What is the Recommended Charity Fund, and how does it work?
The Recommended Charity Fund is for anyone who wishes to support ACE’s recommended charities through a single donation, simplifying the process so that you can easily give to effective charities. This fund supports ACE’s current Top Charities and Standout Charities, and its disbursement is determined by our research team. No administrative fees are taken from the donations made to this fund.
Donate to ACE’s Recommended Charity Fund
The Recommended Charity Fund will be disbursed twice per year (in January and in July) according to the distribution that our research indicates is most effective at that time. Because January’s disbursement falls soon after our annual release of new charity recommendations and July’s disbursement falls soon after our mid-year check on Top Charities’ room for more funding, we will be able to use current information to guide our allocation decisions.
The grants for the current period of July to December 2023 will be determined in January 2024.
In January, we expect to distribute grants to Top Charities and Standout Charities based on how effectively we think they would be able to use additional funding. It’s likely that the most substantial grants made from the Fund will continue to be for our Top Charities, but our decision will also be informed by each charity’s Room for More Funding (RFMF).
Read the six-month progress reports from previous grant distributions:
- January 2023 grants
- July 2022 grants
- January 2022 grants
- July 2021 grants
- January 2021 grants
- July 2020 grants
- January 2020 grants
- July 2019 grants
- January 2019 grants
- July 2018 grants
- January 2018 grants
Past Recommended Charity Fund Grants
In July, we distributed $944,921 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $94,942.10 to each of our four Top Charities, and $51,541.15 to each of our 11 Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after our mid-year RFMF update, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in July 2023 were as follows:
- Faunalytics received 10.0% ($94,942.10)
- The Good Food Institute received 10.0% ($94,942.10)
- The Humane League received 10.0% ($94,942.10)
- Wild Animal Initiative received 10.0% ($94,942.10)
- Çiftlik Hayvanlarını Koruma Derneği received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Dansk Vegetarisk Forening received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Dharma Voices for Animals received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Fish Welfare Initiative received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Material Innovation Initiative received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Mercy For Animals received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- New Harvest received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- Sinergia Animal received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
- xiaobuVEGAN received 5.5% ($51,541.15)
In January, we distributed $1,047,400 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $104,858 to each of our four Top Charities, and $57,088 to each of our 11 Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our annual evaluations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in January 2023 were as follows:
- Faunalytics received 10.0% ($104,858)
- The Good Food Institute received 10.0% ($104,858)
- The Humane League received 10.0% ($104,858)
- Wild Animal Initiative received 10.0% ($104,858)
- Çiftlik Hayvanlarını Koruma Derneği received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Dansk Vegetarisk Forening received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Dharma Voices for Animals received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Fish Welfare Initiative received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Material Innovation Initiative received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Mercy For Animals received 5.5% ($57,088)
- New Harvest received 5.5% ($57,088)
- Sinergia Animal received 5.5% ($57,088)
- xiaobuVEGAN received 5.5% ($57,088)
In July, we distributed $679,276 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $90,571 to each of our three Top Charities, and $31,351 to each of our 13 Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our annual evaluations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in July 2022 were as follows:
- Faunalytics received 13.3% ($90,571)
- The Humane League received 13.3% ($90,571)
- Wild Animal Initiative received 13.3% ($90,571)
- Anima International received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Dharma Voices for Animals received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Essere Animali received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Material Innovation Initiative received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Mercy For Animals received 4.6% ($31,351)
- New Harvest received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations (FIAPO) received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Sinergia Animal received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Standout Charity working in China1 received 4.6% ($31,351)
- Vegetarianos Hoy received 4.6% ($31,351)
- xiaobuVEGAN received 4.6% ($31,351)
In January, we distributed $2,019,702 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $269,293.60 to each of our three Top Charities, and $93,217.02 to each of our 13 Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our annual evaluations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in January 2022 were as follows:
- Faunalytics received 13.3% ($269,293.60)
- The Humane League received 13.3% ($269,293.60)
- Wild Animal Initiative received 13.3% ($269,293.60)
- Anima International received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Dharma Voices for Animals received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Essere Animali received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Material Innovation Initiative received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Mercy For Animals received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- New Harvest received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations (FIAPO) received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Sinergia Animal received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Standout Charity working in China2 received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- Vegetarianos Hoy received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
- xiaobuVEGAN received 4.6% ($93,217.02)
In July, we distributed $439,072 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $49,393 to each of our four Top Charities, and $26,832 to each of our nine Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our annual evaluations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in July 2021 were as follows:
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 11.3% ($49,396)
- The Good Food Institute received 11.3% ($49,396)
- The Humane League received 11.3% ($49,396)
- Wild Animal Initiative received 11.3% ($49,396)
- Anima International received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Essere Animali received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Faunalytics received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations (FIAPO) received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Sinergia Animal received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Standout Charity working in China3 received 6.1% ($26,832)
- Vegetarianos Hoy received 6.1% ($26,832)
In January, we distributed $981,767 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $110,448.79 to each of our four Top Charities, and $59,996.87 to each of our nine Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our annual evaluations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in January 2021 were as follows:
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 11.3% ($110,448.79)
- The Good Food Institute received 11.3% ($110,448.79)
- The Humane League received 11.3% ($110,448.79)
- Wild Animal Initiative received 11.3% ($110,448.79)
- Anima International received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Essere Animali received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Faunalytics received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations (FIAPO) received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Sinergia Animal received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Standout Charity working in China4 received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
- Vegetarianos Hoy received 6.1% ($59,996.87)
In July, we distributed $141,950 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $17,744 to each of our four Top Charities, and $14,195 to each our five Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our bi-annual review of ACE-influenced donations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in July 2020 were as follows:
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 12.5% ($17,744)
- Anima International received 12.5% ($17,744)
- The Good Food Institute received 12.5% ($17,744)
- The Humane League received 12.5% ($17,744)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 10.0% ($14,195)
- Faunalytics received 10.0% ($14,195)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations (FIAPO) received 10.0% ($14,195)
- Sinergia Animal received 10.0% ($14,195)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 10.0% ($14,195)
In January, we distributed $520,445.90 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $80,068.60 to each of our four Top Charities, and $40,034.30 to each to our five Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our annual review of ACE-influenced donations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in January 2020 were as follows:
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 15.38% ($80,068.60)
- Anima International received 15.38% ($80,068.60)
- The Good Food Institute received 15.38% ($80,068.60)
- The Humane League received 15.38% ($80,068.60)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 7.69% ($40,034.30)
- Faunalytics received 7.69% ($40,034.30)
- Federation of Indian Protection Organisations (FIAPO) received 7.69% ($40,034.30)
- Sinergia Animal received 7.69% ($40,034.30)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 7.69% ($40,034.30)
In July, we distributed $45,538.92 to our Top Charities and Standout Charities. We granted $5,692.37 each to three of four Top Charities, and split the remaining amount evenly among our eight Standout Charities. We continue to believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our mid-year review of their room for more funding, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a small grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in July 2019 were as follows:
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 12.5% ($5,692.37)
- The Good Food Institute received 12.5% ($5,692.37)
- The Humane League received 12.5% ($5,692.37)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
- Faunalytics received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
- L214 received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
- The Nonhuman Rights Project received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
- Open Cages received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
- ProVeg International received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
- Sinergia Animal received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 6.25% ($2,846.18)
In January, we distributed $90,754.64 to our Top and Standout Charities. We granted $11,344.33 to each of our four Top Charities, and split the remaining amount evenly among our eight Standout Charities. At this point in time we believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and with the release of our 2018 charity recommendations, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in January 2019 were as follows:
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 12.5% ($11,344.33)
- Animal Equality received 12.5% ($11,344.33)
- The Good Food Institute received 12.5% ($11,344.33)
- The Humane League received 12.5% ($11,344.33)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
- Faunalytics received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
- L214 received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
- The Nonhuman Rights Project received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
- Open Cages received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
- ProVeg International received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
- Sinergia Animal received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
- Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira received 6.25% ($5,672.12)
In July, we distributed $23,930.83 to our Top and Standout Charities. We granted $1,000 to each of our eight Standout Charities, and split the remaining amount evenly among our three Top Charities. At this point in time we believe that our Top Charities present the most effective giving opportunities, and after conducting our mid-year review of their room for more funding, we were confident that they would make productive use of these grants. We therefore decided to grant the majority of the Fund to support their work. Additionally, given our belief in the importance of supporting the excellent work being done by our Standout Charities, we were pleased to provide them each with a small grant to express our confidence in their programs. Funds granted in July 2018 were as follows:
- Animal Equality received 22.2% ($5,310.27)
- The Good Food Institute received 22.2 ($5,310.27)
- The Humane League received 22.2% or ($5,310.27)
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 4.2% ($1,000)
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 4.2% ($1,000)
- Faunalytics received 4.2% ($1,000)
- L214 received 4.2% ($1,000)
- The Nonhuman Rights Project received 4.2% ($1,000)
- Open Cages received 4.2% ($1,000)
- ProVeg International received 4.2% ($1,000)
- Vegan Outreach received 4.2% ($1,000)
During this period, we ran a donation matching challenge that resulted in a remarkable $1,261,846 for our Recommended Charity Fund. Donations to the Fund were directed mostly to Top Charities, but we also contributed a significant amount of funds to Standout Charities in order to support their excellent work. Overall, 75% of funds raised were directed to our three Top Charities, while 25% of funds raised went to our nine Standout Charities. The funds designated for Top Charities were divided according to our understanding of their room for more funding, while the funds designated for Standout Charities were divided evenly. Funds were granted in January 2018 as follows:
- Animal Equality received 31.5% or $397,481
- The Good Food Institute received 25.5% or $321,771
- The Humane League received 18% or $227,132
- Albert Schweitzer Foundation received 2.77% or $35,051
- Compassion in World Farming USA received 2.77% or $35,051
- Faunalytics received 2.77% or $35,051
- HSUS Farmed Animal Protection Campaign received 2.77% or $35,051
- L214 received 2.77% or $35,051
- The Nonhuman Rights Project received 2.77% or $35,051
- Open Cages received 2.77% or $35,051
- ProVeg International received 2.77% or $35,051
- Vegan Outreach received 2.77% or $35,051

FAQ
The Recommended Charity Fund supports only ACE’s currently recommended Top and Standout Charities, while Movement Grants supports other potentially impactful programs or interventions. Movement Grant recipients may include charities and programs that we feel show promise and are worthy of some amount of funding, even though they do not meet all of our criteria for a Top or Standout recommendation. In this way, Movement Grants can be seen as investing in more speculative or early-stage programs, while the Recommended Charity Fund grants exclusively to charities that have been fully evaluated by ACE. Donors who are interested in high-risk/high-reward investments may be more drawn to Movement Grants, while donors who value a strong track record of success may prefer the Recommended Charity Fund.
Each time we make grants, we will consider how best to apportion the funds among our recommended charities. We will make this determination based on all seven of our criteria, but with special weight given to how cost-effectively we think that charities will be able to use the funds granted to them at that time—a consideration that depends on both the charity’s cost-effectiveness and its room for more funding. We may diverge from this schedule to make additional grants if the Fund reaches an unusually high level of resources or if we learn of an especially urgent need for funding at one of our recommended charities.
Yes! Simply go to the Recommended Charity Fund donation page, and click “monthly.”
If you value ACE’s annual charity recommendations and want to support these effective charities with a legacy gift—but know that our recommendations may be different when your bequest is realized—leaving a gift in your will or trust to ACE’s Recommended Charity Fund is a great option. By leaving your bequest to this Fund, your legacy gift will be distributed to our recommended charities at the time your gift is received, according to the methodology outlined above.
For more information about leaving an effective legacy gift, please visit our Planned Giving page and contact ACE’s Director of Philanthropy Heather Herrell.