1. What metrics do effective altruists use to assess the impact of a charity or cause?

Effective altruism is a rapidly growing movement that emphasizes using evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible. At its heart, effective altruism involves finding out how to make the most significant positive difference with our resources, whether those are time, money, or skills. A crucial component of this endeavor is assessing the impact of various charities and causes to determine the most effective ways to improve the world.

Understanding Effective Altruism

Effective altruism aims to apply a rigorous approach to philanthropy. Unlike traditional charitable giving, which may be driven by personal connections or emotional appeals, effective altruism seeks to objectively evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of charitable interventions. This evaluation often involves diving into scientific research, statistical analysis, and cost-benefit computations to ensure that each dollar or hour donated translates into as much real-world impact as possible.

Key Metrics Used by Effective Altruists

To achieve this rigorous assessment, effective altruists rely on several key metrics. Each metric serves a different purpose, but collectively they provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the effectiveness of charities and causes.

1. Cost-Effectiveness

One of the primary metrics is cost-effectiveness, which measures the amount of positive impact produced per dollar spent. Cost-effectiveness is often quantified by metrics such as:

• Cost per Life Saved: How much does it cost to save a single life through a particular intervention?
• Cost per Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) Averted: How much does it cost to prevent one year of life lost due to disability or premature death?

By comparing these costs across different interventions, effective altruists can prioritize those that offer the most significant impact for the least amount of money.

2. Evidence Base

Another critical metric is the evidence base, which assesses the quality and robustness of the research supporting a charity’s interventions. This involves examining:

• Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): Has the intervention been tested in rigorous, peer-reviewed studies?
• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Are there multiple studies that collectively support the intervention’s effectiveness?

High-quality evidence increases confidence that an intervention will deliver the expected outcomes, making it a critical factor in prioritizing charities.

3. Scalability

Scalability measures the potential for an intervention to be expanded to reach a larger population. Effective altruists favor charities and causes that can grow significantly without losing their effectiveness. Factors influencing scalability include:

• Resource Availability: Are the necessary resources (e.g., funding, personnel, infrastructure) available to support expansion?
• Barriers to Entry: What obstacles might prevent the intervention from being scaled up?

Scalability ensures that an intervention can maintain its impact as it reaches more people.

4. Neglectedness

The neglectedness metric evaluates how much attention and resources an issue is currently receiving. Causes that are relatively neglected might offer more significant opportunities for impact, since additional resources can make a more noticeable difference. Effective altruists often ask:

• Funding Gaps: How much additional funding is needed to meet the intervention’s goals?
• Competing Priorities: Are there other organizations already addressing this issue, and how effectively?

Focusing on neglected issues can ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed and can have the most significant impact.

5. Tractability

Tractability assesses how feasible it is to make progress on a particular issue. This involves considering:

• Intervention Effectiveness: How likely is it that the proposed actions will lead to success?
• Barriers Overcome: How challenging are the obstacles that need to be addressed?

Tractability helps ensure that efforts are realistic and likely to yield positive results.

Combining Metrics for Comprehensive Analysis

Effective altruists don’t rely on a single metric but instead combine these measures to create a nuanced understanding of a charity or cause’s impact. For instance, a highly cost-effective intervention might be less attractive if it lacks a strong evidence base or if scalability is limited. Conversely, an intervention with moderate cost-effectiveness but excellent evidence and scalability might be prioritized.

Real-World Applications

Effective altruist organizations, such as GiveWell and the Open Philanthropy Project, use these metrics to evaluate and recommend charities. For example, GiveWell publishes detailed analyses of top charities based on criteria like cost-effectiveness, evidence base, and scalability. This helps donors make informed decisions about where their money can do the most good.

Conclusion

Effective altruism provides a framework for making philanthropy more impactful by applying rigorous metrics to assess charities and causes. By focusing on cost-effectiveness, evidence base, scalability, neglectedness, and tractability, effective altruists strive to ensure that their resources are used in the most efficient and effective ways possible. This approach not only maximizes the positive impact of individual contributions but also fosters a culture of thoughtful, evidence-based giving that has the potential to create profound and lasting change in the world.