As stated:
This is an unsolicited Op-Ed by an individual who is not being compensated by GiveDirectly, it’s patrons, benefactors, affiliates, or partners.
Calling it an advertisement detracts (and by definition, it isn't) from the essential: that there's good being done.
Also - what a surprise. The article writer owns a marketing and advertising consulting company! With a specialty in social referral campaigns and native advertising! Which is coincidentally exactly what GiveDirectly is focusing on right now.
The lack of money directly exchanging hands between the person who wrote it and the beneficiary doesn't mean it isn't advertising.
It's interesting how this disclaimer says that Andrew isn't being compensated by GiveDirectly and its affiliates etc. It doesn't say anything about whether any of the affiliates of Andrew (such as his business) received compensation from GiveDirectly, which is the much more likely scenario. Regardless, it's easy enough for anyone to claim they're writing something as an individual and not as a service to their own company.