Application Guide

How to Apply for Full-Stack Software Engineer (S-Process)

at Survival & Flourishing Fund

🏢 About Survival & Flourishing Fund

The Survival & Flourishing Fund is a unique philanthropic organization that uses a novel grant evaluation platform to help philanthropists delegate decision-making to trusted advisors. This creates a more effective giving model that combines technology with human judgment to maximize social impact. Working here means contributing to meaningful philanthropic work through innovative software solutions.

About This Role

This Full-Stack Software Engineer role focuses on enhancing and maintaining the grant evaluation platform that enables philanthropists to delegate grant-making decisions. You'll be working with numerical computing, utility theory, and sensitive data management to improve how philanthropic funds are allocated. Your work directly impacts the effectiveness of charitable giving through a specialized software platform.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve implementing new features for the grant evaluation platform using TypeScript and React, while ensuring mathematical models for utility calculations remain accurate. You'd collaborate on database optimizations for sensitive philanthropic data, participate in code reviews focusing on both functionality and data privacy, and potentially monitor system health as part of the on-call rotation.

🎯 Who Survival & Flourishing Fund Is Looking For

  • Strong mathematical background with practical experience in calculus, numerical computing (Numpy/PyTorch), and utility theory applications
  • Full-stack development experience with particular emphasis on user account management, access controls, and sensitive data privacy/consistency
  • Proven ability to work with the specific tech stack (TypeScript/React, Python, Postgres/Prisma) or demonstrate rapid learning capacity
  • Experience in grant-making, philanthropic platforms, or decision-support systems would be particularly valuable

📝 Tips for Applying to Survival & Flourishing Fund

1

Explicitly highlight your numeracy skills - provide concrete examples of calculus, numerical computing, or utility theory applications in past projects

2

Demonstrate experience with sensitive data management in philanthropic, financial, or healthcare contexts where privacy is critical

3

Show familiarity with their specific stack (TypeScript/React, Python, Postgres/Prisma) even if you need to mention transferable skills

4

Reference the grant-making mission specifically - show understanding of how technology can improve philanthropic decision-making

5

If you have experience with decision-support systems or platforms involving expert judgment, emphasize this heavily

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with numerical computing and mathematical modeling relevant to grant evaluation', 'Specific examples of managing sensitive data and implementing robust access controls', 'How your background aligns with improving philanthropic decision-making processes', 'Experience with their specific technologies or similar decision-support platforms']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • The Survival & Flourishing Fund's specific grant-making philosophy and how it differs from traditional philanthropy
  • Their existing grant evaluation platform (if publicly available) to understand current functionality
  • How they use trusted advisors in the decision-making process
  • Their technology blog or any public technical talks by team members

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Practical applications of calculus and utility theory in software development
2 Approaches to ensuring data privacy and consistency in sensitive philanthropic data
3 Experience with numerical computing libraries (Numpy/PyTorch) and specific use cases
4 How you've handled on-call rotations and service monitoring in previous roles
5 Examples of communicating technical tradeoffs to non-technical leadership about design decisions
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without addressing the specific numeracy requirements (calculus, numerical computing, utility theory)
  • Generic application that doesn't reference the philanthropic mission or grant-making context
  • Failing to demonstrate experience with sensitive data management or access control systems

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Survival & Flourishing Fund!