Application Guide

How to Apply for Chief Operating Officer

at Possibility Labs

🏢 About Possibility Labs

Possibility Labs is a Black-led, values-driven organization building liberatory infrastructure for BIPOC and historically low-income communities. They offer fiscal sponsorship, fund hosting, and donor-advised fund services to support cutting-edge work in ownership, land, and climate justice. Working here means being part of a mission to shift power and resources to communities that have been systematically excluded.

About This Role

As COO, you will lead risk management, compliance, and operations to scale Possibility Labs from 70+ to 100+ partners. This role is critical for ensuring operational excellence while maintaining alignment with the organization's justice-centered values. You'll design frameworks, oversee technology and people operations, and help the organization grow sustainably without compromising its mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a check-in with the CEO on strategic priorities, followed by reviewing compliance reports for partner projects. Afternoon could involve a meeting with the technology team to improve platform scalability, then drafting a risk management policy update. You'd also spend time coaching the people operations lead on culture initiatives and reviewing financial data to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Possibility Labs

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Possibility Labs Is Looking For

  • 10+ years of progressive leadership in operations, risk management, and compliance, ideally in nonprofit fiscal sponsorship or donor-advised fund contexts.
  • Deep knowledge of nonprofit regulatory frameworks (501(c)(3), fiscal sponsorship, DAF requirements, IRS reporting).
  • Experience building scalable systems, managing partner portfolios (100+ projects), and leading HR and culture initiatives.
  • Systems thinker with a data-driven mindset, able to 'hold the whole' and integrate values into operational decisions.

📝 Tips for Applying to Possibility Labs

1

Highlight specific experience with fiscal sponsorship, DAFs, or fund hosting; generic nonprofit ops experience won't stand out.

2

Demonstrate your commitment to racial and economic justice—mention any work with BIPOC communities or liberatory frameworks.

3

Show how you've built scalable systems in a growing organization; quantify impact (e.g., 'managed 100+ projects' or 'reduced compliance errors by X%').

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize risk management and compliance frameworks, not just general operations.

5

Include a cover letter that explicitly connects your values to Possibility Labs' mission; avoid formality and be authentic.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your understanding of and alignment with Possibility Labs' mission of building liberatory infrastructure for BIPOC communities.", 'Specific examples of designing risk management and compliance frameworks in a nonprofit or social impact context.', 'Experience scaling operations and managing partner portfolios, especially with 100+ projects.', 'Your approach to leading with a systems-thinking, data-driven mindset while centering justice and equity.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Possibility Labs' website and blog to understand their theory of change and current partner projects.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the fiscal sponsorship model and how Possibility Labs differentiates itself from traditional fiscal sponsors.
  • → Research the regulatory landscape for DAFs and fiscal sponsorship, including recent IRS guidance or proposed changes.
  • → Look into the backgrounds of the leadership team (e.g., CEO, founder) to understand their values and vision.
Visit Possibility Labs's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a risk management framework for a fiscal sponsor serving 100+ partners?
2 Describe a time you scaled an operations function—what systems did you build and what challenges did you face?
3 How do you balance compliance requirements with the organization's liberatory values?
4 What experience do you have with donor-advised funds and IRS reporting for 501(c)(3) organizations?
5 How would you approach people operations and culture building in a remote, values-driven organization?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with a generic operations resume that doesn't emphasize risk management, compliance, or nonprofit regulatory knowledge.
  • Failing to articulate your personal alignment with racial and economic justice—this is core to the role.
  • Overlooking the need for systems thinking; avoid focusing only on tactical execution without strategic vision.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Possibility Labs!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →