That was the question Bruce Wydick, PhD, professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley, aimed to answer in a new study published in the Journal of Political Economy. Wydick and his team looked at 10,000 adults in six countries and found that those who were sponsored as children were 50% more likely to obtain a college education and 35% more likely to have a white-collar job, when compared to children who weren’t sponsored. “We think this is due to a combination of factors,” says Wydick. “The program provides money for education and other practical things, like health care, but also includes a mentoring program to help them visualize better outcomes for themselves.” Wydick finds this method better than programs that put money towards infrastructure. It’s worth noting that Wydick examined a religious-based organization, which certainly doesn’t appeal to everyone. Still, he has some tips to make sure your money goes to good use, no matter the affiliation: Do your homework. “If the website doesn’t have links to peer-reviewed studies that have evaluated the impact, I wouldn’t donate money to it,” says Wydick. You can also check out charitynavigator.org to see if the money is being used honestly. Then consider who needs your money most: “We find such a huge impact on sponsoring girls in sub-Saharan African, followed by Central America,” he says. Girls in sub-Saharan Africa gain about three more years of schooling and are far more likely to have a higher job as an adult when sopnsored, he explains. “If the gender gap is larger, sponsorship goes further to equalize education.” More from Prevention: How Volunteering Helps Your Brain
