Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Development Director – Great Plains Region

at Parkinson's Foundation

🏢 About Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation stands out for its dual mission of improving care for people with Parkinson’s today while relentlessly advancing research toward a cure. As a national organization with deep community roots, it offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on a growing patient population. Working here means joining a passionate, mission-driven team that values innovation and collaboration across regions.

About This Role

As the Senior Development Director for the Great Plains Region, you will lead individual giving strategy across a multi-state area, personally managing a portfolio of over 100 major and principal donor prospects. Your work will directly fuel life-changing programs and cutting-edge research, while also mentoring chapter staff and shaping regional fundraising goals. This role is pivotal in expanding the Foundation’s reach and deepening donor engagement in the Heartland.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor moves in Raiser’s Edge and preparing for a virtual meeting with the Regional Director to align on budget and strategy. Midday, you could be on a video call coaching a chapter staff member on a solicitation approach, followed by an afternoon visiting a major donor in Kansas City to discuss a $50,000 pledge. You might end the day drafting a stewardship report for a recent $100,000 gift and updating your travel plans for next week’s donor events in Omaha.

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🎯 Who Parkinson's Foundation Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with at least 7 years of experience, including a proven track record of closing major gifts ($5,000–$100,000+) from individual donors, ideally within a health or mission-driven nonprofit.
  • A strategic relationship-builder who thrives on face-to-face meetings and can skillfully identify, qualify, solicit, and steward high-net-worth prospects across a large geographic region.
  • A collaborative leader who enjoys coaching and developing fundraising staff, with experience working alongside volunteer boards and corporate/foundation partners.
  • Tech-savvy and data-driven, with proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM, and the ability to use donor analytics to prioritize and track progress.

📝 Tips for Applying to Parkinson's Foundation

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific dollar amounts and numbers of donors managed, especially gifts in the $5,000–$100,000+ range.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your fundraising philosophy to the Parkinson's Foundation's dual mission of care and research.

3

If you have experience with Raiser’s Edge, mention it prominently and describe how you used it to manage a portfolio or track moves management.

4

Showcase any experience working with volunteer advisory boards or in a regional/remote capacity, as this role requires self-direction and travel.

5

Research the Foundation’s current initiatives (e.g., Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Moving Day events) and mention how you could leverage them in your strategy.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your passion for the mission and any personal connection to Parkinson’s or neurological disorders.', 'Highlight your major gift portfolio management experience, including specific examples of closing gifts of $5,000+ and your moves management process.', 'Demonstrate your ability to work remotely and manage a large geographic territory, including how you prioritize travel and donor engagement.', 'Mention your experience coaching or mentoring fundraising staff and collaborating with volunteer boards.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the Parkinson’s Foundation’s current strategic plan and recent annual report to understand funding priorities and impact metrics.
  • → Learn about the Foundation’s signature events (Moving Day, Parkinson’s Revolution) and how they engage donors regionally.
  • → Study the demographics and philanthropic landscape of the Great Plains region (states like KS, NE, IA, MO, OK, etc.) to identify potential donor pools.
  • → Read recent news about Parkinson’s research breakthroughs or Foundation partnerships to show informed enthusiasm.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would develop a regional major gift strategy for the Great Plains, considering its rural and urban mix.
2 Describe a time you successfully solicited a six-figure gift from a new donor. What steps did you take?
3 How have you used Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM to track donor engagement and inform your solicitation timing?
4 Tell us about a time you coached a junior fundraiser to improve their solicitation skills. What was the outcome?
5 How would you engage advisory board members to help expand our donor pipeline in the region?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t submit a generic cover letter that fails to mention Parkinson’s or the specific region – it shows lack of interest.
  • Avoid downplaying the need for face-to-face meetings; this role requires significant travel and in-person relationship building.
  • Don’t overlook the coaching aspect; the job description emphasizes staff development, so be ready to discuss your mentoring approach.

📅 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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