High impact philanthropy is characterized by the following:

• A focus first on achieving social impact – i.e., a meaningful improvement in the lives of others (vs. other concerns such as maximizing the funder’s tax benefit or honoring a funder’s loved one)
• Leveraging the best available evidence in identifying problems and developing solutions
• Linking considerations of cost and impact to understand where the best ‘bang for buck’ lies
• Continuous learning to refine and improve so that you make a greater and greater difference

Watch Katherina M. Rosqueta, our founding executive director, discuss high impact philanthropy at TEDx.