Ask HN: What is the most efficient way to do good?

Is the most efficient way really to have a high paying job in the west and donate as much as possible to Malaria projects (as givewell.org suggests)?

Or are there some less known niches to do good, where my money or personal projects would have an even larger impact?

(Please do not discuss here the tradeoffs between helping people suffering now or preventing that people suffer in the (far) future. I want to focus on short term altruism)

Do your research on charities. Does the CEO have an extortionate salary? Look in your local area. Donate to food banks if available. They will help people. Personally attend the depot where people gather items from food banks to see first-hand how helpful it is, if you don't believe your contribution is helpful. In my area, everything gets cleared each week.

Start by not contributing to the mess, so do no harm principles are important in one's personal life. Yes that includes being careful with natural resources.

After that, consider that very large charities might have considerable overheard and their practical aid on the ground very limited, or very politicized.

Local community organizations might have higher needs, have and allow you to make more more impact, though they will not have the marketing and outreach capabilities of a large organization. But...finding those might take a little more work on your side. As you want to do good in the short term, and I assume you wouldn't mind a local focus and getting the feeling you're contributing something, you could get in touch with e.g. a city social services department, they probably know which organizations exist close to you which could use some help.

Share knowledge as much as you can, it's lifesaving for folks like me who are from poor countries. It's not as direct as giving money to buy food/shelter, but in the long run it pays. I'm learning computer science, for example. Just from internet and course that people put up on there to be accessible from anywhere, that is still something that blows my mind. What poor people lack is access to "good" education. It's not restricted to tech only, it can be about anything that's worth studying. More knowledge = more open mind = more free to think.

When you are walking down the street and you see some parking meters and you have coins in your pocket. Drop them in the meter and keep walking and tell no one ever.

Oh also... Work really really hard at being nice person to everybody you meet. From the janitor to the CEO.

Anybody can donate money.