Direct cash transfers have gained significant attention in philanthropic circles, sparking debate about their effectiveness. Unlike traditional aid models, which rely on organizations to decide how funds are spent, direct transfers put money into the hands of recipients—allowing them to address their own needs. In fact, a report and body of evidence by Innovations for Poverty Action strongly supports direct giving as a cost-effective and impactful approach to poverty alleviation. This method is not only more flexible but also more efficient and ensures the full value reaches those in need. Drawn to this evidence-based approach, members of the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation were especially inspired by GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that prioritizes giving cash directly to individuals.
GiveDirectly is a nonprofit that allows donors to send money directly to some of the world’s poorest households, aiming to help end extreme poverty. The organization believes that people living in poverty should have the freedom to choose how to improve their own lives, and that cash empowers them to do so.
Beginning in 2023, the Dignity in Choice, Direct Cash Assistance Team began developing a relationship with the staff at GiveDirectly. Over time, grants were directed to support multiple remote villages in Rwanda. To witness GiveDirectly’s work in action, several O’Neill family members and Foundation staff traveled to Rwanda in 2025, with GiveDirectly facilitating the visit.
At GiveDirectly, the mission is bold but simple: end extreme poverty in our lifetimes. Founded by economists, the organization is built on research showing that when people living in poverty are trusted with money, they use it wisely and can lift themselves up faster and more sustainably.
However, it’s not just about handing out money. GiveDirectly is focused on doing it in a way that’s efficient, transparent, and most importantly, respectful. They constantly gather feedback from recipients to make sure people feel heard, empowered, and treated with dignity.
The GiveDirectly team is also working closely with governments to change how aid is delivered. For example, they’ve partnered with Rwanda on a national-scale cash program funded by supporters like the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation. The goal is to prove that direct cash works—and to encourage governments and global donors to shift more of their social spending toward this kind of high-impact aid.
Their model of giving someone a one-time cash transfer can actually help individuals and families rise out of poverty for the better. It’s an initial investment that offers long-term benefits and may offset its own cost over time by reducing the need for ongoing support.
As a method backed by research and designed to empower recipients with dignity, GiveDirectly aims to end extreme poverty through direct cash transfers. By combining cash with supportive services and recipient feedback, the organization seeks to create faster lasting change. Here are the programs they are currently running:
The William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation has also been a key partner in expanding some of GiveDirectly’s domestic work within the U.S. Their support has also helped fund transformative, domestic programs like:
GiveDirectly stands out for its trust-based approach, offering unconditional cash transfers that empower recipients to make their own decisions, unlike traditional aid programs that often come with strict spending guidelines such as:
In contrast, direct cash transfers remove these barriers, offering recipients timely, flexible support based on their own priorities. Backed by rigorous research, including randomized controlled trials, GiveDirectly’s model has consistently shown positive outcomes such as reduced hunger and stress, and increased spending on essentials like food, healthcare, and education.
In addition, GiveDirectly leverages advanced technology—mobile money, satellite imagery, and digital surveys—to identify recipients, deliver funds efficiently, and minimize fraud and overhead costs. With over $1 billion distributed across multiple countries, the organization has demonstrated scalability and flexibility, rapidly responding to crises and pioneering initiatives like the world’s largest universal basic income pilot in Kenya. At its core, the organization promotes dignity by trusting people in poverty to make their own choices, combining innovation, data, and a human-centered approach to redefine how we address poverty.
What makes the William J. and Dorthy K. O’Neill Foundation’s partnership with GiveDirectly so special is that the program’s mission closely aligns with the foundation’s core values, as both prioritize empowering families, creating stronger communities, driving impact, and promoting dignity.
Family: By giving funds directly to individuals—often heads of households—GiveDirectly empowers families to make choices that improve their well-being, reinforcing the family’s central role in creating lasting change.
Community: Cash transfers often strengthen entire communities, as recipients invest in shared resources and support one another, fostering trust and collective growth.
Impact: GiveDirectly’s evidence-based approach delivers measurable, lasting outcomes. Rigorous evaluations show direct cash transfers significantly improve health, education, and economic stability.
Dignity: Rooted in trust, GiveDirectly affirms each person’s worth by allowing them to decide how best to use the funds, promoting autonomy and respect without paternalism.
“Being in Rwanda with the GiveDirectly team was nothing short of transformative. I was deeply moved by the profound respect, care, and dignity they show every single recipient.” A staff member of the O’Neill Foundation celebrates. “It’s not just what they do, it’s how they do it. Watching the enrollment process unfold with such thoughtfulness and integrity was powerful. Seeing the real impact up close, not just the outcomes, but the human-centered approach behind them — turned me into a true believer in their mission.”
Moreover, GiveDirectly embodies this philosophy by delivering unconditional cash transfers to low-income individuals in the U.S. and globally, based on the belief that recipients are best equipped to choose how to improve their lives.
Hugh Bower, one of the O’Neill family members, notes that during visits to different Rwandan villages, each community had unique needs. One village in a volcanic region had plenty of lava stones for building but struggled with school access, while others faced issues with electricity or water. He explained that cash transfers give people the flexibility to address their specific challenges based on the resources available in their area.
“Some households had chickens and goats, but they didn’t have a cow, and so it’s good that we’re not running a chicken program because some families might already have [them]–that’s a really simple analogy.” He comments.
Connor Sweeney, another O’Neill family member, adds how cash transfers empower recipients creatively, giving them motivation and purpose to pursue their passions and even start businesses.
“I think in addition to the geographical circumstances,” he mentions, “there was a lady in that same volcanic region who used her money to buy a sewing machine and she started a little sewing business where people would give her garments and they’d pay her to fix them up. So, not only did it give them a choice on what their environment allows them to do but you could tell that was also a passion of hers, so now she’s also doing something that she enjoys.” This opportunity allows her to make money doing something she loves.
Together, both organizations champion a shared commitment to empowering individuals through direct support and trust in their ability to create lasting, self-directed change.
Since 2016, GiveDirectly has been delivering unconditional cash transfers to families living in some of the poorest regions in Rwanda, and since then, they have partnered with the Rwandan government to reach the most vulnerable families across the country.
When reflecting on the trip, Hugh Bower admitted that although he was excited about GiveDirectly’s work, naturally, he was skeptical about how the foundation’s money would be used. But after seeing the impact firsthand, he said he learned not to judge until “you really see it in action,” and emphasized the importance of understanding how an organization is working to solve a problem rather than dismissing it (like extreme poverty) as hopeless. After spending time on the ground in Rwanda and witnessing the real-life outcomes, he now feels confident in the foundation’s investment.
Connor Sweeney also pointed out that while the cost of the trip could have been donated instead, the experience created a deeper emotional connection to the cause.
“Because we all went, because we have a more personal, emotional attachment to that now. We all, with a lot of passion, pledged our desire to give money again, and give more money, because we have that connection,” he said. “So my observation is just creating a scenario where people have a stronger attachment to what’s actually going on resulted in a stronger attachment in wanting to give more money and continue that support.”
GiveDirectly aims to expand its impact in the coming years by continuing existing programs, launching new initiatives, and scaling both domestically and internationally. As part of a 10-year goal to reach more people in Rwanda and Malawi, they are also starting long-term research (RTC) to track the lasting impact of cash transfers.
Continued support will be essential to help expand and amplify these efforts, spread awareness about the dignity and effectiveness of direct cash aid, and challenge the misconception that people in poverty misuse funds. GiveDirectly emphasizes that poverty is often a matter of lacking resources, not ability, and that with thoughtful implementation, education, and follow-up, cash empowers recipients to invest in what matters most to them—from livestock to education to community participation—ultimately fostering long-term well-being and self-determination.
Want to learn more about GiveDirectly or get involved in supporting their work? Visit the following resources:
The Dignity in Choice Team believes that dignity and self-sufficiency flourishes when individuals are equipped with adequate resources and empowered with genuine choice. This grantmaking focuses on funding organizations that administer direct cash transfers to low-income populations, both within the United States and abroad, through recurring income initiatives. This streamlined yet impactful strategy serves to elevate individuals, strengthen families, and foster more resilient communities.
