About the Role
Are you looking for an opportunity to make a huge difference in the world by improving the lives of millions?
Founding a charity might sound daunting, but it’s more achievable than most people think—especially with the right support. Through our incubation programme, we help you launch a new, evidence-backed charity by providing the idea, co-founder matching, funding, and hands-on guidance. We’ve already helped more than 100 founders launch over 50 organisations tackling some of the world’s biggest problems.
Applications are open until 13 September. To learn more, attend one of our online information sessions or visit our website.
Many people want to have greater impact through their careers, but it is not always clear what the most effective path is. At Ambitious Impact, we believe founding a charity is one of the most impactful things you can do.
Research has shown something remarkable: the most effective charities can be more than 100 times more impactful than the average. At Ambitious Impact, our mission is to launch more of these exceptional, evidence-backed organisations capable of creating transformative change.
Since 2018, we have helped more than 100 founders launch over 50 organisations that have collectively reached more than 75 million people and improved the lives of an estimated 10 billion farmed animals.
Within just a few years of launching, our charities have been recognised among the world’s most effective and supported by leading funders and evaluators, including Animal Charity Evaluators, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, GiveWell, Founders Pledge, Mulago, and Coefficient Giving.
For example, the Shrimp Welfare Project (SWP) was founded through our programme in 2021 by Aaron Boddy, a machine learning PhD, and Andres Jiménez Zorrilla, a private equity professional. Today, SWP operates in nine countries and partners with 11 major retailers to ensure humane stunning for an estimated 6.1 billion farmed shrimp each year. The organisation has transformed concern for the world’s most farmed animal from a niche issue into one featured by The Daily Show.
The world needs more founders willing to build pioneering nonprofits that redefine what high-impact charity entrepreneurship can achieve.
What We Provide
- A research-backed charity idea
- A value-aligned co-founder
- Expert training and mentorship
- Seed funding and financial support
- A global community of founders
Evidence-Based Charity Ideas
Many talented people want to do meaningful work but lack the time or resources to identify the highest-impact opportunities.
Rather than expecting applicants to arrive with a fully formed charity idea, we provide a shortlist of rigorously researched, evidence-backed problem areas and solutions where a new organisation could have exceptional impact.
Our research team spends more than 5,000 hours each year identifying promising opportunities across areas such as:
- Reducing suffering in factory farming
- Improving education quality and employment opportunities
- Reducing environmental pollution
- Improving newborn survival
We are currently accepting applications for two 2027 cohorts:
- February 2027: Frontier problems in farmed animal welfare
- September 2027: Livelihoods & Economic Growth and Health Systems Strengthening
Value-Aligned Co-Founder
Finding the right co-founder is one of the biggest challenges of starting a nonprofit.
Founding alone can be isolating, while partnering with the wrong person can create conflict and derail progress. Our programme includes structured co-founder matching to connect you with someone who shares your values while complementing your strengths.
Expert-Led Training
Starting a nonprofit is a specialised skill that few people are taught.
Our programme is designed and delivered by founders of leading evidence-based charities who have successfully built organisations from the ground up and coached dozens of others to do the same.
Through applied, cohort-based learning, you’ll gain practical knowledge covering topics such as:
- Evidence reviews
- Intervention design
- Operations
- Launching and scaling a nonprofit
Funding & Financial Support
Seed funding for your organisation
At the end of the programme, you’ll pitch to our network of aligned funders. Approximately 95% of projects receive seed funding. During the past 12 months, grants have ranged from US$150,000 to US$190,000.
Financial support for founders
The programme is fully funded and there are no participation fees.
- Monthly stipend of US$5,000 by default, adjusted for local cost of living
- Higher stipends available where justified by financial need
- Participants with lower financial needs are encouraged to request smaller stipends so more funding can reach beneficiaries
The stipend is separate from your future salary, which is determined by your organisation after launch.
Participants who ultimately decide not to found a charity receive an additional three months of stipend plus mentoring to help them transition into another high-impact career. Our alumni have an almost 100% placement rate into impactful opportunities.
Supportive Community
Building a charity can be exciting but also challenging.
During the programme, you’ll work alongside other founders in our London co-working space while also becoming part of a global online community of charity entrepreneurs.
Our network is built around collaboration rather than competition, with experienced founders actively helping one another maximise impact.
Who We’re Looking For
We encourage anyone motivated to create meaningful positive change to apply. There are no mandatory qualifications or career backgrounds.
Successful candidates typically demonstrate the following qualities:
- Leadership potential and the ability to create clarity in uncertain situations
- An evidence-first mindset and willingness to update beliefs based on new information
- A track record of pursuing excellence and achieving ambitious goals
- Ambition to create large-scale positive impact
- Flexibility and openness to working across different contexts, including low- and middle-income countries
- A demonstrated commitment to helping others through work, volunteering, or personal projects
Programme Details
Format
Both 2027 programmes include:
- Two months of full-time online training (living costs covered)
- Two weeks of in-person training in London (travel and accommodation covered)
The February animal welfare programme is followed by a three-month, fully funded remote exploration phase before formally launching your organisation.
Programme Dates
February 2027 – Animal Welfare
- Core programme: 1 February – 4 April 2027
- Exploration phase: 5 April – 5 July 2027
September 2027 – Health Systems Strengthening & Livelihoods
- September – November 2027 (exact dates to be confirmed)
Application Deadline
Applications close on 13 September.
Learn More
We encourage prospective applicants to attend one of our online information sessions to learn more about the programme, our research, and what it is like to found a high-impact charity.
If you’re unsure whether you’re a good fit, the initial application is designed to help you assess both your suitability for the programme and whether nonprofit entrepreneurship is the right path for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
“I want to do something meaningful with my career, but I don’t know where to start.”
That’s exactly why this programme exists. We identify the highest-impact opportunities, provide the research, and guide you through every stage of launching a charity.
“I’m not an expert in animal welfare, health systems, or similar fields.”
You don’t need to be. What matters most is your ability to learn quickly, execute effectively, and remain committed. Many successful founders joined without prior subject expertise.
“Founding a charity sounds overwhelming.”
It becomes much more achievable with the right structure, mentorship, and support. We provide a proven framework to help you succeed.
“I don’t have a co-founder.”
Our programme includes structured co-founder matching to help you find someone who complements your skills and shares your commitment to impact.
“I can’t afford to leave my current job.”
We provide financial support throughout the programme and help founders secure early-stage funding so they can focus on building rather than fundraising.
“What if I fail?”
Launching any organisation involves uncertainty. We reduce that risk through evidence-based ideas, experienced mentors, peer support, and practical guidance. Even participants who decide not to found a charity leave with valuable experience, stronger networks, and access to other high-impact career opportunities.
