Heifer International: A cow, a cup, or cash?

Pop quiz: What do Heifer International and World Central Kitchen have in common?For decades, Heifer International has let us give Uncle Gary a goat for his birthday — or, if we’re feeling flush, an entire $5,000 Gift Ark. But Heifer itself learned long ago that an animal alone rarely changes a life: lasting impact requires training, veterinary care, functioning markets and a way for farmers to actually earn a living. And there are critics: GiveWell has questioned the economics of the model, while Jane Goodall has called on charities to move away from live-animal gifting altogether. In the latest Perdure, we look at Heifer’s remarkable 80-year evolution and ask: what happens when the simple story that raises the money is no longer big enough to explain the work? Perdue is part of the Devex Podcast Network. We also partner with Alliance Magazine. Alliance Magazine has been covering global philanthropy and civil society since 1996 — Perdure listeners can subscribe with code PERDURE20 for 20% off.