Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Development Manager, Carolinas Chapter

at Parkinson's Foundation

🏢 About Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation is uniquely dedicated to improving care for people with Parkinson's disease while advancing research toward a cure. With a strong emphasis on community engagement through events like Moving Day and Parkinson's Revolution, the Foundation empowers local chapters to drive meaningful impact. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that values innovation, collaboration, and making a tangible difference in the lives of millions.

About This Role

As the Senior Development Manager for the Carolinas Chapter, you will lead critical community fundraising events that directly support research and patient services. This role is pivotal in building relationships with donors, sponsors, and volunteers to drive revenue and expand the Foundation's reach. Your work will ensure the success of signature events while fostering a vibrant community of supporters committed to ending Parkinson's.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing fundraising progress against goals in Raiser's Edge, followed by a call with a corporate sponsor to discuss partnership opportunities for Moving Day. Afternoon could involve a virtual meeting with the event committee to plan logistics, followed by drafting a thank-you note to a top fundraising team. You'll also spend time analyzing past event data to identify growth areas and preparing a budget report for the Executive Director.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Parkinson's Foundation Is Looking For

  • A seasoned fundraiser with 5+ years of peer-to-peer event experience, ideally in a nonprofit setting, who can demonstrate a track record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
  • A skilled volunteer manager who excels at recruiting, training, and motivating high-level volunteers and committee members to take ownership of event components.
  • A data-driven professional proficient in Raiser's Edge or similar CRM, comfortable with budget tracking, revenue forecasting, and reporting to leadership.
  • A charismatic communicator who can build authentic relationships with corporate partners, sponsors, and diverse community stakeholders across the Carolinas.

📝 Tips for Applying to Parkinson's Foundation

1

1. Tailor your resume to highlight specific peer-to-peer fundraising events you've managed, including revenue achieved and percentage growth year-over-year.

2

2. In your cover letter, mention familiarity with Moving Day or Parkinson's Revolution events, and explain how you would leverage your experience to enhance participation.

3

3. Showcase your volunteer management experience by detailing how you've recruited, trained, and retained committee members or event captains.

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4. Demonstrate your analytical skills by including examples of how you used data to improve event performance or donor engagement.

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5. Research the Foundation's strategic plan and mention how your goals align with their mission to 'make life better' for people with Parkinson's.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for the Parkinson's cause and personal connection (if any) to the community.", "Highlight specific examples of successful peer-to-peer fundraising events you've led, including revenue and participation metrics.", "Demonstrate your ability to manage budgets and track progress against goals, using tools like Raiser's Edge.", 'Convey your experience in building corporate partnerships and recruiting high-level volunteers.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → 1. Review the Foundation's annual report and strategic plan to understand current priorities and recent achievements.
  • → 2. Familiarize yourself with the Moving Day and Parkinson's Revolution event pages, including past participant numbers and sponsors.
  • → 3. Look up the Carolinas Chapter's social media and news to understand local community engagement and key challenges.
  • → 4. Understand the competitive landscape of Parkinson's nonprofits and how the Foundation differentiates itself.
Visit Parkinson's Foundation's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 1. Describe a time you turned around an underperforming fundraising event. What steps did you take and what was the outcome?
2 2. How do you recruit and retain high-level volunteers? Give an example of a committee you built or managed.
3 3. How do you use data to drive fundraising decisions? Walk us through your process for tracking and reporting.
4 4. What strategies would you use to engage corporate sponsors in the Carolinas for Moving Day or Parkinson's Revolution?
5 5. How do you stay organized when managing multiple events and deadlines? Share your project management approach.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • 1. Submitting a generic cover letter without mentioning Parkinson's or the specific events (Moving Day/Revolution).
  • 2. Overlooking the importance of volunteer management skills – don't just list fundraising experience without showing how you lead people.
  • 3. Failing to provide concrete metrics or examples of revenue growth, team expansion, or budget management in your application.

📅 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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