Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and a Radical New Way to Make a Difference

by William MacAskill

For these reasons, especially when starting out, you should focus on building your skills, network and credentials, rather than trying to make an impact right away. This is how many of the most effective charities we’ve discussed have been founded. GiveDirectly, Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Deworm the World Initiative and Development Media International were all founded by academics who discovered innovative ways to help the poor. Rob Mather, who founded Against Malaria Foundation, had spent many years building skills in strategy consulting before moving into the charity sector. This meant he had a good grasp of how to run an organisation well, and that, once he came to set up AMF, he didn’t need to take a salary.