Meet with PWL Capital: https://pages.pwlcapital.com/en-ca/contact-us?utm_source=content&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=rationalreminder_yt Avoid Online Scams https://pwlcapital.com/stay-safe-online/ Ben Felix or any PWL employee will never reach out to you on social media platforms or WhatsApp to give financial advice. These are scammers trying to commit fraud. In this episode, we are joined by Elie Hassenfeld, Co-Founder and CEO of GiveWell to discuss how data, transparency, and moral trade-offs can guide charitable giving with maximum impact. Elie brings his background in finance and philosophy to the world of global philanthropy—explaining how GiveWell rigorously evaluates programs to determine which ones save or improve lives most effectively. We explore how GiveWell assesses cost-effectiveness, why transparency is a core organizational value, and how moral weights shape grantmaking priorities. Elie also opens up about the challenges of running a high-stakes nonprofit that directs nearly $400 million annually, why global health interventions are often overlooked by traditional donors, and how they navigate philosophical dilemmas like saving a life versus doubling someone’s income. This conversation blends finance, ethics, and effective altruism into a compelling framework for anyone who wants to do the most good with their giving. Timestamps: 0:00:00 Intro 0:05:15 What GiveWell does 0:09:43 The Size of the GiveWell team 0:11:03 What 2023 was like for GiveWell, and what Elie expects 2025 will be like 0:15:02 Elie describes GiveWell's values 0:19:39 How Elie evaluates the success of GiveWell 0:24:36 How Canadians can participate in what GiveWell is doing 0:27:30 GiveWell's criteria for grantmaking 0:33:40 How GiveWell evaluates top charities 0:39:03 Why the top charities focus on global poverty 0:44:22 Why the cost to save a life is so high when things like mosquito nets and malaria drugs are so inexpensive 0:50:33 The effect uncertainty has on GiveWell's cost effectiveness evaluations 0:53:25 The impact moral weights has to granting decisions and charity evaluations 0:59:44 How much Elie worries whether or not GiveWell's moral weights are 'right' 1:04:20 How GiveWell determines whether an organization has enough capacity to use the dollars you are granting to them 1:09:57 Why GiveWell places such a heavy emphasis on evidence 1:12:58 Elie defines success in his life Links From Today’s Episode: Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/ Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/ Rational Reminder on X — https://x.com/RationalRemind Rational Reminder on TikTok — www.tiktok.com/@rationalreminder Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.ca Benjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/ Cameron Passmore — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Cameron on X — https://x.com/CameronPassmore Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/