Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Manager Midwest Chapter

at Parkinson's Foundation

šŸ¢ About Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinsonā€™s Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinsonā€™s disease through care, research, and community support. As a mission-driven nonprofit, it offers a collaborative remote culture and the chance to make a tangible impact on a growing global community.

About This Role

As the Development Manager for the Midwest Chapter, you will lead peer-to-peer fundraising events like Moving Day and Parkinsonā€™s Revolution, directly fueling research and care. This role is critical for expanding the Foundationā€™s reach in the Midwest, building volunteer networks, and cultivating corporate partnerships to maximize revenue and awareness.

šŸ’” A Day in the Life

Your morning might start with a virtual check-in with the national events team to align on Moving Day logistics, then youā€™d spend a few hours calling potential sponsors or meeting with a volunteer committee via Zoom. Afternoons could involve updating Raiserā€™s Edge with new donor contacts, drafting social media posts for an upcoming event, and planning a site visit to a local park for Parkinsonā€™s Revolution.

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

šŸŽÆ Who Parkinson's Foundation Is Looking For

  • A self-starter with 4+ years of nonprofit fundraising or event management experience, ideally with peer-to-peer events like walks or rides.
  • Skilled in building relationships with sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, with a track record of exceeding revenue goals.
  • Proficient in Raiserā€™s Edge and Microsoft Office, with strong social media savvy to promote events and engage supporters.
  • Comfortable with frequent regional travel (by car) and flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for events.

šŸ“ Tips for Applying to Parkinson's Foundation

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific dollar amounts raised and event attendance growth from past peer-to-peer fundraisers.

2

In your cover letter, mention any experience with Parkinsonā€™s disease or other neurodegenerative disorders to show personal connection.

3

Demonstrate your knowledge of Raiserā€™s Edge by including examples of how you used it for donor tracking or event management.

4

Showcase your ability to work remotely by describing past successful remote projects or self-directed work environments.

5

Address your willingness to travel within the Midwest region and work flexible hours, especially for events like Moving Day.

āœ‰ļø What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your passion for the Parkinsonā€™s Foundationā€™s mission and your understanding of the impact of peer-to-peer fundraising.', 'Highlight specific examples of cultivating sponsors and recruiting volunteers that led to measurable event success.', 'Mention your proficiency with Raiserā€™s Edge and how you use data to drive fundraising decisions.', 'Express your flexibility for travel and nontraditional hours, and your ability to work independently in a remote setting.']

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šŸ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • ā†’ Review the Foundationā€™s annual report and strategic plan to understand current priorities and impact metrics.
  • ā†’ Study the Moving Day and Parkinsonā€™s Revolution event pages to see past participant numbers, sponsors, and fundraising totals.
  • ā†’ Read about the Foundationā€™s research initiatives and care programs to speak knowledgeably about how fundraising supports them.
  • ā†’ Check the Foundationā€™s social media for recent Midwest Chapter events and note any recurring community partners or volunteers.
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šŸ’¬ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would plan and execute a Moving Day event from start to finish, including budget and timeline.
2 Describe a time you secured a major corporate sponsor. What strategies did you use to build that relationship?
3 How do you recruit and manage volunteers, especially when committees are spread across a region?
4 Tell us about a fundraising event that underperformed. What did you learn and how did you adjust?
5 How would you use social media and local outreach to promote Parkinsonā€™s Revolution in a new market?
Practice Interview Questions ā†’

āš ļø Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Donā€™t submit a generic cover letter that doesnā€™t mention Parkinsonā€™s Foundation or the specific events (Moving Day, Revolution).
  • Avoid downplaying the need for travel and flexible hoursā€”this role explicitly requires it.
  • Donā€™t neglect to showcase database skills; if you lack Raiserā€™s Edge, mention similar CRM experience and willingness to learn.

šŸ“… 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

āœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Parkinson's Foundation!

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