by two individuals working in the finance industry in 2007. Our team has grown quite a bit since then! For more, see our story and meet our team.
How does CharityCompass make money?
CharityCompass is a nonprofit that is funded by donors who choose to support our mission. We don’t take any fees from donations directed to charities we recommend, nor do we receive any fees from charities for being featured on our site.
Will my donation be tax-deductible?
CharityCompass is a federally-recognized tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization in the U.S. CharityCompass is also registered in the Netherlands and the U.K. Donors may take deductions as permitted by law. More info is available here.
Does CharityCompass recommend charities for every cause?
We do not. CharityCompass focuses on areas where we believe each dollar can help the greatest number of people. This has led us to prioritize global health and poverty alleviation where your dollar can go further overseas.