We have similar situations! When I was a grad student I decided I’d donate 10% of my gross income to charity once I got a job after graduation. I was also convinced by Peter Singer’s work.
At the beginning of this financial year I donated $6,000 to Against Malaria Foundation. I’d allocated about 50 hours for research to find the best charity, but once I found GiveWell I only spent a few more hours looking further.
My initial plan was to donate to GiveWell directly, but I emailed and asked about their tax status. I told them that if they weren’t tax deductible in Australia, I’d give them 30% less than I could give to their top-rated charity that was deductible (since that’s what I’d get back from the deduction). They told me to donate directly to AMF, as they were adequately funded.
Later AMF emailed me back and apologised, saying they actually aren’t tax deductible for individuals at the moment. I told them they then needed to give me back $1,800, or they could give it all back and I’d wait until they sorted the problem out. They chose the latter; I guess they expect it won’t take long.
So currently I still haven’t made a donation. If it gets to June and I still haven’t heard from them, I’m not sure what I’ll do. I might have to find the best tax-deductible charity and decide whether it’s <30% less efficient than AMF.
We have similar situations! When I was a grad student I decided I’d donate 10% of my gross income to charity once I got a job after graduation. I was also convinced by Peter Singer’s work.
At the beginning of this financial year I donated $6,000 to Against Malaria Foundation. I’d allocated about 50 hours for research to find the best charity, but once I found GiveWell I only spent a few more hours looking further.
My initial plan was to donate to GiveWell directly, but I emailed and asked about their tax status. I told them that if they weren’t tax deductible in Australia, I’d give them 30% less than I could give to their top-rated charity that was deductible (since that’s what I’d get back from the deduction). They told me to donate directly to AMF, as they were adequately funded.
Later AMF emailed me back and apologised, saying they actually aren’t tax deductible for individuals at the moment. I told them they then needed to give me back $1,800, or they could give it all back and I’d wait until they sorted the problem out. They chose the latter; I guess they expect it won’t take long.
So currently I still haven’t made a donation. If it gets to June and I still haven’t heard from them, I’m not sure what I’ll do. I might have to find the best tax-deductible charity and decide whether it’s <30% less efficient than AMF.