Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Development Manager, TNKY Chapter

at Parkinson's Foundation

🏢 About Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson’s Foundation is a leading nonprofit dedicated to improving life for people with Parkinson’s disease through research, care, and community support. With a global reach and a passionate team, it offers a mission-driven culture where your work directly impacts patients and families. The remote-first structure provides flexibility while fostering collaboration across the US.

About This Role

As Senior Development Manager for the TNKY Chapter, you will drive fundraising through peer-to-peer events like Moving Day and galas, manage donor relationships, and recruit volunteer committees. This role is pivotal in expanding the chapter’s reach and securing funds for critical programs, offering a mix of strategic planning and hands-on execution.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing donor call reports and following up on a $5,000 pledge. You could then join a call with the Moving Day planning committee to finalize logistics, spend an hour in Raiser's Edge updating donor profiles, and end the day drafting a sponsorship proposal for a local business. Remote work means balancing independent tasks with virtual meetings to keep projects on track.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Parkinson's Foundation Is Looking For

  • A fundraising professional with 5+ years in non-profit events and donor cultivation, ideally with experience in peer-to-peer campaigns like walkathons.
  • Proficient in Raiser's Edge or similar CRM, with strong Excel skills for tracking budgets and donor data.
  • A natural relationship-builder who can recruit and manage high-level volunteers, committees, and diverse stakeholders.
  • Self-motivated and detail-oriented, able to juggle multiple projects (e.g., planning a gala while stewarding donors) and meet aggressive fundraising goals.

📝 Tips for Applying to Parkinson's Foundation

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific fundraising metrics (e.g., 'grew Moving Day revenue by 20%') and event logistics experience.

2

In your cover letter, mention familiarity with Parkinson’s disease or a personal connection to the cause to show genuine passion.

3

Demonstrate experience with Raiser's Edge by listing it prominently in your skills section and describing how you used it for donor tracking.

4

Research the TNKY chapter’s past events and mention specific ideas for improving Moving Day attendance or donor engagement.

5

Prepare a brief example of how you recruited and motivated a volunteer committee, as this is a key requirement.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Express deep alignment with the Foundation’s mission to improve lives for Parkinson’s patients and families.', "Quantify your fundraising success (e.g., '$X raised through Y events') and ability to secure gifts up to $10,000.", 'Emphasize your experience managing volunteers and committees, including onboarding and retention strategies.', 'Highlight your adaptability to remote work and self-driven project management skills.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the Parkinson’s Foundation’s strategic plan and recent annual report to understand funding priorities.
  • → Look up the TNKY chapter’s past Moving Day and gala results to identify growth opportunities.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Parkinson’s disease basics and current research to speak knowledgeably.
  • → Explore the Foundation’s volunteer leadership structure to understand committee dynamics.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you plan and execute a Moving Day event from start to finish, including budget management?
2 Describe a time you successfully solicited a $5,000+ gift and how you stewarded the donor afterward.
3 How do you recruit and motivate volunteers, especially for committee roles with high expectations?
4 Tell us about a challenging fundraising event you managed and how you overcame obstacles.
5 How do you prioritize multiple projects with tight deadlines while maintaining donor relationships?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter without mentioning Parkinson’s or the TNKY chapter specifically.
  • Overlooking the volunteer management aspect—this role requires strong people skills, not just event planning.
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of fundraising results or donor cultivation 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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