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 operates across diverse areas, offering exposure to cutting-edge research and strategic giving while maintaining a startup-like, remote-first environment focused on maximizing social impact through evidence-based approaches.

About This Role

As a Grants Associate at Coefficient Giving, you'll manage the end-to-end grant lifecycle from structuring agreements with legal teams to conducting due diligence on grantees and tracking payments in Salesforce. This role is impactful because you'll directly enable funding decisions that support high-potential projects and organizations, while also improving processes through automation and supporting new legal entity setups that expand the organization's grantmaking capacity.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing grant applications for missing documentation, coordinating with the Legal team on agreement structures, updating Salesforce with grant status and payment information, and communicating with program staff about due diligence findings. You could also be working on process improvement projects, such as automating payment tracking or helping set up documentation for new legal entities to expand grantmaking capabilities.

🎯 Who Coefficient Giving Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years of operations experience with demonstrated ability to manage complex processes involving legal compliance and financial tracking
  • Possesses startup adaptability with experience in fast-moving environments where processes are being built or optimized
  • Exhibits exceptional attention to detail in documentation and data management, particularly with CRM systems like Salesforce
  • Communicates complex grant requirements clearly to diverse stakeholders including program staff, grantees, and legal teams

📝 Tips for Applying to Coefficient Giving

1

Highlight specific experience with Salesforce or similar grants management databases, quantifying how you've improved tracking or reporting processes

2

Demonstrate your understanding of grantmaking compliance by describing a time you navigated legal or due diligence requirements

3

Showcase startup adaptability with examples of building processes from scratch or improving existing workflows through automation

4

Research 80,000 Hours' work and be prepared to discuss how Coefficient Giving's role as their largest funder informs your interest

5

Provide concrete examples of explaining complex information to non-experts, as you'll regularly communicate with grantees about requirements

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with grant lifecycle management, specifically due diligence and payment tracking in nonprofit or philanthropic contexts', 'Examples of working with legal teams to structure agreements or ensure compliance in previous roles', "How you've improved operational processes through automation or system optimization in fast-paced environments", "Your understanding of effective altruism principles and why Coefficient Giving's research-driven approach appeals to you"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Explore 80,000 Hours' career recommendations and research to understand the effective altruism ecosystem Coefficient Giving operates within
  • Review Coefficient Giving's website to understand their grantmaking areas and research focus
  • Research common grant compliance requirements and due diligence processes in philanthropy
  • Look into how other grantmaking organizations use Salesforce for grants management to understand industry standards
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 with missing documentation
2 Describe your experience with Salesforce or similar databases for tracking grants and payments
3 How would you explain complex grant requirements to a grantee who is unfamiliar with legal compliance?
4 Tell me about a time you had to work with legal counsel to structure an agreement or resolve compliance issues
5 What process improvements or automations have you implemented in previous operations roles?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic nonprofit experience without highlighting specific grant operations, legal compliance, or database management skills
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of the due diligence process or why it's critical in grantmaking
  • Showing preference for established processes over building/improving systems, which contradicts the startup environment mentioned

📅 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!