How to apply for Funding, Programs and Events on Global Catastrophic Risk, Effective Altruism, and Other Topics

About Coefficient Giving

Coefficient Giving is a grantmaking and research nonprofit that funds programs and events across high-impact areas like global catastrophic risk, effective altruism, and forecasting. As the largest funder of 80,000 Hours, it plays a central role in the effective altruism ecosystem, giving employees a unique vantage point on the most pressing problems and the funding that shapes them. Working here means directly enabling educational and networking opportunities that help solve some of the world's most urgent challenges.

About the role

In this role, you'll be responsible for securing funding for and organizing a wide range of programs and events—from scholarships and fellowships to conferences and retreats—on topics like global catastrophic risks, biosecurity, AI for epistemics, and forecasting. You'll be the driving force behind initiatives that teach new skills, provide career opportunities, offer mentorship, and facilitate networking, directly contributing to the growth and effectiveness of the EA and GCR communities. It's a high-impact position that combines fundraising, event management, and community building.

A typical day

A typical day might involve drafting a funding proposal for a new fellowship program, coordinating with potential speakers for an upcoming conference, and reviewing applications for a workshop on AI for epistemics. You'll balance strategic thinking about which programs to pursue with hands-on logistics, all while collaborating with colleagues and partners around the world.

Who Coefficient Giving is looking for

• Proven track record of successfully applying for funding for programs or events, ideally within the effective altruism, global catastrophic risk, or adjacent nonprofit sectors.
• Demonstrated experience planning and organizing educational or networking activities such as workshops, conferences, fellowships, or retreats, with strong logistical and project management skills.
• Solid understanding of and genuine interest in topics like effective altruism, global catastrophic risks, biosecurity, AI for epistemics, and forecasting, with the ability to engage experts and participants in these areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling funding proposals and coordinate diverse stakeholders in a remote, global environment.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of funding proposals you've written and won, including the amounts secured and the programs they supported—quantify your impact wherever possible.
• Showcase your event planning experience by detailing the types of events you've organized (e.g., conferences, workshops, retreats), your role, and outcomes like attendance, participant feedback, or follow-on activities.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of and passion for the EA and GCR space by referencing key organizations, funders, or initiatives you've engaged with, and explain why these topics matter to you.
• Emphasize your ability to work remotely and across time zones, as this role is global and likely involves coordinating with people in different regions.
• Tailor your application to Coefficient Giving by researching their grantmaking priorities and explaining how your background aligns with their focus areas and approach.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience in securing funding for programs and events, with concrete examples and results.', 'Your ability to design and execute educational and networking activities that build skills and community in the EA/GCR space.', 'Your familiarity with and commitment to topics like global catastrophic risks, biosecurity, AI for epistemics, and forecasting.', 'Why Coefficient Giving specifically—show that you understand their unique role as a grantmaker and research nonprofit, and how you can contribute to their mission.']

Research before applying

• Study Coefficient Giving's website, especially their grantmaking areas and past grants, to understand their priorities and approach.
• Read 80,000 Hours' content on global catastrophic risks and effective altruism to familiarize yourself with the intellectual framework and key arguments.
• Explore other organizations in the EA/GCR ecosystem (e.g., Effective Altruism Funds, Open Philanthropy, Longview Philanthropy) to understand the funding landscape and potential collaborators.
• Look up recent events and programs funded by Coefficient Giving or similar funders to get a sense of what successful initiatives look like.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk us through a funding proposal you wrote and secured—what was the program, who was the funder, and what was the outcome?
• Describe an event or program you organized from start to finish. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• How would you approach designing a fellowship or workshop on global catastrophic risks to maximize impact for participants?
• What do you see as the most pressing funding gaps in the EA/GCR space, and how would you address them in this role?
• How do you prioritize among multiple potential programs and events when resources are limited?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic application that doesn't demonstrate specific knowledge of Coefficient Giving's work or the EA/GCR space—this role requires genuine interest and understanding.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of past funding successes and event organization; vague claims without evidence will not stand out.
• Ignoring the global, remote nature of the role—not showing how you've worked across cultures or time zones can be a disadvantage.