GiveDirectly is a work in progress but has the makings of a wonderful org.
Pros
I gave this review a lot of thought and will try to share as balanced of a view as I can about what it's like to work here. There are many positives to working at GD: - People: as other reviews stated, the people at GD are brilliant and kind (often a rare combo). Even though everyone has a full plate, colleagues are happy to collaborate and support with projects outside the scope of their work, within reason of course. - Flat org structure: Leadership is accessible and good at sharing "air time" during meetings. My encounters with leadership have always been positive for the most part. - Culture and values: GD takes its culture seriously. We have a "people" team that provides many opportunities to get staff input on initiatives and solicit feedback on culture. Though it's still a work in progress (see cons), I am heartened by the org's demonstrated commitment to building a strong, positive culture. - Mission: GD's mission is AMBITIOUS and a real example of effective altruism. Our approach to putting recipients first and respecting their right to choose what they do with their cash is unlike many other similar orgs, and I wholeheartedly think it's the way to go. - Salary is fairly competitive compared to other similarly-sized nonprofits
Cons
- DE&I/representation: There is a ton of work going on behind the scenes on moving the needle with respect to DE&I at the org. Staff participate in focus groups, the org has outlined clear goals, etc. That said, even though the majority of staff identify as Black and/or from the communities we serve, leadership unsurprisingly is mostly white. This has been acknowledged and I am eager to see more diversity and representation in leadership as the org grows. - Burnout: Similarly, work at GD can be hectic and cut into other parts of life. Some managers/colleagues are really good at managing this and setting boundaries, but lots aren't. GD often takes stock of which staff members are feeling burned out, but it's not clear what's being done about it. - Ambiguity: GD is more start-up-y than other traditional aid orgs, which is good if you like having a lot of ownership over projects and forging your own path. For others that might prefer more structure and preexisting systems, it might be a harder environment to adapt to.
