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 want to donate is of course ultimately your own personal decision, but perhaps you will find something in the article "How much should I donate?" and "Why and how I donate".
Can I deduct my donation from my taxes?
Yes, your donation is tax-deductible in Germany, Austria, Czechia and Switzerland, even if the recommended organizations are based abroad. We will automatically send you a donation receipt for all your donations by e-mail at the end of February of the following year. You don't have to do anything else.
I don't want to donate online, can I also transfer the money?
You are also welcome to make your donation by traditional bank transfer. To do so, please use our donation form Under “Payment method,” select the “Bank transfer” tab, enter the information we need for the donation receipt, and register your donation. You will then receive an email with our donation account details and a reference number that will enable us to allocate your donation correctly once you have transferred the funds.
What are the fees? Will you forward 100% of my donation?
We process donations free of charge, i.e. we do not keep any of your donation for ourselves. However, credit card or PayPal fees are charged by the payment providers we work with. These depend on the chosen payment method and are calculated as follows for Germany:
- Bank transfer: free of charge within the SEPA payment area
- SEPA-direct debit: 0,35 €
- Credit card: 1.2% + 0.25 € (for European cards)
- PayPal: 1,5% + 0,35 €
Therefore, for donations with amounts < 10,000 euros, we recommend Therefore, for donations of up to €10,000, we use the particularly easy-to-process SEPA-direct debit. For amounts of €10,000 or more, for security reasons, the only option currently available is Bank transfer will be available.
Comparable fees would also be incurred for a direct donation to the respective organizations. We have already negotiated with all payment providers and obtained particularly favorable conditions for non-profit organizations.
We also finance ourselves through donations, but completely independently.
You can find out more here.
How can I change or cancel my recurring donation?
If you would like to increase or decrease the amount of your donation, simply send us an email. info@effektiv-spenden.org with us. We are also happy to change the organizations/projects/funds you donate to if you wish. Unfortunately, we cannot change payment methods without further ado. To do so, you will need to cancel your donation and then set it up again.
You can cancel your recurring donation at any time without giving a reason. Simply send us an informal email to info@effektiv-spenden.org or call us at +49 (0)30 / 260 355 19.
How do you cover your costs?
Effektiv Spenden is made possible by private sponsors. This support enables us to cover all administrative costs. This allows us to pass on your donation in full to our top organizations. Of course, we also welcome your donation to us as a platform. You can find out more about our funding here.
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.