Funding for-profits that address a pressing social need can be a promising way to have a positive social impact.
An example of a social enterprise that is regarded as effective within the effective altruism community is Living Goods. It supports a network of community health promoters that sell health products door-to-door and provide basic health counseling in sub-Saharan Africa. GiveWell lists it under the “Other Charities Worthy of Special Recognition” category, but recommends donating to Living Goods rather than investing in them (GiveWell 2014).
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