Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Manager

at Spina Bifida Association

🏢 About Spina Bifida Association

The Spina Bifida Association of America is unique as the nation's only national patient advocacy organization dedicated exclusively to improving lives affected by Spina Bifida through comprehensive support systems. Working here offers the opportunity to directly impact a specific community through education, advocacy, research, and clinical care initiatives, making it ideal for mission-driven professionals seeking focused nonprofit work.

About This Role

As Development Manager, you'll lead corporate fundraising efforts including sponsorships and workplace giving programs while managing a portfolio of mid-level donors ($100–$999). This role directly supports SBA's mission by securing resources for patient advocacy programs and building sustainable corporate partnerships aligned with the organization's values.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves managing your mid-level donor portfolio with personalized outreach and acknowledgments, while developing corporate sponsorship proposals and coordinating with marketing on fundraising appeals. You'll likely spend time in Salesforce tracking donor interactions, collaborating with program staff to gather impact stories, and identifying new corporate partnership opportunities aligned with SBA's mission.

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🎯 Who Spina Bifida Association Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably in patient advocacy or health-related organizations
  • Demonstrates proven success securing corporate sponsorships and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns (direct mail and digital)
  • Is proficient with donor management systems like Salesforce and can manage donor portfolios with timely stewardship
  • Understands how to cultivate corporate partners whose values align with disability advocacy and healthcare missions

📝 Tips for Applying to Spina Bifida Association

1

Quantify your corporate sponsorship results with specific dollar amounts and partnership examples relevant to healthcare or disability advocacy

2

Highlight any experience with mid-level donor programs ($100–$999 range) and describe your stewardship approach

3

Mention specific experience with Salesforce or similar CRM systems in your resume

4

Reference SBA's specific mission areas (education, advocacy, research, support, clinical care) in your application materials

5

Provide examples of how you've developed fundraising content using patient or beneficiary stories

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with corporate fundraising in healthcare or disability-related nonprofits', 'Examples of successful mid-level donor stewardship and portfolio management', "How your values align with SBA's mission of supporting the Spina Bifida community", 'Experience with multi-channel fundraising campaigns (direct mail and digital)']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → SBA's current corporate partners and sponsorship opportunities listed on their website
  • → Recent SBA fundraising campaigns and events (like Walk-N-Roll)
  • → The organization's advocacy priorities and research initiatives related to Spina Bifida
  • → SBA's annual reports to understand their funding structure and program impact
Visit Spina Bifida Association's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your approach to cultivating corporate sponsors for a patient advocacy organization
2 How would you steward a portfolio of mid-level donors ($100–$999) to encourage upgrades?
3 What strategies would you use to develop compelling fundraising stories about Spina Bifida patients?
4 How have you used donor management systems (like Salesforce) to track and improve fundraising outcomes?
5 How would you identify corporate partners whose values align with SBA's mission?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic fundraising experience without specific examples from healthcare or disability advocacy organizations
  • Focusing only on major gifts without demonstrating mid-level donor management skills
  • Failing to mention specific donor management systems (Salesforce experience is explicitly required)

📅 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 Spina Bifida Association!

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