Nothing but Nets had a simple idea: kids in Africa need bed-nets to protect them from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and there’s already a huge distribution network in place, through the Measles Initiative. Why not utilize the existing infrastructure to reduce the cost that a bed-net-alone charity would incur, and distribute more nets for fewer dollars? Saving people…
The GiveWell Blog
All posts by Elie
Truth please
The most common type of evidence non-profits have offered us in defense of their programs are independently produced evaluations. In my experience, though, these evaluations sometimes read more like propoganda than like objective assessments of a program’s impact. I came across one glaring example of this phenomenon when reviewing the Vocational Foundation’s application for a…
What’s more important?
1) Going to a top college 2) Being smart enough to get into a top college Here’s a strong case for #2. (Hat tip: Eduwonkette) Needless to say, we’re not surprised by the answer. Selection bias is a cruel mistress.
Matrix reloaded
We’re still right in the thick of things in Cause 1: we’ve received applications from about half our finalists and are still waiting on the other half. Two of those we received are causing me the most difficulty: Population Services International and UNICEF. PSI didn’t fill out our matrix, but it sent us their version….
Two futures
My thoughts on the latest Giving Carnival: Fundraising today is all about the pitch; 10 years from now, I hope it will be about the product. Fundraising today reminds me a lot of car commercials. Car commercials try to convince you that a Ford is better than a Toyota or a Volvo outclasses a Volkswagen…
Face/Off! Evaluating a mammoth – Elie’s response
See this post for the ground rules of this Face/Off. Most of the organizations we’re covering in Africa don’t just do one thing, they do many. I want to get a picture of what the organization as a whole is trying to accomplish (my benchmark is to understand 80% of programs) and the evidence that…