Benjamin Todd

Each person can focus on a specific skill and get really good at it, which lets them be more effective.

Another factor is that the team can also share fixed costs.

They can share the same company registration, operational procedures, and so on.

It's also not three times harder to raise three times as much money from investors.

This lets them achieve economies of scale.

In sum, we get what's called the gains from trade.

Three people working together can achieve more than three times as much as an individual working alone.

It's the same when doing good.

Rather than have everyone try to do everything, it's more effective for people to specialize and work together.

An especially good thing about trade is that you can do it with people who don't share your goals.

Suppose you run an animal rights charity and meet someone who runs a global health charity.

Now also suppose you don't think global health is a pressing problem and the other person doesn't think animal rights is a pressing problem, so neither of you think the other's charity has much impact.

But maybe you know a donor who might give to their charity and they know a donor who might give to your charity.

You can trade.

If you both make introductions, which is a small cost, you might both find a new donor, which is a big benefit.

This shows it can be valuable to join a community even if the people in it have different aims from your own.

That said, it's far better again to join a community of people who do share your goals.

Which brings us to... Finding the right community for you.

The people you spend the most time with have a big effect on what feels normal.

If you spend time around generous people, you'll see generosity as the norm.