Team values are the bedrock of our work at Giving What We Can. They're the standards we set for ourselves, the behaviours we cultivate and the spirit we bring to every task. These are in addition to our community values. They help guide our choices, influence our actions, and ultimately craft the character and culture of our organisation.
At the core of our work is a deep commitment to our mission of creating a world where giving effectively and significantly is a cultural norm. We're here because we care deeply and passionately about building a better world. We understand that every decision we make can change lives, and with limited resources, the stakes are always high. We hence focus on solutions that are cost-effective, scalable, and ensure our efforts lead to meaningful, lasting change. We hold ourselves accountable to spending our limited resources – time and money – in the best way possible to achieve our mission. This means we strongly prioritise among our possible projects, and approach our work with an “80-20” mindset. By continuously evaluating our progress, learning from our experiences, and refining our approach, we amplify our impact. Our commitment is to act with intention and intelligence, always pushing forward in pursuit of our mission.
Example: Maya notices a donation matching campaign is underperforming despite significant staff time. After analyzing data, she determines shifting resources to corporate partnerships would generate more pledges. Though mid-campaign pivots are challenging, Maya convinces leadership based on rigorous impact projections. The change triples pledged donations compared to the original approach. She documents the process to improve future campaign strategies, ensuring continuous enhancement of mission impact.
Related sub-values: Commitment, Prioritisation, Impact-Focused
Our mission is extraordinarily ambitious, and we pursue it with unyielding determination, skill, and a deep belief in what’s possible. We are willing to go the extra mile when we need to, also when that’s difficult. But ambition alone is not enough—we also recognise that real impact requires endurance. The drive to achieve can easily tip into exhaustion, so we consciously balance our high-reaching goals with a sustainable, human-centred approach. We foster an environment that is both dynamic and deeply supportive—where excellence and warmth go hand in hand, and where our ambition brings recurring joy and productivity rather than chronic stress and burnout. There’s humour, humility, and a genuine love for our work, our community, and those we serve.
Example: Priya works extremely hard at EAGx Berlin all weekend, including evening receptions and early starts for coffee meetings. Whilst she knows she’s done a lot to further GWWC’s aims at the conference, she also recognises that this work rate is unsustainable for her and she needs time to disconnect. She takes two days of time off in lieu when she gets home to re-charge - overall doing more for herself and for GWWC in the long-run.
Related sub-values: Wisdom, Grit, Resilience, Curiosity, Sustainability, Compassion
Trust is the bedrock of our operations. We actively seek truth, displaying courage and honesty, even when it's uncomfortable. But integrity is more than just honesty for us; it means initiating open conversations, making principled decisions, keeping our commitments, and being open about our mistakes. We are here when needed and consistently follow through on our promises.
Example: Tom discovers GWWC’s impact calculator has been overestimating donation effects due to his formula error. Though unnoticed, he immediately alerts his manager instead of quietly fixing it. Tom drafts donor communications, updates the calculator, and helps publish a transparent explanation of the mistake. Despite the discomfort of owning his error, this proactive approach strengthens donor trust, highlights his integrity to the team and reinforces GWWC's commitment to truthfulness, better serving our mission.
Related sub-values: Honesty, Transparency, Trustworthiness, Accountability, Reliability, Humility, Courage
Our mission is huge, and we cannot achieve it alone. We foster an environment of mutual support, cooperation, and effective collaboration. We work hand in hand with our team, our community, and all those striving to make a difference. We listen and learn from our community, leading by serving, not controlling. We create a safe and respectful environment that welcomes different points of views and encourages growth. When we stumble, we treat it as an opportunity to learn and grow stronger together.
Example: When Sam discovers a local effective giving group creating materials similar to GWWC's, he reaches out to collaborate rather than compete. They combine GWWC's research with the group's community connections, creating complementary resources. This partnership increases regional pledges by 40% and establishes a model for future community collaborations. By regularly sharing data and feedback, both organisations strengthen their approaches while advancing their shared mission of normalising effective giving.
Related sub-values: Community, Collaboration, Supportiveness, Cooperation, Teamwork, Ownership, Adaptability, Learning, Growth