Application Guide
How to Apply for Development Manager
at Parking Reform Network
🏢 About Parking Reform Network
The Parking Reform Network is a small, mission-driven nonprofit leading the charge to rethink parking policies across the U.S. With a focus on advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change, they partner with local groups and policymakers to create more equitable, sustainable communities. Joining this team means being part of a nimble, passionate organization where your work directly influences national policy and urban planning.
About This Role
As the Development Manager, you'll be the architect of PRN's revenue engine, building and managing the donor and member giving funnel from scratch. This role is central to diversifying funding and ensuring the organization's sustainability, making it a high-impact position that blends systems thinking, writing, and relationship-building. You'll have the opportunity to shape the development program and grow into a leadership role as the organization expands.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start by reviewing donor activity and segmenting lists for an upcoming email campaign, then drafting a compelling appeal or thank-you letter. You'd spend time updating the CRM with new donations and following up with donors, while also coordinating with the marketing agency on sponsorship collateral and with the President on major gift strategies. Afternoon could involve analyzing campaign metrics, testing new giving page features, or planning a member drive, all while collaborating via Slack and video calls with the remote team.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Parking Reform Network Is Looking For
- A highly organized systems-thinker who thrives on building processes and managing data, with experience using CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, EveryAction) to track and optimize donor pipelines.
- An excellent writer with a knack for crafting compelling appeals, newsletters, and campaign messages that resonate with diverse audiences, from grassroots advocates to major donors.
- A self-starter who can work independently in a remote environment, is comfortable with ambiguity, and is excited to build a development program from the ground up.
- A collaborative team player who can work closely with the President (who owns major gifts) and an external marketing agency (handling sponsorships) to ensure a cohesive fundraising strategy.
📝 Tips for Applying to Parking Reform Network
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience in nonprofit development, particularly in building or scaling donor programs, and quantify your impact (e.g., 'grew donor base by 30% in one year').
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your familiarity with parking or urban policy issues, or demonstrate a strong willingness to learn, showing you're aligned with the mission.
Showcase your systems-building skills by providing examples of how you've implemented or improved fundraising processes, such as setting up a donor database or creating a stewardship calendar.
Since the role is remote with a preference for Pacific time/Oregon, mention your time zone and how you manage remote work effectively, including your communication and collaboration tools.
Avoid generic language and instead use specific terms from the job description, like 'donor/member giving funnel,' 'revenue engine,' and 'campaigns,' to show you've read carefully.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for parking reform and how it connects to broader issues like climate change, housing affordability, and social equity.', "Your experience in building and managing donor funnels, with concrete examples of campaigns you've run and the systems you've used.", "Your ability to work independently and take initiative, given the role's 'from the ground up' nature, and your comfort with wearing multiple hats in a small nonprofit.", "Your vision for growing PRN's development program and how you see the role evolving into a Director position over time."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore the Parking Reform Network's website and read their recent reports, blog posts, and policy briefs to understand their current campaigns and messaging.
- → Look into their current funding sources (e.g., grants, major donors, sponsorships) and any public financial information to understand the revenue landscape.
- → Follow PRN on social media and sign up for their newsletter to see how they communicate with their audience and what events or initiatives they're promoting.
- → Research the broader parking reform movement, including key players like Strong Towns or the Congress for the New Urbanism, to contextualize PRN's role.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention the organization's mission or specific role details; this signals lack of interest.
- Avoid emphasizing experience in large organizations with established development teams; instead, highlight your ability to build programs from scratch.
- Don't overlook the importance of systems and data; even if you're a great writer, failing to mention your technical skills or CRM experience could be a red flag.
📅 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 Parking Reform Network!