Career & Volunteer Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Fundraising Event Manager, Greater Chicagoland, IL

The American Parkinson Disease Association is currently seeking a Fundraising and Events Manager (FEM) to join their growing organization. The position is a full-time, exempt, remote based position, but must live in the Greater Chicagoland area, to travel to cultivate donors, and attend events and meetings.

The ideal candidate is passionate about fundraising in a mission-based organization, organized, energetic, and a self-starter with proven experience in achieving fundraising budgets and growing event revenues in a philanthropic environment. This position is ideal for someone with fundraising, marketing, and communications strengths, who can multi-task while prioritizing deadlines, deliver exceptional customer service, and utilize keen problem-solving and judgment skills.

APDA provides an array of dynamic community-based programs and services in the State. The Illinois Chapter is well-established and works in close partnership with APDA’s additional assets in the market, including an Information and Referral Center at the University of Chicago. Currently, the Chapter currently has two staff people with annual revenues of $200,000+, the majority of which is raised through events. The Chapter’s largest event is based in Naperville. The Illinois Chapter seeks a FEM to achieve continued growth and champion development efforts in the region.

AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION:

Every day, the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) provides the support, education, and research that will help everyone impacted by Parkinson’s disease live life to the fullest. APDA is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease, a chronic, neurological disorder, and works tirelessly to help the approximately one million people with Parkinson’s disease in the United States live life to the fullest. Founded in 1961, American Parkinson Disease Association has raised and invested more than $282 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of Parkinson’s disease and ultimately put an end to this disease.

THE ROLE:

The Fundraising and Events Manager is a key member of the Development Team responsible for executing event-based fundraising for the Illinois Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, by developing relationships with and securing financial contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations in support of APDA events, activities and programs, by raising public awareness to maximize service delivery and revenue generation potential, delivering high-quality customer service, and represent APDA to internal and external stakeholders, donors, prospects, and the public. Willing to ultimately help meet the objectives of American Parkinson Disease Association’s mission: “Every day, we provide the support, education, and research that will help everyone impacted by Parkinson’s disease live life to the fullest.”

You will have the ability to:

• Lead fundraising events including Optimism Walks and other event-based fundraising by
  handling planning, sponsorship, and logistics, with direct accountability for goals set forth
  in the annual budget.
• Recruit, train, motivate and manage event committees and event-day volunteers.
• Assist in securing sponsorship support for annual events.Grow third party fundraising events and personal donation campaigns by establishing
• guidelines, resources and outreach methods and assist donors in implementation.
• Serve as a representative at community events, meetings, and networking activities.
• Convert new sponsors into committed supporters. Recruit and retain sponsorships to
  increase revenue goals each year.
• Maintain and broaden social media presence to increase outreach to the community.
• Help maintain the chapter’s website, updating content and links so that users can easily
  find valuable information on events, programs, and classes.
• Create an annual calendar to ensure regular advanced distribution of e-blasts and enewsletters, as well as being responsible for collecting content, development, and
  distribution.
• Increase awareness of APDA by developing and maintaining relationships with media
  outlets; write, submit and follow-up on press releases and stories.
• Recruit, motivate and manage volunteers at all program and fundraising events.
• Create and maintain fundraising event websites.
• Assist in the recruitment, training, and management of the Chapter’s Board.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in business or communications/marketing
  discipline and/or five years’ experience in corporate development or event/fundraising or
  equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of prior direct experience in fundraising and development through events,
  forming new corporate alliances and partnerships, individual and grant support,
  preferably in a non-profit setting with a field-based organization.
• Proven track record of revenue growth and success adhering to budget and timeline
  expectations.
• Proven ability to engage staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and others and lead them
  toward achievement of fundraising goals.
• Willingness to travel around the Greater Chicagoland area and work irregular hours
  including attending evening or weekend meetings or events as necessary to fulfill
  responsibilities.
• Experience in donor database software and user fluency in fundraising databases,
  research tools, and web-based platforms such as wealth/foundation search tools, CRM,
  and online fundraising platforms, such as Raiser’s Edge, DonorPerfect, Safesforce, and
  Qgiv.

  RELATED SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of philanthropic community.
• Ability to establish performance metrics and indicators to measure success.
• Excellent in managing deadlines. Prioritizes and manages multiple projects and
  priorities, with ability to adapt to changes in work environment, competing demands and
  unexpected events, and analyze information to make timely, appropriate decisions.Motivated to meet and exceed fundraising goals.Ability to prospect/cold-call new businesses to solicit sponsorships; comfortable with
  networking.
• Strong computer skills and ability to use existing technology to achieve desired results.
• Skilled in exercising sound judgment.
• Proficient in the latest versions of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and
  PowerPoint.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to connect and articulate the American
  Parkinson Disease Association’s mission and results.
• Highly developed verbal, written, organization and presentation skills, including
  proofreading and public speaking.
• Undertake self-development activities to learn new skills.
  

  SALARY & BENEFITS

• Base Salary Range: $70,000 – $75,000. Annual salary based on background and
  experience.
• APDA has an attractive benefits package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Life
  Insurance, Pension, HSA & FSA spending accounts available; Paid time off in addition to
  standard holidays.
  
  APDA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
  
  Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
  
  Have we described a role that you have been seeking, along with a set of skills you
  possess? If so, we would like to hear from you!
  
  Please forward your cover letter, resume, and reference contact information to:
  Alana McCoy Alana_McCoy@ajg.com


Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers Needed!

Currently, open volunteer opportunities include the following:

• Optimism Walk Committee
• Fundraising/Resource Development Committee
• Newsletter Committee
• Board of Directors
• Office/Admin Volunteer

If interested please contact the Midwest Chapter at apdamidwest@apdaparkinson.org

Volunteer Office Assistant

Summary: The Office Assistant will perform a variety of tasks depending on project deadlines in the APDA office. This will include answering phones and other administrative tasks as assigned by the Program Director. This position helps to extend the resources in the APDA to better assist and direct the needs of our clients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Answering phones
• Data entry
• Filing
• Maintenance of office space
• Other duties specifically around coordination of special events, or as assigned

Requirements:

• Must present a professional appearance and a friendly manner
• Must be dependable and punctual
• Be courteous and personable when dealing with the public
• Be self-directed, willing to take initiative, and detail-oriented
• Respect and maintain the confidentiality of APDA volunteers, partners, and donors
• Computer skills are desired, but not necessary
• Training & Supervision
• Attends volunteer orientation
• Completes office orientation which includes training on the following items:
  • Phone System Tutorial
  • Database Tutorial
  • Filing System
  • Training and supervision conducted by Program Director or designated trainer
  • Evaluation: All volunteers complete a 60-day evaluation
  • Once per week for 3 hours

Fill out the form below to apply.

Volunteer Application - Illinois Chapter

• Name*
  First Last
• Address*
  Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
• Email*
• Phone*
• Preferred Method of Contact*
  • Email
  • Phone
• Skills/Interests
  Please include any skills that may be beneficial to the chapter. If you have skills that are not below that you feel would be beneficial to the chapter, please include this information below in the other field.
  • Sponsorship
  • Social Media/PR
  • Support Group
  • Grant Writing
  • Education Writing
  • Event Planing
  • Database Management
  • Event Logistics
  • Marketing
  • Data Entry
  • Other
• Project Interests
  If you are interested in working on a special project please indicate below.
  • PD Conference
  • Newsletter
  • Education Programs
  • Marketing
  • Optimism Walk
  • Volunteer Managment
  • Fundraising
  • General Office
• Additional Information
• APDA Event Participation Waiver & Consent Agreement*
  by checking the above box, you are confirming you have read, understand and agree to the terms of the APDA Participant Waiver and Consent Agreement
  Participant Waiver & Consent Agreement
  This event/program may involve activities that can include risks such as, but are not limited to, physical injury due to activity-related accidents, falls, illnesses interaction with other participants, effects of weather, and traffic and other road conditions. In consideration of being allowed to participate in this event/program, I hereby assume all risks, including bodily and personal injury, property loss, and any other damages of any kind arising in any way out of my participation in this event/program and related activities.
  As it relates to any infectious illnesses, I agree to follow all Federal, State, local government, and CDC orders, restrictions, recommendations, and/or requirements. I understand that any illness can be highly transmissible, spread by people who have no symptoms, especially indoors, and spread by individuals who do not know they are infected.
  I further understand that APDA cannot protect me from exposure to or contracting any illness while at an APDA event or guarantee that I will not become infected with or spread such infection following my presence there. Therefore, I understand that if I choose to enter the premises, I may be exposing myself to and increasing my risk of contracting or spreading any illness, and I voluntarily enter the premises at my own risk.
  By signing this Participant Waiver & Consent Agreement, I represent that I am in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in this event/program, and I agree to stop and request assistance if I experience any symptoms such as, but not limited to, dizziness, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, pain, or any other conditions which would make it difficult or unsafe to continue.
  I, for myself, and my heirs, executors, and administrators, hereby agree not to sue and agree to release, waive, and hold harmless the American Parkinson Disease Association (“APDA”), its affiliates/chapters and each of their officers, directors, volunteers, employees, sponsors, contractors or agents, successors and assigns ("Releasees"), from any and all liability, claims, damages, suits, debts, demands, and causes of action whatsoever, (including attorney’s fees and expenses), including all claims for negligent acts or omissions (whether caused by the negligence of Releasees or any other person or entity), with respect to any bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, medical and hospital expenses, including for any injury suffered in connection with, exposure to, infection and/or spread of any infectious illness, property damage, or other losses, arising from, or in any way related to, my participation in any APDA event, my presence at the event and/or my use of APDA’s or venue equipment.
  I hereby grant full permission for APDA to use, reproduce, publicly display, publicly perform, and publish my name and image as a participant in photographs, videos, and other recordings (“Images”) for promotional purposes. I expressly release and hold harmless APDA and its officers, directors, volunteers, employees, sponsors, or agents from all claims which I have or may have for invasion of privacy, right of publicity, defamation, copyright infringement, or any other causes of action arising out of the use, adaptation, reproduction, distribution, broadcast, or exhibition of the Images.
  This Participant Waiver & Consent Agreement shall be broad and inclusive to the extent permitted under the State or Province law in which this event/program is conducted and the State of New York. If any portion of this Participant Waiver & Consent Agreement is held invalid, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.
  
• Comments
  This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

53775