Application Guide
How to Apply for Chief Development Officer
at LUNGevity Foundation
🏢 About LUNGevity Foundation
LUNGevity Foundation is the nation's leading lung cancer organization, uniquely focused on improving outcomes through research, education, policy, and patient support. Their vision of a world where no one dies of lung cancer is compelling, and they are at the forefront of driving change for a disease that often carries stigma. Working here means directly impacting the lives of patients and families while advancing groundbreaking research.
About This Role
As Chief Development Officer, you will design and execute a multi-year fundraising plan to accelerate revenue growth across all initiatives, including research, education, policy, and patient support. You will lead and unify a team spanning individual philanthropy, peer-to-peer events, and corporate/foundation relations, while personally cultivating high-net-worth donors for five- to seven-figure gifts. This role is pivotal in ensuring LUNGevity has the resources to achieve its ambitious mission.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing fundraising metrics and donor pipeline data, followed by a team meeting to align on priorities across individual giving, events, and corporate partnerships. You might then have a virtual coffee meeting with a major donor to discuss a transformative gift, and later work with the finance team on budget projections. Afternoon could involve drafting a proposal for a foundation or preparing a presentation for the board on fundraising progress.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who LUNGevity Foundation Is Looking For
- A seasoned fundraiser with 10+ years of experience, including significant leadership in major gifts, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate partnerships, and foundation relations.
- Proven track record of securing five- to seven-figure gifts and research-focused funding, ideally in healthcare or medical research.
- Experience building and leading high-performing fundraising teams in a nonprofit with multi-million-dollar revenue goals, with a focus on strategic planning and execution.
- CRM proficiency (Salesforce preferred) and strong data-driven decision-making skills, with the ability to leverage analytics to optimize fundraising outcomes.
📝 Tips for Applying to LUNGevity Foundation
Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of securing six- and seven-figure gifts, especially in research or healthcare contexts. Use numbers to show impact.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience with peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate partnerships, and foundation relations to LUNGevity's need for a unified development strategy.
Demonstrate your understanding of lung cancer research and the unique challenges of fundraising for a disease with stigma. Mention any personal or professional connection to the cause.
Showcase your experience with Salesforce or similar CRMs, and include examples of how you've used data to drive fundraising decisions and improve team performance.
Prepare a brief outline of a multi-year fundraising plan you would propose, referencing LUNGevity's current initiatives. This shows strategic thinking and genuine interest.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for LUNGevity's mission and understanding of the lung cancer landscape, including the importance of research and patient support.", 'Specific examples of leading a fundraising team to exceed revenue goals, particularly in securing major gifts and research funding.', 'Your ability to unify diverse fundraising channels (individual, events, corporate) into a cohesive strategy that drives growth.', 'Your experience with data-driven decision-making and CRM optimization to enhance donor stewardship and team performance.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review LUNGevity's current strategic plan and annual report to understand their priorities, recent achievements, and funding gaps.
- → Study their research portfolio and key initiatives (e.g., Early Detection, Survivorship) to speak knowledgeably about where fundraising can have the most impact.
- → Familiarize yourself with their peer-to-peer events (e.g., Breathe Deep walks) and corporate partnerships to identify opportunities for growth.
- → Read about the lung cancer landscape, including stigma challenges and recent breakthroughs, to show you understand the context in which LUNGevity operates.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing solely on major gifts without acknowledging the importance of peer-to-peer and corporate/foundation relations, which are critical to LUNGevity's diversified revenue.
- Providing generic fundraising advice without demonstrating specific knowledge of lung cancer or medical research fundraising.
- Failing to mention data-driven decision-making or CRM experience, as the job explicitly requires these skills.
📅 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 LUNGevity Foundation!