How to apply for Advancement Director, Great Lakes Chapter

About Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation works to make life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. It builds on the energy, experience, and passion of the global Parkinson's community. This role is part of the Great Lakes Chapter, serving Ohio and Michigan.

About the role

The Advancement Director leads the Great Lakes Chapter, implementing revenue development and mission delivery to advance the Foundation's goals. This includes achieving revenue metrics such as fundraising events, corporate development, individual giving, and Ambassador/board development, as well as education and outreach metrics including volunteer development, community partner engagement, and new outreach opportunities. The Director also manages the Chapter budget and long-term strategy for sustained revenue growth.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with the Regional Director and team, developing fundraising strategies, cultivating corporate and individual donors, planning events, and engaging with volunteers and community partners. You may also manage the chapter budget, track revenue metrics, and identify new outreach opportunities. Since the role is remote, you would use virtual tools to collaborate and coordinate across Ohio and Michigan.

Who Parkinson's Foundation is looking for

• Experience in fundraising and revenue development, including events, corporate partnerships, and individual giving.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and develop long-term strategies for revenue growth.
• Skilled in volunteer development, community partner engagement, and building alliances.
• Based in Ohio or southern Michigan, with the ability to work remotely and collaborate with a regional team.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific fundraising results you have achieved, such as event revenue, corporate sponsorships, or individual giving totals.
• Show experience managing a budget and developing a multi-year revenue strategy.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Ohio and southern Michigan philanthropic landscape, including local companies and community groups.
• Emphasize any experience with volunteer management and board development.
• Connect your past work to the Parkinson's Foundation's mission of improving care and advancing research.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: 1) Your track record in fundraising and revenue development, with concrete numbers. 2) Your experience managing budgets and long-term strategy. 3) Your ability to cultivate community partnerships and alliances in Ohio and southern Michigan. 4) Your motivation to support the Parkinson's Foundation's mission and the Great Lakes Chapter.

Research before applying

• Learn about the Parkinson's Foundation's mission, programs, and recent research advances.
• Research the Great Lakes Chapter's current events, fundraising activities, and community partners in Ohio and Michigan.
• Understand the Parkinson's Foundation's national structure and how chapters fit into the regional team.
• Look into the philanthropic landscape in Ohio and southern Michigan, including major employers and foundations.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach achieving the revenue metrics for the Great Lakes Chapter?
• Describe your experience developing and managing a chapter or regional budget.
• What strategies have you used to engage volunteers and community partners?
• How would you build corporate development and individual giving programs in Ohio and southern Michigan?
• Give an example of a long-term revenue growth strategy you developed and its results.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on event planning without showing strategic revenue development across multiple channels.
• Ignoring the education and outreach metrics, such as volunteer development and community partner engagement.
• Applying without demonstrating knowledge of or connection to the Ohio and southern Michigan area.