The SCI Foundation (SCI), formerly known as the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, is a charity that works with governments in sub-Saharan Africa to create or scale up deworming programs.
SCI was founded in 2002 as an initiative within Imperial College London with a £20 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.[1] In 2019, SCI became an independent organization, adopting its current name.[1]
SCI has been a GiveWell top-rated charity since 2011.[2] [3] GiveWell estimates that SCI can deworm a child at a cost of around $1.[4][5]
As of May 2022, SCI Foundation has received over $3.1 million in funding from Open Philanthropy,[6] and is also featured in The Life You Can Save's list of "best charities".[7]
GiveWell (2021) All content on SCI Foundation, GiveWell, November.
Sánchez, Sebastián et al. (2019) Timeline of Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Timelines Wiki, March 9 (updated 16 April 2021).
SCI Foundation. Official website.
SCI Foundation (2020) Our history, SCI Foundation.
GiveWell (2021) 2021 GiveWell cost-effectiveness analysis — version 3, GiveWell, July 6.
For the year 2019, GiveWell maintained their recommendation, but noted that while "SCI offers donors an outstanding opportunity to accomplish good with their donations [...], at this time, it does not have capacity to use new donations effectively."[8] This notice was removed in 2020.
GiveWell (2021) SCI Foundation, GiveWell, November.
GiveWell (2021) Our top charities, GiveWell, November.
Open Philanthropy (2022) Grants database, Open Philanthropy.
The Life You Can Save (2021) Best charities, The Life You Can Save.
GiveWell (2019) Our top charities, GiveWell, November.