Application Guide
How to Apply for Chief Financial Officer
at The Ember Alliance
🏢 About The Ember Alliance
The Ember Alliance (TEA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring the relationship between communities and fire on the landscape, a mission that is both unique and critical in today's climate. TEA prides itself on being a just and transparent workplace, valuing integrity, innovation, and respect, and actively supporting work/life balance and employee growth. Working here means contributing to meaningful environmental and community resilience work while being part of a team that values its people.
About This Role
As the CFO, you will be a key member of the executive leadership team, overseeing the financial and HR functions of a growing nonprofit. You will ensure sound financial stewardship, strategic forecasting, and compliance while also developing HR systems that foster a positive and high-performing culture. This role is impactful because your work directly supports TEA's mission by ensuring resources are aligned with priorities and the organization operates efficiently and ethically.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with checking emails and reviewing financial reports, then meeting with the CEO or program managers to discuss budget allocations and forecast updates. You might spend time working on grant compliance or collaborating with the HR coordinator on employee benefits or culture initiatives, and end the day by analyzing financial data or preparing for a board meeting.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who The Ember Alliance Is Looking For
- A seasoned financial leader with experience in nonprofit accounting, including fund accounting, grant compliance, and 501(c)(3) regulations.
- Strategic thinker who can align financial planning with organizational goals and provide insights to guide decision-making.
- HR generalist knowledge, particularly in areas like employee relations, benefits administration, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
- Excellent communicator who can collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including the CEO, board, program managers, and external partners.
- Passionate about TEA's mission and committed to upholding values of integrity, innovation, and respect.
📝 Tips for Applying to The Ember Alliance
Tailor your resume to highlight specific nonprofit financial management experience, including grant budgeting and compliance, and quantify your impact (e.g., managed a $X million budget).
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your personal values and career goals to TEA's mission and values, showing why you are not just a financial expert but a mission-driven leader.
Research TEA's projects and recent initiatives (e.g., wildland fire resilience programs) and mention how your financial leadership could support these specific areas.
Highlight any experience with HR in a nonprofit context, as the role includes 10-15% HR duties, and show your commitment to creating a positive workplace culture.
Since the role is remote, emphasize your experience with remote work, virtual collaboration, and managing distributed teams, and your ability to maintain strong communication and oversight in a remote environment.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your understanding of and passion for TEA's mission to restore community-fire relationships, and how your financial stewardship can enable that mission.", "Your experience in nonprofit financial management, particularly with federal grants, fund accounting, and compliance, and how you've ensured financial health in similar organizations.", 'Your collaborative leadership style and ability to work with a board, executive team, and program managers to align financial resources with strategic priorities.', "Your commitment to creating a just and transparent workplace, and how you've contributed to HR initiatives that support employee well-being and growth."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read TEA's website thoroughly, especially their mission, values, and current projects, to understand their work and language.
- → Look into recent news or publications from TEA, such as blog posts or reports on wildland fire resilience, to demonstrate knowledge in your application.
- → Research the nonprofit's financial landscape, such as typical funding sources for fire-related nonprofits, to show you understand the sector.
- → Familiarize yourself with remote work best practices and tools that TEA might use (e.g., Slack, Zoom) to show you're prepared for remote collaboration.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid focusing only on your for-profit CFO experience without highlighting transferable nonprofit skills, as this role requires specific nonprofit financial expertise.
- Don't underestimate the HR component; make sure to address it in your application and interview, as it's a key part of the role.
- Avoid a generic cover letter that doesn't mention TEA's mission or values; this company is mission-driven and looks for genuine alignment.
📅 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 The Ember Alliance!