Our Co-CEO, Jessica La Mesa, recently sat down with our Co-Founder and Chairman, Peter Singer, to explore what’s next for high-impact giving and philanthropy after his inclusion on the inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list, a roster honoring 100 global leaders shaping the future of philanthropy.
For more than half a century, Peter’s clear-eyed moral reasoning has reshaped how we understand our obligations to others, arguing that we should prevent suffering whenever we can at modest personal cost.
Peter’s ideas have inspired millions—from everyday donors to the world’s leading philanthropists—to channel billions of dollars toward high-impact solutions that fight extreme poverty, improve health, and protect animal welfare.
Among his many achievements is co-founding The Life You Can Save with Charlie Bresler. In just 11 years, our community has raised and directed more than US $120 million to rigorously evaluated charities.
Peter continues to refine a simple but demanding message: align every dollar with the greatest possible good, whether you’re a billionaire or on a tight monthly budget.
In the conversation that follows, Jessica and Peter discuss recent cuts to global aid, the promise of evidence-based philanthropy, and why effective giving belongs to all of us.
Interview of Jessica La Mesa and Peter Singer
Jessica La Mesa: Thanks so much, Peter, for joining me today. It was announced that you were named to the inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognizing the most influential people shaping the future of giving—huge congratulations! How are you doing today?
Peter Singer: Thank you. I’m very pleased by this recognition. I think it shows that TIME understands the importance of looking at evidence before deciding where to give so we can donate as effectively as possible. It’s also an acknowledgement of the work I’ve been doing with The Life You Can Save over many years.
Jessica La Mesa: Your work has helped change the way the world thinks about philanthropy, sparking a global movement rooted in evidence and reason. It’s been foundational for The Life You Can Save—not only through your book of the same name but also through your teachings on effective altruism. Seeing high-impact giving in the mainstream spotlight is incredible. TIME created its list to look at the future of philanthropy. What does that future look like to you?
Peter Singer: The future of philanthropy has both bright and challenging elements right now. We all suffered a shock three months ago when the Trump administration froze parts of the USAID program—a devastating move for many initiatives that suddenly stopped, leaving people who rely on them at serious risk. In response, The Life You Can Save and Founders Pledge stepped in with the Rapid Response Fund to close some of the gaps for the most cost-effective programs, those that, by any standard, should never have been cut. We’ve raised funds, but the shortfall is still large. On the positive side, we recently learned that Bill Gates has pledged to give away 99 percent of his wealth by 2045. That’s a tremendous boost. I hope many other ultra-wealthy individuals will recognize that they don’t need vast personal fortunes to live well and can achieve far greater fulfillment by directing those resources toward doing good.
Jessica La Mesa: You’ve always emphasized that everyone, and not just the ultra-wealthy, can make a meaningful difference. For someone wondering how to start giving more effectively, what’s your advice?
Peter Singer: Look to the growing body of online resources that help donors maximize impact. Obviously, The Life You Can Save, which I founded with Charlie Bresler, is one excellent source for interventions that lift people out of extreme poverty. Others include GiveWell and, for animal-welfare giving, Animal Charity Evaluators. The key is to ask, “How much good am I doing per dollar?” Without that lens, you could be wasting most of what you give simply by funding programs that are genuine but not the most effective. Switching to the best-performing charities can yield ten-fold, even hundred-fold, improvements in impact.
Jessica La Mesa: Finally, how do you hope this TIME100 recognition inspires the next generation of givers, thinkers, and change-makers?
Peter Singer: I hope it encourages people to see philanthropy as a realm where their actions truly matter, especially when they focus on extreme rather than relative poverty. When donors in affluent countries direct even modest sums offshore, those dollars can transform lives: keeping families healthy, children nourished, and futures intact. My hope is that more people will embrace evidence-based giving and shift their resources to the most effective opportunities, magnifying their impact many times over.
Jessica La Mesa: Peter, thank you so much for joining me today. Our Co-Founder Andrea sends his congratulations as well—he’s currently in Ethiopia visiting highly effective nonprofits. We couldn’t be prouder of all you’ve done to alleviate suffering and inspire others to do the same. Readers, you can explore the full list of TIME100 Philanthropy honorees at TIME. And if you’re ready to make an impact today, visit thelifeyoucansave.org to learn how we can work together to end extreme poverty. Cheers to the future of giving and to making the biggest impact possible.
Peter Singer: Thanks, Jessica. It’s been great talking with you, and I’m glad that Andrea is out there looking at the project, doing a site visit on the ground.
Jessica La Mesa: Thank you and enjoy the rest of your evening.
The Way Forward
Peter Singer’s place on the inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy honoree list is a timely reminder that smart generosity changes lives. Whether your gift is US$20 or US$20 million, the goal is the same: direct each dollar where it can help the most people, as much as possible.
Three ways to make an impact:
- Research our recommended high-impact charities and choose the one that resonates with you.
- Support the Rapid Response Fund and our cause funds to help sustain life-saving interventions and programs.
- Share this interview with friends, family, and colleagues.
When clear moral reasoning meets reliable data, generosity becomes a force multiplier. Let’s keep that momentum and the future of philanthropy moving forward together.
