I donate a single digit percentage of my gross income to https://www.givedirectly.org - which as the name implies, gives people in extreme poverty direct cash payments, no strings attached.

There's a solid and growing body of research suggesting that this is the often the most effective form of aid, and for people born into a place with a broken (or functionally nonexistent) economy, a single lump sum payment can permanently change their life. It provides them resources to improve their situation as they see fit, which is a shocking idea to some - "they'll just waste it!" - but the data is strong on this.

Encourage anyone curious to check out their site. The orgs current president Rory Stewart has done some cool podcasts, like this one which includes a pretty badass adventure story about him walking across Afghanistan and Iran.

I like giving a percentage of what I earn because I'm usually not very motivated by money and can be a bit lazy about making more of it. Giving in this way, I know that the more I increase my income, the larger my impact. It's an extra kick in the ass to grow the business.

I would like to gradually increase the percentage I give away, and find some other places where the money could be well used to improve things I care about, especially locally. I tend to be a skeptic about the effectiveness and efficiency of many nonprofits, which is why I chose this one.

I donate to and volunteer as a mentor at an organization that provides affordable pre- and after-school care, with transportation, for children of single, low income parents.