Take action
How can I make a difference?
Effective altruism is a global movement that seeks to combine empathy with evidence-based reasoning to make the world a better place. There are numerous ways to take action and contribute to this movement, whether it’s through donations, career choices, volunteering, or other forms of action.
Donations and Pledges
Direct donations can be made to improve global health and poverty through us, supporting interventions that are evidence-based and cost-effective. For those focused on climate change, donations can be directed to Effective Altruism Australia Environment. Importantly, donations made to Effective Altruism Australia by Australian residents are tax-deductible.
We also recommend exploring other top cause areas as outlined by Giving What We Can, including global health and well-being, improving animal welfare, and creating a better future. A good start is to giving is an Effective Altruism Fund, where expert grantmakers distribute your donation among top charities in a particular cause area.
Finally, we encourage consideration of the Giving What We Can Pledge, a commitment to give at least 10% of your income to organisations that can effect the most good. For those who are not ready for the full pledge, there’s also the Giving What We Can Trial Pledge, and the One for the World Pledge, which encourages giving 1% of your income. These commitments serve as powerful tools for impactful giving, and many in our community have found them a meaningful part of their altruistic journey.
Using your Career to Do Good
Aligning your career with the principles of effective altruism can significantly amplify your positive impact. Organisations like 80,000 Hours and Probably Good offer a wealth of resources, including a key ideas page to help you understand what makes a career impactful. They also provide personalised career advice to help you identify high-impact job opportunities and navigate your career path effectively. If you’d like like to talk to us about careers, you can talk to us one-on-one .
Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering is another way to make a tangible difference in the world. If you’re interested in volunteering, you can learn about a range of volunteering opportunities here. You can also volunteer with your local effective altruism group, and many effective altruist organisations within the effective altruism community accept volunteers to help with research projects. You can find international volunteering opportunities through the EA Opportunities Board, EA Work Club, or by directly reaching out to high-impact non-profit organisations. Whether it’s assisting with research, event organisation, or offering your professional skills, volunteering allows you to support effective organisations while gaining valuable experience.
Other Opportunities to Take Action
- Starting a high-impact non-profit or social enterprise, with the support of organisations like Charity Entrepreneurship.
- Engaging in research to identify pressing problems, effective interventions, or potential future risks. You can find research topics through the EA Forum or use platforms like Effective Thesis to find high-impact thesis topics.
- Networking with like-minded individuals by attending effective altruism related events or joining local EA groups, which can help you learn, collaborate, and stay informed about the latest developments in the movement.