GiveDirectly
About GiveDirectly
Giving Cash Directly to People Living in Poverty
GiveDirectly is a nonprofit that lets donors send money directly to the world's poorest households. By shifting funding directly into the hands of individuals, we aim to accelerate the end of extreme poverty globally.
Performance and Delivery (Last 12 Months)
Key Metrics Tracker
| Category | 12-Month Total | Recent Monthly Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Recipients Paid | 421,726 people | 20,976 recipients reached in April |
| Dollars Delivered | $173,017,021 | $18,918,472 delivered in April$16,792,426 delivered in February |
| Donations Received | 221,904 donations | 12,207 donations received in April19,000 donations received in October |
Historical Impact & Operations
Since 2009, we have delivered over $1 billion in cash directly into the hands of more than 2 million people living in poverty.
Current Operational Footprint
We maintain active operations in seven countries across Africa and North America:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Rwanda
- Uganda
- United States
Why Direct Cash Transfers Make Sense
Shifting Power to the Individual
Traditional aid often decides for people what they need, when they need it, and how they should use it. While well-intentioned, this approach can be disempowering. Giving cash shifts power to the person living in poverty, recognizing they are the experts in their own lives and granting them the dignity to choose for themselves.
Data-Driven Outcomes
Dozens of studies confirm that recipients spend cash aid in highly impactful, creative ways.
- Immediate Use: Money is commonly spent on medicine, livestock (cows, goats, chickens), school fees, solar panels, tin roofs, irrigation, motortaxis, and seeding new business ventures.
- Long-Term Growth: Years later, these initial investments raise baseline incomes, significantly lower malnutrition rates, and expand local economies by up to 2.5 times the original amount given.
- Debunking Myths: The data consistently demonstrates that recipients do not work less or spend funds on alcohol. Furthermore, outcomes show that men utilize and invest the cash just as effectively as women.
Our Shared Goal
Today, 817 million people globally live on less than $3 per day. Cash transfers are a proven, scalable method to accelerate their escape from poverty. Supported by individual donors, foundations, businesses, and institutions, our programs aim to demonstrate a clear path toward ending extreme poverty within our lifetimes.
