Application Guide

How to Apply for Advancement Director, Mid-Atlantic

at Parkinson's Foundation

🏢 About Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation is uniquely mission-driven, focusing on improving life for people with Parkinson’s disease through care and research. It offers a remote work environment with a supportive culture, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact in the lives of patients and families across the Mid-Atlantic region.

About This Role

As Advancement Director for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, you will lead fundraising efforts including events, corporate development, and individual giving, directly contributing to the Foundation's mission. This role is impactful because you'll drive revenue growth and community engagement, helping to fund research and care programs that change lives.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your team to review progress on upcoming events. You'll then spend time on donor calls, cultivating relationships with corporate partners, and analyzing fundraising data to adjust strategies. Afternoon could involve a board committee meeting and drafting a grant proposal, ending with a planning session for the annual gala.

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🎯 Who Parkinson's Foundation Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 6+ years of experience, ideally in a healthcare nonprofit, who has a proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals through events, corporate partnerships, and donor cultivation.
  • A strategic thinker who can develop and implement a multi-year growth plan, manage a budget, and lead a small team (2+ direct reports) to achieve ambitious targets.
  • An excellent communicator and relationship-builder who can engage volunteers, board members, and community partners, and who is comfortable with public speaking and networking.
  • Proficient in MS Office and familiar with Raiser's Edge NXT; able to analyze data to inform fundraising strategies and donor stewardship.

📝 Tips for Applying to Parkinson's Foundation

1

Highlight specific revenue growth numbers from past roles, especially from events and corporate sponsorships, to demonstrate your track record.

2

Customize your resume to emphasize experience with healthcare nonprofits or disease-specific foundations, as this is a preference.

3

In your cover letter, mention any connections to Parkinson's disease or neurological conditions to show personal passion for the mission.

4

If you have experience with virtual or remote team management, be sure to include that, as the role is remote.

5

Research the Parkinson's Foundation's current strategic plan and mention how your skills align with their goals for the Mid-Atlantic region.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express genuine passion for the Parkinson's Foundation's mission and your understanding of the impact of Parkinson's disease.", 'Demonstrate your success in fundraising events and corporate partnerships with concrete examples and metrics.', 'Show your strategic planning skills by briefly outlining a potential growth opportunity for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter.', 'Emphasize your experience leading teams and collaborating with boards or volunteer committees.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the Parkinson's Foundation's annual report and strategic plan to understand their priorities and recent achievements.
  • → Explore the Mid-Atlantic Chapter's past events and fundraising campaigns on their website and social media.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the Parkinson's community in the Mid-Atlantic region, including key hospitals, research centers, and advocacy groups.
  • → Look into the Foundation's corporate partners and major donors to identify potential alignment with your experience.
Visit Parkinson's Foundation's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a long-term fundraising strategy for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter? Walk us through your process.
2 Describe a successful event you led from concept to execution. What was your role and what were the results?
3 How do you cultivate and steward corporate partnerships? Give an example of a lasting partnership you built.
4 This role is remote. How do you manage a team and build relationships with volunteers and donors without in-person contact?
5 What experience do you have with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM? How do you use data to drive fundraising decisions?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning Parkinson's or the Foundation's specific mission.
  • Focusing only on one type of fundraising (e.g., events) when the role requires a multi-faceted approach including corporate and individual giving.
  • Not addressing the remote nature of the role; failing to show how you can lead a team and build relationships virtually.

📅 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 Parkinson's Foundation!

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