Charities are often reluctant to disclose that they serve anyone but the poorest, and the data we get is often in difficult-to-interpret terms (PPP-adjusted dollar income) rather than in standard-of-living terms. So, it’s difficult to figure out where the line is between “Not the poorest, but still in need” and “Not the right people to be benefiting with your donation.” However, I would not be optimistic about the good accomplished by getting cash to the wealthiest and most powerful people in an area, even a very poor area.

How much would you prefer a non-profit to target the poorest of the poor, even if it’s at the expense of an effective program?

My guess is that in terms of impact per dollar you’ll actually get more when you’re targeting people that aren’t the poorest of the poor, especially if your goal is to make an intervention and then graduate them quickly to a higher standard of living.

Do you have any thoughts?