Some causes that might have the necessary general appeal and be improved by throwing vast amounts of money at them:
Actually eradicating some infectious disease, completely, like smallpox. (Is a billion dollars enough to take care of malaria? Boy would that make a difference.)
Clean water—this one isn’t as obviously important to people who never have to think about where their water comes from, but if you can snag attention long enough, there are some good ads for it.
Education for soulful photogenic children. This one is a long-term investment but could lead to immense improvements in the affected areas.
Some causes that might have the necessary general appeal and be improved by throwing vast amounts of money at them:
Actually eradicating some infectious disease, completely, like smallpox. (Is a billion dollars enough to take care of malaria? Boy would that make a difference.)
Clean water—this one isn’t as obviously important to people who never have to think about where their water comes from, but if you can snag attention long enough, there are some good ads for it.
Education for soulful photogenic children. This one is a long-term investment but could lead to immense improvements in the affected areas.
Nowhere near, I’m afraid. Bill Gates has already thrown a lot more than that at it.
Yeah, but what about a billion dollars in addition to what Bill Gates has thrown at it?
http://www.givewell.net/international/health/water
Data re the education?
Data on its ability to accumulate supporters, or data on it improving the areas in question?
Data on scalable education charities with high marginal benefits.
I don’t know of specific organizations with very scalable approaches.