Which is better, Against Malaria Foundation or Malaria Consortium?

We don't pick a winner. Both are GiveWell Top Charities. Both figures come from GiveWell, in the same unit and for the same period (2022–2024 average). Both are modeled estimates, so read them together with the strength of the evidence and the charity's funding needs.

Is a lower cost per life saved always better?

Not on its own. A lower cost per life saved means the evaluator's model expects each dollar to go further. It is an average across the charity's whole program, not a price for one life. Estimates are uncertain, so a modest gap between two charities may not reflect a real difference.

Yes. Many donors split a gift, or give to an evaluator's fund, which spreads money across several recommended charities.

Side by side · Malaria

Against Malaria Foundation or Malaria Consortium?

Both are GiveWell Top Charities. Both figures come from GiveWell, in the same unit and for the same period (2022–2024 average). We put them side by side so you can compare like with like. We don’t pick a winner.

GiveWell Top Charity

Against Malaria Foundation

Buys long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets and works with local partners to hand them out in places where malaria is common, then checks the nets are still in use.

GiveWell's estimate

$5,500 per life saved

GiveWell, 2022–2024 average (opens in a new tab)

Exceptionally strong

Strength of evidence, as rated by GiveWell

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GiveWell Top Charity

Malaria Consortium

Gives young children preventive malaria medicine during the rainy months, when malaria spreads most.

GiveWell's estimate

$4,000 per life saved

GiveWell, 2022–2024 average (opens in a new tab)

Exceptionally strong

Strength of evidence, as rated by GiveWell

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Modeled, not guaranteed. This is the evaluator's best estimate of the average, built from studies and assumptions. Your gift could do more or less. How to read these figures

The details, side by side

Everything here is copied from the evaluator, with a link to the source.

Measure	Against Malaria Foundation	Malaria Consortium
Evaluator's designation	GiveWell Top Charity	GiveWell Top Charity
Approach	Bed nets against malaria	Seasonal malaria medicine
Strength of evidence	Exceptionally strong rated by GiveWell	Exceptionally strong rated by GiveWell
Works in	DRC, sub-Saharan Africa, several countries	Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Togo, sub-Saharan Africa
Funding gap	GiveWell doesn't publish a current figure	GiveWell doesn't publish a current figure
Other published figures	$6 per bed net GiveWell, 2022–2024 average (opens in a new tab)	$7 per child, per season of malaria medicine GiveWell, 2022–2024 average (opens in a new tab)
Our follow-up record	Re-check after October 1, 2027 (Against Malaria Foundation)	Re-check after October 1, 2027 (Malaria Consortium)

What the numbers can’t tell you

Both numbers are the evaluator's modeled estimates of the average, with real uncertainty. A gap between two estimates is not a measured difference in results.
Each estimate comes from its own model, with its own places, years and assumptions, so small gaps may not mean much.
The strength of the evidence, and whether a charity can put more money to good use right now, matter as much as the headline figure.
Can't decide? GiveWell Top Charities Fund lets GiveWell spread your gift across its recommended charities.

Questions donors ask

Which is better, Against Malaria Foundation or Malaria Consortium?: We don't pick a winner. Both are GiveWell Top Charities. Both figures come from GiveWell, in the same unit and for the same period (2022–2024 average). Both are modeled estimates, so read them together with the strength of the evidence and the charity's funding needs.
Is a lower cost per life saved always better?: Not on its own. A lower cost per life saved means the evaluator's model expects each dollar to go further. It is an average across the charity's whole program, not a price for one life. Estimates are uncertain, so a modest gap between two charities may not reflect a real difference.
Can I give to both?: Yes. Many donors split a gift, or give to an evaluator's fund, which spreads money across several recommended charities.
Are these figures guaranteed?: No. They are modeled, not guaranteed: the evaluator's best estimate of the average, built from studies and assumptions. Your gift could do more or less.