Giving What We Can UK

Registered charity 1207964 · since 2024givingwhatwecan.org·England, Wales·Updated 30 October 2026

At a glance

£404k

Annual giving, year to 31 December 2024

From the Charity Commission register

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.

Key takeaways

This is not an open grant programme: its listed method is by invitation only and it does not accept unsolicited requests, although its application note says other supported programmes can apply for supported-programme status when applications are opened, so check the annual report for current routes before writing.
Its grants go to programmes that deliver through its donation platform, so a charity should not apply unless it reasonably expects to receive at least $25,000 through the platform in the next year, and it should not apply if its work falls outside its charitable scope, does not broadly align with effective altruism, or carries a major risk of accidental harm.
Recommended programmes also need a recommendation from a vetted evaluator, so a charity without one should seek supported-programme status instead.
Where it considers other supported programmes, it prioritises those that meet at least two of four additional criteria, have support from impact-focused evaluators, or are expected to raise at least $50,000 a year through the platform, so evaluator support may matter as much as the paperwork.

Overview

Giving What We Can UK is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1207964).

Giving What We Can UK exists to make giving effectively and significantly a cultural norm, working towards a world without extreme poverty, animal suffering and existential risk. Its grantmaking consists mainly of directing funds raised through its donation platform to supported programmes, which are either recommended programmes or other supported programmes. The community has donated over $500 million USD, and all designated funding is earmarked for grants to supported programmes in global health and wellbeing, animal welfare and reducing global catastrophic risks.

What they fund

Priority Areas

Giving What We Can UK directs funds raised through its donation platform to supported programmes: specific charitable projects delivered by partner organisations and hosted funds that pool donations for grantmaking in a cause area. It distinguishes recommended programmes, vetted highly cost-effective options identified through evaluators, from other supported programmes that are promising and meet general inclusion standards. Supported programmes must fit its charitable objects, broadly align with effective altruism, follow practices that avoid accidental harm and reasonably expect to receive at least $25,000 through the platform in the next year. Its stated cause areas include global health and wellbeing, animal welfare and reducing global catastrophic risks.

Themes

Global health and wellbeing
Animal welfare
Global catastrophic risks

What they don't fund

The foundation does not fund programs that do not fit within Giving What We Can's charitable scope and have broad alignment with effective altruism principles (i.e. the charity works on a pressing problem and takes a reasonably promising approach)
The foundation does not fund programs that do not follow best practices such that there is no major risk of accidental harm from supporting the organisation
The foundation does not fund programs that do not expect to receive at least $25,000 USD in the next year through our platform
Recommended only: The foundation does not fund recommended programs unless a vetted evaluator has also recommended them

How to apply

For other supported programmes, new programmes can apply for supported-programme status during reviews when applications are opened.

Application success factors

What the charity says:

Supported programmes must fit its charitable scope and broadly align with effective altruism principles.
Supported programmes must follow best practices that avoid a major risk of accidental harm.
Supported programmes are expected to receive at least $25,000 USD through its platform in the next year.
Recommended programmes are vetted, highly cost-effective options identified via evaluators the research team has vetted.
In most cases, other supported programmes that meet at least two of the four additional criteria are prioritised.
Other supported programmes are favoured when they have sufficient support from impact-focused evaluators.
Other supported programmes may be prioritised when they add an option the team believes could be a donor's most cost-effective choice under a plausible worldview.
Other supported programmes may be prioritised when they contribute significantly to the effective giving ecosystem.
Other supported programmes may be prioritised when they are expected to raise at least $50,000 USD a year through the platform.

Where they fund

Registered area of operation (Charity Commission)

Similar funders

Funders supporting work similar to Giving What We Can UK.

Ernest Hecht Charitable FoundationRollingGave £94,874 The Golden Bottle TrustInvitation onlyGave £2.8M The Garl FoundationNo public processGave £1M The Gordon Family Charitable TrustInvitation onlyGave £56,374 Chapel of LifeNo public process The Alma Green CharityNo public processGave £960k Haysac FoundationRollingGave £13,948 Walter Lees FoundationRollingGave £104k Dullatur FoundationInvitation onlyGave £191k Lord Barnby's FoundationRollingGave £272k

1 year of accounts

Financial year	Income	Expenditure	Grants paid	Accounts document
year to 31 December 2024	£8,783,515	£644,286	£404,443	Accounts for year to 31 December 2024

Grants paid, all years: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).

Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.