Giving What We Can (GWWC) is seeking dedicated individuals to join our governance and advisory boards across our current projects as well as multiple newly formed or soon-to-be-formed entities in different countries.
* Apply now *
About the roles
Our governance and advisory boards will collectively shape GWWC's strategic direction, ensuring that our organisation is robust and that our activities are effectively bringing us closer to achieving our mission. Our goal is to build a diverse, mission-aligned, and strategic-thinking governance structure that can drive us forward.
Across the governance and advisory boards we aim to ensure robust coverage across several domains: strategic guidance, risk management, fundraising, legal compliance, financial stewardship, advocacy, organisational health, and grantmaking.
We are seeking individuals who can leverage their unique skills and experiences to contribute in a significant way to these collective responsibilities. These roles would be part of a global team, working remotely with a commitment of approximately five hours per month. Although this position is unpaid, your contributions will significantly shape our approach to philanthropy and our impact on the world's most pressing problems.
Governance boards
These boards bear the legal responsibilities under the laws applicable to GWWC in their respective geographies and will participate in oversight of the international collaboration. Their duties include areas such as strategic planning, local risk management, legal compliance, financial stewardship, and executive management. Some governance board members will sit on more than one board depending on the jurisdiction and the structure of the relationship between the entities.
Advisory boards
Operating across our various entities, the advisory boards provide insights, recommendations, and strategic advice to the governance boards and the GWWC team. For example, a Risk and Legal Advisory Board would work in tandem with relevant governance board members and staff members from each legal entity and incorporate volunteers with specific expertise in risk and legal matters. Similarly, a Marketing and Growth Advisory Board would provide advice to the international collaboration and to specific geographies. Being a part of an advisory board also provides an opportunity for members to demonstrate their fit for potential future roles in the governance boards.
About Giving What We Can
GWWC is on a mission to create a world in which giving effectively and significantly is a cultural norm.
We believe that charitable donations can do an astonishing amount of good. However, because the effectiveness of different charities varies wildly, it is important that we donate to the most effective charities if we want to have a significant impact.
We are focused on increasing the number of donors who prioritise effectiveness, and helping them to maximise their charitable impact throughout their lives. We are best known for the Giving What We Can Pledge, where 8,598 people have pledged to give over 10% of their lifetime income to high-impact charities. To date, our pledgers — representing over 100 countries — have donated an estimated $333 million USD to high-impact charities, and have committed nearly $3 billion more via their lifetime pledges.
The GWWC team is hard-working and mission-focused, with a culture of open and honest feedback. We also like to think of ourselves as a particularly friendly and optimistic bunch.
In all our work, we strive to take a positive and collaborative attitude, be transparent in our communication and decision-making, and adopt a scout mindset to guide us towards doing the most good we can do, including by evaluating our own impact and learning from the results. To learn more, check out our current strategy.
Our ideal boards
Our ideal governance structure is diverse, robust, and composed of people with a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives that can enrich our strategic decision-making and guide us toward our mission.
We're looking for:
- Domain expertise: We seek members with expertise in areas critical to our work and organisational governance. These areas might include philanthropy, economics, philosophy, social sciences, nonprofit management, finance, accounting, legal and risk management, operations, technology/product, fundraising, advocacy, and community building.
- Diversity of perspectives: We value a broad range of experiences and perspectives, as they bring unique insights and foster innovative problem-solving. This might include diversity in professional backgrounds, philosophical leanings, cultural backgrounds, geographical locations, and personal histories.
- Governance experience: While not required, experience in governance roles (such as board memberships or leadership roles) can be valuable. Such experience might involve strategic planning, financial oversight, risk management, or legal compliance.
- Mission alignment: We want board members who resonate deeply with our mission and values. This passionate alignment helps ensure that our strategic decisions stay focused on fostering effective giving.
- Networks and advocacy: Board members who have established networks, audiences, or connections in philanthropy, social impact, effective altruism, nonprofits, business, academia, or government can help advocate for our cause, build strategic partnerships, and broaden our impact.
We understand that no single individual will bring all of these elements. However, our goal is to assemble a board that, as a collective, represents these dimensions to guide Giving What We Can effectively.
About you
You are passionate about effective giving and resonate with our community values and our team values. You bring robust strategic-thinking skills, have a significant commitment to our mission, and can contribute your unique expertise to our team.
Essential skills, traits, and experience
- A deep commitment to our mission and values
- Expertise in fields such as philanthropy, philosophy, economics, social sciences, nonprofit management, finance and accounting, legal and risk management, operations, fundraising, advocacy, and community building
- Strong strategic-thinking skills to guide our direction
- Willingness and availability to dedicate time to board duties (estimated at about five hours per month)
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse team
Desirable skills, traits, and experience
- Previous governance experience
- Established connections in sectors like philanthropy, social impact, academia, or policymaking
- Ability to contribute to a diversity of perspectives within the board
We value each member's unique contribution to our team, recognising that no one person will embody all these elements. If you are passionate about our mission, resonate with our values, and believe you can contribute in these dimensions, we encourage you to apply!
Location and commitment
These are remote roles that are open to global applicants. The expected commitment is approximately five hours per month. Regular participation in meetings, strategic planning, oversight, and consultations on important matters are integral parts of these roles.
Application process
To apply, please submit this form. We will accept and review applications on a rolling basis with the first batch planned for review after January 4th.
* Apply now *
If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please contact luke.freeman@givingwhatwecan.org.
We are an equal opportunity organisation and value diversity at our organisation. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We are happy to make any reasonable accommodations necessary to welcome all to our organisation.