Application Guide
How to Apply for Chief Financial Officer for Borealis Philanthropy
at Ascend People LLC
🏢 About Ascend People LLC
Borealis Philanthropy is a unique philanthropic intermediary that centers grassroots movements led by historically under-resourced communities, funding intersectional justice, narrative power, community safety, and economic equity. Working here means being part of a mission-driven team that directly supports social change, with a commitment to equity and justice in all aspects of its work.
About This Role
As CFO, you will be a key strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team, translating financial data into actionable insights that drive Borealis's mission and growth. You'll oversee all finance and accounting functions, manage budgets, investments, and compliance, ensuring the organization's financial health and sustainability to support its grantees and partners.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your finance team to review cash flow and grant payments, followed by a meeting with the CEO to discuss budget projections for upcoming initiatives. You might spend time analyzing investment performance, preparing board materials, or working with program staff to ensure grant budgets align with donor restrictions. Afternoons could involve strategic planning sessions or one-on-one coaching with department heads on financial decision-making.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Ascend People LLC Is Looking For
- -
- A
- s
- e
- a
- s
- o
- n
- e
- d
- n
- o
- n
- p
- r
- o
- f
- i
- t
- f
- i
- n
- a
- n
- c
- e
- l
- e
- a
- d
- e
- r
- w
- i
- t
- h
- d
- e
- e
- p
- e
- x
- p
- e
- r
- t
- i
- s
- e
- i
- n
- f
- u
- n
- d
- a
- c
- c
- o
- u
- n
- t
- i
- n
- g
- ,
- G
- A
- A
- P
- ,
- a
- n
- d
- r
- e
- g
- u
- l
- a
- t
- o
- r
- y
- c
- o
- m
- p
- l
- i
- a
- n
- c
- e
- ,
- i
- d
- e
- a
- l
- l
- y
- w
- i
- t
- h
- a
- C
- P
- A
- o
- r
- a
- d
- v
- a
- n
- c
- e
- d
- d
- e
- g
- r
- e
- e
- .
- -
- A
- s
- t
- r
- a
- t
- e
- g
- i
- c
- t
- h
- i
- n
- k
- e
- r
- w
- h
- o
- c
- a
- n
- g
- o
- b
- e
- y
- o
- n
- d
- n
- u
- m
- b
- e
- r
- s
- t
- o
- a
- d
- v
- i
- s
- e
- o
- n
- l
- o
- n
- g
- -
- t
- e
- r
- m
- p
- l
- a
- n
- n
- i
- n
- g
- ,
- r
- i
- s
- k
- m
- a
- n
- a
- g
- e
- m
- e
- n
- t
- ,
- a
- n
- d
- m
- i
- s
- s
- i
- o
- n
- -
- d
- r
- i
- v
- e
- n
- g
- r
- o
- w
- t
- h
- .
- -
- A
- n
- e
- x
- c
- e
- l
- l
- e
- n
- t
- c
- o
- m
- m
- u
- n
- i
- c
- a
- t
- o
- r
- w
- h
- o
- c
- a
- n
- t
- r
- a
- n
- s
- l
- a
- t
- e
- c
- o
- m
- p
- l
- e
- x
- f
- i
- n
- a
- n
- c
- i
- a
- l
- c
- o
- n
- c
- e
- p
- t
- s
- f
- o
- r
- d
- i
- v
- e
- r
- s
- e
- s
- t
- a
- k
- e
- h
- o
- l
- d
- e
- r
- s
- ,
- i
- n
- c
- l
- u
- d
- i
- n
- g
- d
- o
- n
- o
- r
- s
- a
- n
- d
- g
- r
- a
- s
- s
- r
- o
- o
- t
- s
- p
- a
- r
- t
- n
- e
- r
- s
- .
- -
- A
- c
- o
- l
- l
- a
- b
- o
- r
- a
- t
- i
- v
- e
- l
- e
- a
- d
- e
- r
- w
- h
- o
- v
- a
- l
- u
- e
- s
- e
- q
- u
- i
- t
- y
- a
- n
- d
- i
- n
- c
- l
- u
- s
- i
- o
- n
- ,
- a
- n
- d
- i
- s
- c
- o
- m
- f
- o
- r
- t
- a
- b
- l
- e
- w
- o
- r
- k
- i
- n
- g
- i
- n
- a
- r
- e
- m
- o
- t
- e
- ,
- f
- a
- s
- t
- -
- p
- a
- c
- e
- d
- e
- n
- v
- i
- r
- o
- n
- m
- e
- n
- t
- .
📝 Tips for Applying to Ascend People LLC
Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with nonprofit fund accounting, grants management, and multi-year budgeting, using concrete examples of how you've supported mission-driven growth.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your financial expertise to Borealis's focus on grassroots movements and equity, showing that you understand their unique funding model.
Research Borealis's current grantees and funding areas (e.g., narrative power, community safety) and mention how your financial strategies could support these initiatives.
Demonstrate your comfort with remote work and your ability to lead a finance team virtually, as this role is fully remote.
Highlight any experience with investment policy development and cash management, as these are key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
- Emphasize your passion for social justice and how your financial leadership can amplify the impact of grassroots movements. - Showcase your experience with fund accounting and grants management specifically in a nonprofit or philanthropic setting. - Provide a specific example of how you've used financial insights to guide strategic decisions or improve organizational sustainability. - Mention your alignment with Borealis's values of equity and intersectionality, and your commitment to supporting historically under-resourced communities.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Borealis's website to understand their funding priorities, current initiatives, and the types of grassroots movements they support.
- → Look at their annual reports or financial statements (if available) to get a sense of their financial scale and funding sources.
- → Familiarize yourself with their recent news or blog posts to understand current challenges and opportunities the organization is facing.
- → Learn about the philanthropic intermediary model and how Borealis differentiates itself from other funders.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus solely on corporate finance experience; emphasize your nonprofit and fund accounting expertise instead.
- Avoid generic statements about being a 'numbers person'—show how your financial skills contribute to mission impact.
- Don't overlook the remote aspect; make sure you address how you'll manage a remote finance team and stay connected across time zones.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Ascend People LLC!