Regional Philanthropy Senior Officer

American Red Cross; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental Vision plans

401K with match

Paid Time Off and holidays

Job summary

The American Red Cross in Chicago seeks a Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer to meet fundraising goals, engage donors, and expand Illinois Region support. This role combines in-person donor meetings with remote work and leads the Tiffany Circle program with a $10,000+ annual entry.

You will strategize, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts to advance disaster relief and mission-driven initiatives. Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in fundraising or relationship management, excellent

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of fundraising, sales, and/or relationship management experience.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Current valid driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan with leadership.
• Lead major gifts solicitation of donors giving $5,000+ annually.
• Mobilize donors quickly during disaster relief efforts and adapt strategies as priorities shift.
• Manage a disciplined donor portfolio to meet revenue goals.
• Serve as a primary contact for assigned donors, building trust-based relationships.
• Craft personalized proposals and impact reports to inspire deeper investment.

Skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Please use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox when accessing Candidate Home. By joining the American Red Cross you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best. Are you ready to be part of the world's largest humanitarian network? Join us-Where your Career is a Force for Good!

Job Description:

WHY CHOOSE US?

Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else - it's as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world's largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional, yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better.

When you choose to be a force for good, you'll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life's work with an ongoing mission that's bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you're cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work.

Where Your Career is a Force for Good!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

We are looking for a Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer who will meet fundraising goals and objectives and connect with our individual donors in the Chicagoland area to serve our mission. In this role, you will identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective Illinois Region donors in expanding their financial support of the work of the American Red Cross.This position is part of the Illinois Region Development team and reports to a Director of Development.

This is a hybrid role where you will meet with donors in person throughout the area, work in our Chicago office multiple times a month, and work remote.

You will also lead our women in philanthropy initiative, including the Illinois Region Tiffany Circle. Membership in this community of philanthropic-minded women begins at $10,000 annually. You will build growth strategies to achieve and exceed engagement, membership, and fundraising goals. Responsibilities include managing and executing a calendar of tailored communications along with recruitment, cultivation and volunteer events. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable contributing to strategy, owning the day-to-day work required to bring plans to life, and building a culture of philanthropy among like-minded women.

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD

Fundraising Strategy

• Collaborate with leadership to create and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan.
• Be at the forefront of Disaster Relief Fundraising to drive immediate impact to help donors support urgent Red Cross needs.
• Monitor fundraising performance metrics and adjust strategies as needed to achieve targets.
• Stay organized and on top of donor engagement with regular and consistent updates to Salesforce and ensure effective prospecting efforts.

Strategic Major Gifts Fundraising

• Lead the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors capable of giving $5,000 or more annually.
• Develop and execute customized solicitation strategies that align donor interests with Red Cross priorities.
• Manage a disciplined portfolio of prospects and donors to achieve measurable revenue goals.
• Build a sustainable donor pipeline that drives long-term philanthropic growth.
• Serves as a key leader of our Tiffany Circle program of over 100 members.

Disaster Relief & Mission-Responsive Fundraising

• Mobilize donors quickly and effectively during disaster relief efforts.
• Communicate urgent needs with clarity, confidence, and professionalism.
• Adapt fundraising strategies in real time as organizational priorities shift during emergency response.

Relationship-Driven Donor Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned donors, ensuring a responsive, high-touch donor experience.
• Build authentic, trust-based relationships rooted in strong emotional intelligence and discretion.
• Anticipate donor needs and proactively create meaningful engagement opportunities.

Compelling Communication & Storytelling

• Clearly articulate the Red Cross mission, programs, and impact to diverse audiences.
• Craft personalized proposals, impact reports, and engagement strategies that inspire deeper investment.
• Translate donor interests into meaningful philanthropic opportunities with measurable community impact.

Data-Driven Execution & Process Excellence

• Track performance metrics and adjust strategies to ensure revenue targets are met.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce to support effective prospecting and stewardship.
• Demonstrate strong organization, time management, and attention to detail across multiple active relationships.

Volunteer Leadership & Collaboration

• Inspire and support passionate volunteers who advance the mission.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to align donor strategies with organizational priorities and community needs.
• Represent the organization confidently at events and public-facing engagements.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Strategic, Metrics-Driven Fundraising Leader

• Proven ability to design and execute major gift strategies that achieve measurable revenue outcomes.
• Skilled at forecasting results and managing performance metrics.
• Highly disciplined in pipeline management and follow-through

Authentic Relationship Builder

• Establishes long-term, trust-based relationships with donors and key stakeholders.
• Brings professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence to complex donor conversations.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to a donor-centered experience.
• Leads through influence, not authority.
• Engages volunteers and colleagues with energy, clarity, and purpose.

Agile & Mission-Responsive

• Thrives in fast-paced, high-urgency environments.
• Remains steady and solutions-oriented under pressure.
• Motivated by tangible community impact and mission-driven results.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of fundraising, sales, and/or relationship management experience.
• Proven track record of securing 6-figure donations and managing membership programs or women's philanthropy initiatives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• A current valid driver's license and good driving record is required

Combination of candidate's education and general experience satisfies requirements so long as the total years equate to description's minimum education and general experience years combined (Management experience cannot be substituted).

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $92,000 - 100,000 .

You will be eligible to participate in an incentive plan based on annual individual and organization performance.

The American Red Cross salaries are aligned to the specific geographic location in which the work is primarily performed. Other factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have, and comparison to other employees already in this role.This job will be posted for a minimum of five business days and extended if the applicant pool needs to be expanded. This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

BENEFITS FOR YO

U

We take care of you, while you take care of others. As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive benefits help you in balancing home and work. With our resources and perks, you have amazing possibilities at the American Red Cross to advance the learn.

• Medical, Dental Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• PTO: Starting at 15 days a year; based on FLSA status and tenure
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays
• 401K with 6% match
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance
• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term
• Service Awards and recognition

Physical Requirements:

Physical requirements are those present in normal office environment conditions. Operational flexibility is required to meet sudden and unpredictable needs. Ability to use a personal computer, applicable software, and office equipment for sustained periods of time. May include sitting for long periods of time, driving a vehicle, and working under challenging conditions.

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and any other applicable state and local laws.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency that brings people together through service, and its partners - the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Alums, National Peace Corps Association, and the Service Year Alliance - launched Employers of National Service to connect national service alumni with opportunities in the workforce.American Red Cross is proud to be an EONS partner and share our employment opportunities with the network of organizations.

Interested in Volunteering? Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including our most-needed volunteer positions.

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