Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Director, Philanthropy (Remote)

at GiveDirectly

🏢 About GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is unique for pioneering direct cash transfers as its core intervention, challenging traditional aid models with rigorous evidence that cash is often the most effective way to help people in extreme poverty. Working here means being part of a data-driven movement that treats recipients with dignity and has influenced global policy, making it ideal for someone passionate about both high-impact philanthropy and systemic change.

About This Role

This Senior Director role involves personally closing major, multi-year gifts from ultra-high-net-worth individuals and foundations while simultaneously building and coaching a team of fundraisers. It's impactful because you'll directly fuel GiveDirectly's expansion of cash transfer programs, shaping how major philanthropists engage with evidence-based giving and accelerating the end of extreme poverty.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a morning coaching session with your fundraising team on donor strategy, followed by calls with two ultra-high-net-worth prospects to discuss multi-year commitment structures, and an afternoon designing a new stewardship workflow in the CRM to automate follow-ups while preserving personal touches for top donors.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who GiveDirectly Is Looking For

  • Has a documented history of securing 7- or 8-figure commitments from tech/finance philanthropists or family foundations, not just institutional grants.
  • Possesses an existing network in Silicon Valley or Wall Street philanthropy circles and can credibly discuss impact metrics with data-savvy donors.
  • Is both a strategic leader who can design scalable donor systems and a hands-on closer who enjoys complex, bespoke relationship stewardship.
  • Has managed a team of 4+ fundraisers, with experience coaching them on donor strategy and balancing personalized outreach with automated processes.

📝 Tips for Applying to GiveDirectly

1

Quantify your fundraising achievements specifically for high-net-worth individuals (e.g., 'secured $15M in multi-year commitments from 3 tech founders in 2022').

2

Highlight any experience engaging donors on 'cash versus traditional aid' debates, showing you understand GiveDirectly's unique value proposition.

3

Mention if you've built donor acquisition systems (like CRM pipelines or engagement workflows) to demonstrate scalability skills.

4

Tailor your resume to show both team leadership and personal donor portfolio management—this role requires excelling at both.

5

Reference GiveDirectly's research (e.g., their studies on long-term impacts of cash transfers) to show you've done deep homework.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your philosophy on why direct cash transfers are effective and how you'd communicate this to skeptical philanthropists.", 'A specific example of a complex, multi-year philanthropic deal you initiated and closed, detailing your stewardship process.', "How you've developed fundraising teams while maintaining a personal donor portfolio, balancing leadership and hands-on work.", 'Ideas for scaling major donor acquisition at GiveDirectly, perhaps referencing tech or finance sectors you have networks in.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → GiveDirectly's randomized controlled trials and evidence library (e.g., their studies in Kenya or Uganda) to understand their impact data.
  • → Recent media coverage or critiques of cash transfers to anticipate donor objections and prepare informed responses.
  • → The backgrounds of GiveDirectly's leadership and board to identify potential network connections or alignment with tech/philanthropy circles.
  • → GiveDirectly's current major donors or foundation partners (if publicly available) to gauge their existing philanthropy strategy.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would approach a tech founder who is skeptical about cash transfers versus funding specific programs like education or health.
2 Describe a time you built a system to track and steward major donors—what metrics did you use, and how did it improve outcomes?
3 How would you coach a fundraiser who is struggling to move a philanthropist from an initial gift to a multi-year, seven-figure commitment?
4 GiveDirectly operates in multiple countries with varying regulations—how would you tailor your donor pitches to address concerns about fraud or misuse of cash?
5 What strategies would you use to identify and engage new ultra-high-net-worth donors in the finance sector, given your existing networks?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on institutional or corporate fundraising without highlighting high-net-worth individual experience.
  • Using generic philanthropy language without referencing cash transfers, evidence-based aid, or GiveDirectly's specific model.
  • Emphasizing team management alone without demonstrating personal donor closing skills, or vice versa.

📅 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 GiveDirectly!

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