Andra Day and GiveDirectly are partnering to deliver cash to families in U.S. enrolled in SNAP (a federal nutrition assistance program) living in areas most affected by COVID-19 and internationally, where GiveDirectly has scaled remote capabilities across Africa.
In the US, each eligible family in the US will receive $1,000. Internationally, families enrolled will receive three emergency monthly cash payments ranging from $25–$50 per transfer, depending on the country.
The spread of COVID-19 and the resulting economic shutdown are hitting the most vulnerable families in our communities hardest, forcing some to make impossible choices between essentials such as food, rent, or medical attention.
With your help, we can get money directly, efficiently and respectfully into the hands of those who need it most. Because this crisis affects us all in a way that no other has, it invites us all to put ourselves in each other’s shoes. Giving directly is a way to do that.
The #IGiveDirectly Fund was created by Andra Day based on her desire to do more to help those most in need during this pandemic.
GiveDirectly is a leading global non-profit specializing in unconditional cash transfers. Over the past decade, GiveDirectly has delivered over $300 million in cash directly into the hands of over 170,000 families living in extreme poverty or affected by disasters. It is top-rated by GiveWell, Charity Navigator, and has consistently ranked among Fast Company’s most innovative companies. It is among the leaders in the global movement towards digital cash transfers, featuring regularly in the New York Times, This American Life, the Atlantic, Foreign Policy, and the Economist among others.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, donations are tax-deductible in the United States. GiveDirectly is a registered 501(c)(3), and our U.S. federal EIN is 27-1661997.
How much of my donation does a recipient receive?
The number will depend on the total amount contributed. In previous emergency responses we have consistently delivered over $0.90 of every dollar directly to recipients. The other costs of delivering transfers are those required to deliver the funds themselves, prevent fraud, and provide responsive service to beneficiaries.
How do I know recipients will spend cash appropriately?
Both here in the United States and internationally, extensive research shows clearly that households living in poverty generally spend transfers responsibly in ways that improve their lives. The stereotypes that recipients waste or misuse cash or become dependent on it do not hold up in the data (Evans and Popova, 2016; Banerjee et al, 2017). More information is available on our evidence page.
Isn’t the government giving out cash?
We’re glad to see governments setting up their own cash programs, and want them to scale as much as is feasible. We’ve been implementing and advocating for direct transfers for over a decade, and think the bipartisan support reflects the strength of the evidence, and how far the conversation has come.
That said, government responses, while large in scale, can’t meet the full need — whether by excluding some of the most vulnerable (e.g., elderly, undocumented, etc.), not providing sufficient resources, or simply reaching people too late.