Quality of Life Fund

Why donate to the Quality of Life Fund?

From the viewpoint of a wealthy country where many take our survival needs being met for granted, it is vital to acknowledge that people living in extreme poverty lack access to safe cooking fuel, basic housing, and water and toilet sanitation. These individuals know what they need to shape their lives outside the constraints of extreme poverty. Additionally, the majority of people experiencing these levels of poverty live in rural areas, making agricultural income and productivity essential to their livelihood. According to the World Bank, agricultural productivity is one of the key tools to reduce extreme poverty in low income countries, with research suggesting that driving growth in the agricultural sector could be two to four times more effective at increasing incomes.

Globally, in terms of multidimensional poverty dimensions, the least progress has been made in living standards; however, it is an excellent example of how multiple deprivations intersect. A lack of adequate sanitation makes people more vulnerable to infectious disease. Low earnings among adults and low agricultural productivity means children do not attend school in an effort to help families grow enough food to survive. Clean cooking methods positively impact respiratory health for children. With incentives that work to improve the primary conditions of sustained living, people will have greater opportunities for health and can invest their time and energy in other areas of their lives.

Share of the urban population living in slums, 2020

A slum household is defined as a group of individuals living under the same roof lacking one or more of the following conditions: access to improved water, access to improved sanitation, sufficient living area, durability of housing, and security of tenure.

Data source: UN Human Settlements Programme – OurWorldInData.org/urbanization | CC BY

How do we measure impact?

Our research team works closely with our recommended nonprofits, actively monitoring their progress on key outcomes. These outcomes focus on the living standards dimensions and indicators of the Multidimensional Poverty Index. Our recommended charities work to improve key outcomes such as household income, adequate housing, ownership of productive assets, and access to safe water and sanitation. We explore the sources of impact metrics, ranging from internal monitoring and evaluation data, to external impact evaluations, including randomized controlled trials. In evaluating the impact of our recommended charities and projecting their future potential, we analyze the convergence of evidence from diverse sources, including external evaluations and the broader literature on specific interventions. Additionally, we assess the impact of our grants and their ability to strengthen the ecosystem of high-impact organizations. Key questions are central to these evaluations, such as: 

• Do our grants effectively realize their intended objectives? 
• Are our recommended nonprofits making tangible progress towards their goals on an annual basis? 
• Are these organizations able to secure additional funding and expand the reach of their programs? 

The successful scaling and increased financial backing of our recommended charities serve as indicators of achievement for our team.

Read more about how we measure impact

To learn more about our research and evaluation process, please refer to the following links:

• How We Define Poverty
• How We Evaluate Interventions
• How We Evaluate Charities
• Our Process in Action

How does the Quality of Life Fund work?

Through rigorous research and strategic allocation, we make discretionary grants at the end of each quarter. Our decisions are guided by direct conversations with these organizations, the fund’s balance, and a focus on programs aligned with our research and strategy.

By contributing to the fund, you entrust a team of expert grant-makers to maximize the effectiveness of your donation. Your support powers a portfolio of high-impact organizations and promising solutions while addressing time-sensitive funding gaps that individual donors might not be able to fill.

Funds are distributed quarterly, ensuring that every donation is put to work without delay. You can choose to allocate 100% of your donation to charities or dedicate 90% to charities and 10% to support our operations. We offer this option because we do not charge donor fees and instead raise operational funding separately.

Latest Grants Made