Major Gift Officer- Foundations

Where Your Career is a Force for Good!

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview): 

The Foundation Major Gift Officer is responsible for identifying, developing, managing and growing strategic relationships with large private foundations to secure significant philanthropic support to fund the mission of the American Red Cross. This role leads the engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high value foundation partners, aligning institutional priorities with donor interests and advancing mission critical initiatives through multiyear grants and strategic partnerships. Manage an assigned portfolio of Foundation donors and prospects to meet monthly, quarterly and annual revenue goals.  Foundation fundraising in Missouri and Arkansas demands a fearless, tenacious approach persistently securing in-person conversations despite access challenges and strategically leveraging influencers to drive results.  This position is not simply a grant writer role, but an active major donor fundraising role that engages a portfolio of existing and prospective donors in substantive, transformational conversations. 

 
Perform all duties and responsibilities in compliance with standard operating procedures and other applicable Federal, State and local regulations.

 

Ideal candidate will live in Kansas City, MO or St Louis, MO- no relocation is offered for this role.

 

 

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD (Key Responsibilities): 

 

1. Build, Grow and Sustain High-Impact Foundation Relationships 

• Develop and execute ongoing regional strategy for qualifying major foundation prospects and partners with intent to form deep relationships to ensure retention and growth of donor contributions as well as recapture from previous donors.  

• Work collaboratively with other departments and fundraising staff to create customized solicitation strategies matching the objectives of the organization and interests of the donor. Develop donor management plans for entire portfolio resulting in strategic, knowledgeable and complex asks. 

• Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each foundation, grounded in research, relationship history, and organizational priorities. Solicit assigned donor portfolio through face-to-face visits. 

• Identify new foundation prospects aligned with mission areas and emerging programmatic needs. 

• Responsible for minimum annual fundraising goal as specified in performance standards, including both renewable gifts and new incremental revenue.  

* Revenue target may increase due to major domestic disasters.  

 

2. Advance Foundation Funding through Strategic Grant Strategy and Proposals 

• Work in collaboration with regional grant specialist in the development of compelling, data driven proposals, concept papers, and letters of inquiry for large-scale funding opportunities. 

• Collaborate with program, finance, and leadership teams to demonstrate the need as it aligns with major foundation priorities 

• Work in collaboration with regional grant specialist to ensure all proposals and reports meet foundation guidelines, deadlines, and compliance requirements. 

• Support volunteer leaders in peer-to-peer outreach or as influencers for relationship growth and solicitation strategy with identified major foundation donors. 

• Update donor records in region and/or district database following donor contacts. 

 

3. Cultivating Strong Relationships & Delivering Meaningful Stewardship 

• Cultivate strong, trust based relationships with program officers, foundation executives, and philanthropic advisors. 

• Coordinate high level engagement opportunities, including site visits, briefings, and impact conversations with senior leadership. 

• Deliver exceptional stewardship through timely reporting, personalized updates, and clear demonstration of impact. 

• Support cross departmental grant planning and ensure organizational readiness for major funding opportunities. 

 

4. Leading Compliance Efforts & Producing Insightful Reporting 

• Oversee the preparation of high quality grant reports, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with donor expectations. 

• Work in collaboration with regional grant specialist to ensure compliance with grant agreements, including financial tracking, deliverables, and evaluation metrics. 

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED: 

• Education: Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree is highly desirable. 

•  Experience: Minimum 5 years of fundraising experience, sales experience and/or equivalent combination of education and related experience 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 

• Proven experience in developing strategies for donor retention growth and recapture and proven success with complex requests is required.  

• Proven track record securing significant foundation grants (six and seven figure preferred). 

• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and proposal development skills. 

• Strong relationship building skills with senior-level stakeholders. 

• Ability to manage complex projects, competing deadlines, and cross-functional collaboration. 

• Knowledge of philanthropic trends, foundation landscapes, and grantmaking processes. 

• Ability to relate well and work effectively with multiple constituencies and audiences. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Knowledge of office systems: MS-Office preferred and fundraising database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce.com).  

• Travel: Frequent travel within the Region is required. This role will manage major foundation donors across full regional geography including all of Missouri and Arkansas. 

• A current valid driver's license and good driving record is required.  

 

WHAT WILL GIVE YOU THE COMPETITIVE EDGE:? 

• Strategic thinking 

• Persuasive communication 

• Donor-centered relationship management 

• Project management 

• Analytical and research skills 

• Collaboration and influence 

• Adaptability and problem-solving 

• Leveraging Influencers 

• Persistent and strategic relationship-building 

 

Pay Information: The salary for this position is base + a yearly performance-based incentive.? 

 

This role is not eligible for relocation. 

 

Note that 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.?

 

BENEFITS FOR YOU:? 

 

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 up to 6% match? 

• Paid Family Leave? 

• Employee Assistance?? 

• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term? 

• Service Awards and recognition?