Harvard College Effective Altruism

Trying to maximize the good I accomplish with both my hours and my dollars is an intellectually engaging challenge. It makes my life feel more meaningful and more important. It’s a way of trying to have an impact and significance beyond my daily experience. Holden Karnofsky

We are a campus group dedicated to spreading the ideas of effective altruism—that we should apply evidence and reason to find the most effective ways to improve the world.

In particular, we promote the ideas that:

• We are in a unique position to do good, and it's important that we care.
• Through rational decision making, we can make a much larger difference.
• We can, and do, enjoy doing it!

Who we are

We are a diverse group of undergraduates, unified by a common desire to do good in the world. We like to challenge assumptions, seek out surprising ideas, and celebrate change for the better.

What we do

We host talks—by such luminaries as Peter Singer and Paul Farmer—and dinner discussions amongst ourselves and with the larger community.

This year, members of our Philanthropy Fellowship will participate in these events with an eye towards action. After eight weeks of learning, debate, and deliberation, we'll put our ideas to work by deciding on a cause and raising funds, to be matched by an anonymous donor.