Regional Philanthropy Senior Officer

American Red Cross•Chicago, IL

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The American Red Cross is seeking a Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer to meet fundraising goals and connect with individual donors in the Chicagoland area. As part of the Illinois Region Development team, this role identifies, engages, cultivates, solicits, and stewards current and prospective donors to expand their financial support of the organization. The position reports to a Director of Development and is hybrid: donor meetings take place in person throughout the area, with work in the Chicago office multiple times a month and remotely at other times. The officer leads the Illinois Region’s women in philanthropy initiative, including the Tiffany Circle, a community of more than 100 philanthropic-minded women with annual membership beginning at $10,000. The role develops growth strategies and manages communications, recruitment, cultivation, and volunteer events to achieve engagement, membership, and fundraising goals. The ideal candidate contributes to strategy, carries out day-to-day plans, and helps build a culture of philanthropy. This position leads major-gift and disaster-relief fundraising, manages a portfolio of individual donors capable of giving $5,000 or more annually, and develops tailored approaches that align donor interests with Red Cross priorities. It also maintains donor relationships and Salesforce records, supports volunteers, collaborates with internal teams, and represents the organization at events. The role requires adaptability as organizational priorities shift during emergency response.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of fundraising, sales, and/or relationship management experience.
Proven track record of securing six-figure donations and managing membership programs or women's philanthropy initiatives.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
Current valid driver's license and good driving record.
Strong organization, time management, attention to detail, and follow-through across multiple donor relationships.
Ability to use Salesforce for accurate and timely recordkeeping and prospecting.
Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, high-urgency conditions and remain steady and solutions-oriented under pressure.

Nice To Haves

No preferred qualifications are explicitly identified.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with leadership to create and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan.
Lead disaster relief fundraising and mobilize donors quickly in response to urgent needs.
Monitor fundraising performance metrics, forecast results, and adjust strategies to meet targets.
Maintain consistent, accurate donor and prospect records in Salesforce and conduct effective prospecting.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors capable of giving $5,000 or more annually.
Develop and execute customized solicitation strategies aligned with donor interests and Red Cross priorities.
Manage a disciplined portfolio of prospects and donors to achieve measurable revenue goals and build a sustainable donor pipeline.
Serve as a key leader of the Illinois Region Tiffany Circle program, including building strategies to grow engagement, membership, and fundraising.
Manage and execute a calendar of tailored communications, recruitment activities, cultivation activities, and volunteer events.
Serve as the primary contact for assigned donors and create responsive, high-touch engagement experiences.
Develop personalized proposals, impact reports, and engagement strategies that communicate the Red Cross mission and inspire investment.
Support and inspire volunteers and collaborate with internal teams to align donor strategies with organizational priorities and community needs.
Represent the organization at events and public-facing engagements.
Adapt fundraising strategies in real time as priorities shift during emergency response.