Application Guide

How to Apply for Grants Associate

at Coefficient Giving

🏢 About Coefficient Giving

Coefficient Giving is a unique grantmaking and research nonprofit that serves as 80,000 Hours' largest funder, indicating its significant role in effective altruism and high-impact philanthropy. The organization works across diverse areas, suggesting exposure to varied causes and innovative approaches to maximizing social good through strategic giving.

About This Role

As a Grants Associate at Coefficient Giving, you'll manage the entire grant lifecycle from due diligence to payment tracking in Salesforce, while developing structural solutions to logistical challenges. This role is impactful because you'll directly enable funding flow to high-potential initiatives, removing administrative barriers so program staff can focus on strategic decisions.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing grant applications in Salesforce, conducting due diligence checks on potential grantees, coordinating with program staff about payment timelines, and developing automated solutions to streamline grant tracking. You'd likely spend time communicating with grantees about requirements while simultaneously working on process improvements to reduce administrative burden.

🎯 Who Coefficient Giving Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years in operations with experience in legal compliance, finance, or consulting (bonus points for nonprofit or grantmaking background)
  • Demonstrates exceptional organizational skills with Salesforce experience and ability to create new processes/automations
  • Shows transparent, empathetic communication skills specifically for explaining complex grant requirements to diverse grantees
  • Thrives in ambiguous situations, owning projects without clear playbooks while applying empirical reasoning to novel challenges

📝 Tips for Applying to Coefficient Giving

1

Highlight specific Salesforce experience and how you've used it for tracking complex processes

2

Provide concrete examples of creating new processes or automations that removed administrative hassle

3

Demonstrate understanding of grantmaking due diligence by mentioning specific checks or procedures you've managed

4

Show awareness of Coefficient Giving's connection to 80,000 Hours and effective altruism principles

5

Include metrics showing how you've improved efficiency in previous operations roles (e.g., reduced processing time by X%)

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with grant lifecycle management and due diligence processes', 'Examples of developing structural solutions to logistical roadblocks in previous roles', 'How your communication skills help break down complex information for diverse stakeholders', 'Your approach to handling novel challenges without clear playbooks']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Explore 80,000 Hours' work and effective altruism principles since Coefficient is their largest funder
  • Review Coefficient Giving's website to understand their grantmaking areas and approach
  • Research common grantmaking challenges and due diligence best practices in philanthropy
  • Understand Salesforce's nonprofit solutions and how they're used in grant management
Visit Coefficient Giving's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would conduct due diligence on a potential grantee
2 Describe a time you created a new process or automation to solve a logistical problem
3 How would you handle a situation where grant requirements conflict with a grantee's capabilities?
4 What experience do you have with Salesforce for tracking complex workflows?
5 How do you prioritize when managing multiple grants at different lifecycle stages?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic application that doesn't address the specific grantmaking and Salesforce requirements
  • Focusing only on programmatic aspects rather than operational/process improvement skills
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of due diligence requirements in philanthropy

📅 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 Coefficient Giving!