An increasing threat
2024 was the warmest year since weather records began. The global temperature was 1.55 degrees above pre-industrial levels, exceeding the 1.5-degree climate target agreed in 2015 for the first time.[1] The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) predicts a warming of 2.8 degrees by the year 2100.[2]
According to World Bank estimates, 17.51% of the world’s population is at risk of being driven into poverty by extreme weather events.[3] In addition, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).[4] The consequences of climate change will hit poorer countries the hardest.
Donating works
Only 2% of all global philanthropic donations currently go towards mitigating climate change.[5] And this despite the fact that they can make an effective contribution. According to research by Founders Pledge, it is far more effective to support political and technological change than, for example, to appeal for behavioral change or to directly offset emissions. Current estimates assume that every euro donated to the most promising climate protection organizations, 15 to 30 times more Emissions reduced by traditional CO2 compensation measures.[6]
Giving Fund: Mitigating Climate Change
We recommend our Giving Fund: Mitigating Climate Change as the most flexible and easiest way to support the most promising climate protection organisations. Our fund is modelled on the “Climate Fund” by Founders Pledge. Learn more
Organizations recommended by us
The variation in effectiveness among climate charities is significant. The work and impact of the organizations we recommend have been thoroughly evaluated by independent experts such as Founders Pledge and Giving Green.
Future Cleantech Architects
To reach net zero, it is essential to decarbonize cement, steel, and aviation. Future Cleantech Architects is a think tank and advocacy group accelerating the development of innovative, neglected technologies to make this transition a reality. Learn more
The Good Food Institute
The Good Food Institute promotes the development and marketing of sustainable alternatives to conventional meat. In order to establish these on the market, the aim is for them to be at least equal in terms of flavour, price and availability. Learn more
Clean Air Task Force
The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is driving the necessary political and technological change for the decarbonisation of energy systems. CATF is committed to pragmatic, technological solutions. Every donated dollar saves 1 ton of CO2 equivalent emissions. Learn more
DEPLOY/US
Political polarization hinders the adoption and durability of effective climate policies. DEPLOY/US focuses on building the severely neglected field of NGOs credibly engaging conservative constituencies on climate and clean energy. Learn more
Your personal advice
Those who donate want to make a difference. We are happy to help you achieve the greatest possible impact in line with your ideas and values. Simply make an appointment for your personal consultation.
Anne Schulze,
Founder & Managing Director
Blog articles
FAQs
How much should I donate?
How much you donate is, of course, entirely your own decision. You may find some inspiration in our articles “How much should I donate?” and “Why and how I donate”.
Can I deduct my donation from my taxes?
Yes, you can deduct your donation from your taxes in Germany, Austria, Czechia and Switzerland, even if the organizations we recommend are based abroad. We automatically email you one donation receipt for all your donations at the end of February of the following year. You don’t need to do anything. Once it has been issued, you will also find it as a PDF in your donor account.
I don’t want to donate online. Can I pay by bank transfer instead?
Of course, you’re welcome to donate by bank transfer. In our donation form, choose “Bank transfer” as the payment method, enter the details we need for your donation receipt, and register your donation. You’ll then receive an email with our bank details and a payment reference, which lets us match your transfer to your donation once it arrives.
What fees apply? Do you pass on 100% of my donation?
We process donations free of charge, so we keep nothing of your donation for ourselves. However, the payment providers we work with charge fees, for example for credit card or PayPal payments. They depend on the payment method you choose and are as follows for Germany:
- Bank transfer: free within the SEPA area
- SEPA direct debit: €0.35
- Credit card: 1.2% + €0.25 (for European cards)
- PayPal: 1.5% + €0.35
For amounts up to €10,000, we therefore recommend SEPA direct debit, which is particularly easy for us to process. For security reasons, amounts of €10,000 or more can currently only be donated by bank transfer.
You would pay similar fees if you donated to the organizations directly. We have negotiated with all payment providers and get particularly favorable terms for non-profits.
We fund our own work through donations too, completely separately. You can read more about this on our transparency page.
How can I change, pause or cancel my recurring donation?
Log in to your donor account. There you can change the amount or how it is split, pause your recurring donation or cancel it at any time, without giving a reason.
Do you donate by standing order? Then the payment runs through your bank, so you can only change the amount, pause or cancel there, by adjusting, suspending or deleting the standing order. Please still let us know in your donor account if you change the amount or cancel. Otherwise you will receive an automated payment reminder, which you can simply ignore.
Prefer email or phone? We’re still here for you: info@effektiv-spenden.org (🇩🇪 +49 30 260 355 19, 🇨🇠+41 44 244 27 38, 🇦🇹 +43 1 266 01 38).
How do you cover your costs?
Effektiv Spenden is made possible by private funders, whose support covers all of our administrative costs. This allows us to pass on your donation to our top organizations in full. Of course, we also welcome donations to us as a platform. You can find out more about how we are funded on our transparency page.
Sources
[1] ↑ WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level. World Meteorological Organization. https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/wmo-confirms-2024-warmest-year-record-about-155degc-above-pre-industrial-level. January 2025.
[2] ↑ Emissions Gap Report 2025, UNEP. https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2025 November 2025.
[3] ↑ Pathways Out of the Polycrisis. Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report 2024. World Bank Group. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/poverty-prosperity-and-planet Page 15. 2024.
[4] ↑ Climate change. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health. October 2023.
[5] ↑ Funding trends 2024: Climate change mitigation philanthropy. ClimateWorks Foundation. https://www.climateworks.org/report/funding-trends-2024/. 2024.
[6] ↑ Based on an average expected value of 1 tCO2 per dollar donated (based on Founders Pledge (2021) "A guide to the changing landscape of high-impact climate philanthropy", p. 119) and a compensation price of € 25 per tCO2e at atmosfair.