Nonprofit OPT Jobs in Illinois
F-1 OPT nonprofit jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, where organizations like the American Medical Association, United Way of Metro Chicago, and Heartland Alliance regularly hire international graduates. Illinois's dense network of health-focused nonprofits, education advocacy groups, and social services organizations makes it one of the stronger states for OPT-eligible candidates pursuing mission-driven work.
Find Nonprofit JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 34+ Nonprofit OPT Jobs in Illinois
See all 34+ Nonprofit OPT Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Nonprofit OPT Jobs in Illinois.
Get Access To All JobsOverview
Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.
The Digital Fundraising Strategy Lead is responsible for the strategy, creation, execution, and performance optimization of digital communications that support peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives. This is a remote and flexible location position.
The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.
TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.
Responsibilities
This role leads the development of compelling digital content across email, SMS, paid media, social messaging, video, audio, and written channels to recruit, engage, coach, steward, and retain participants and donors. This position serves as the organization's subject matter expert for digital campaign performance, leveraging analytics and audience insights to continuously optimize engagement, fundraising outcomes, and participant experiences. The Digital Content Lead collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and field teams to ensure digital communications align with fundraising objectives and organizational priorities.
Digital Campaign Strategy & Execution
- Lead the planning, development, and deployment of multi-channel digital campaigns supporting peer-to-peer fundraising programs and events.
- Manage the creation and production of digital content, including:
- Email copy and design
- Digital advertising assets
- Video and audio content
- SMS and mobile messaging
- Social messaging content
- Coordinate campaign development from concept through deployment, including copy approval, creative design, testing, quality assurance, and launch.
- Partner with internal teams and external vendors to execute innovative digital engagement strategies.
- Manage paid media strategy and campaign performance in collaboration with agency partners and vendors.
Channel Management
Oversee and optimize communications across the following platforms:
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud Journeys
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud Email Campaigns
- SMS/Text Messaging Platforms (including 360SMS preferred)
- Facebook Messenger
- Paid Media Platforms
- Emerging digital engagement channels as appropriate
Analytics, Reporting & Optimization
The ideal candidate is highly analytical, data-driven, and passionate about using insights to improve performance.
- Continuously monitor campaign performance and identify opportunities for optimization.
- Analyze engagement, conversion, fundraising, and retention metrics across all digital channels.
- Develop and distribute campaign performance reports, including:
- Journey-level reporting
- Email performance analysis
- Paid media performance analysis
- Ad hoc campaign reporting
- Synthesize findings into actionable recommendations and present performance insights to stakeholders.
- Conduct year-over-year and season-over-season analyses to uncover trends, opportunities, and best practices.
- Create, analyze, and distribute monthly and seasonal participant survey reports.
- Facilitate discussions with fundraising teams to review findings and recommend strategic improvements.
- Utilize Google Analytics, Marketing Cloud reporting tools, and other analytics platforms to measure success and guide decision-making.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Three (3) years minimum of prior related experience. 5–7 years of experience in digital marketing, digital fundraising, campaign management, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Experience working within or strong understanding of nonprofit and fundraising environments.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic digital marketing plans.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and recommendations.
- Proven ability to build productive relationships with staff, vendors, volunteers, and external partners.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to adapt strategies quickly based on performance data and changing business needs.
Technical Skills
Experience with the following platforms and tools:
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud
- Google Analytics
- Tableau
- Figma
- Canva
- Asana
- Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred
- Experience with peer-to-peer fundraising programs.
- Experience managing paid media campaigns and agency/vendor relationships.
- Experience with Salesforce CRM.
- Experience with 360SMS or similar SMS marketing platforms.
- Knowledge of donor and participant lifecycle marketing strategies.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
- Ability to work independently while effectively managing competing priorities.
- Demonstrated expertise across multiple facets of digital fundraising, including acquisition, engagement, stewardship, retention, and conversion optimization.
Compensation & Benefits
The expected pay range is $105,000 - $115,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.
The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.
- Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
- Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.
- Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
- Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
- Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
- Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.
The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.
At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.
This position not a match with your skills? Click here to see other opportunities.
In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities
LI-Remote
Join our Talent Community!
Join our Talent Community to receive updates on new opportunities and future events.
Default: Location: US-TX-Dallas
Posted Date 2 months ago (7/24/2026 4:07 PM)
Requisition ID 2026-17853
Job Category Field Campaigns
Position Type Full Time
American Heart Association Offers
- Health Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
- Disability & Insurance
- Well onTarget – Wellness Program
- Holidays & Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Overview
Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.
The Digital Fundraising Strategy Lead is responsible for the strategy, creation, execution, and performance optimization of digital communications that support peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives. This is a remote and flexible location position.
The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.
TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.
Responsibilities
This role leads the development of compelling digital content across email, SMS, paid media, social messaging, video, audio, and written channels to recruit, engage, coach, steward, and retain participants and donors. This position serves as the organization's subject matter expert for digital campaign performance, leveraging analytics and audience insights to continuously optimize engagement, fundraising outcomes, and participant experiences. The Digital Content Lead collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and field teams to ensure digital communications align with fundraising objectives and organizational priorities.
Digital Campaign Strategy & Execution
- Lead the planning, development, and deployment of multi-channel digital campaigns supporting peer-to-peer fundraising programs and events.
- Manage the creation and production of digital content, including:
- Email copy and design
- Digital advertising assets
- Video and audio content
- SMS and mobile messaging
- Social messaging content
- Coordinate campaign development from concept through deployment, including copy approval, creative design, testing, quality assurance, and launch.
- Partner with internal teams and external vendors to execute innovative digital engagement strategies.
- Manage paid media strategy and campaign performance in collaboration with agency partners and vendors.
Channel Management
Oversee and optimize communications across the following platforms:
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud Journeys
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud Email Campaigns
- SMS/Text Messaging Platforms (including 360SMS preferred)
- Facebook Messenger
- Paid Media Platforms
- Emerging digital engagement channels as appropriate
Analytics, Reporting & Optimization
The ideal candidate is highly analytical, data-driven, and passionate about using insights to improve performance.
- Continuously monitor campaign performance and identify opportunities for optimization.
- Analyze engagement, conversion, fundraising, and retention metrics across all digital channels.
- Develop and distribute campaign performance reports, including:
- Journey-level reporting
- Email performance analysis
- Paid media performance analysis
- Ad hoc campaign reporting
- Synthesize findings into actionable recommendations and present performance insights to stakeholders.
- Conduct year-over-year and season-over-season analyses to uncover trends, opportunities, and best practices.
- Create, analyze, and distribute monthly and seasonal participant survey reports.
- Facilitate discussions with fundraising teams to review findings and recommend strategic improvements.
- Utilize Google Analytics, Marketing Cloud reporting tools, and other analytics platforms to measure success and guide decision-making.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Three (3) years minimum of prior related experience. 5–7 years of experience in digital marketing, digital fundraising, campaign management, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Experience working within or strong understanding of nonprofit and fundraising environments.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic digital marketing plans.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and recommendations.
- Proven ability to build productive relationships with staff, vendors, volunteers, and external partners.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to adapt strategies quickly based on performance data and changing business needs.
Technical Skills
Experience with the following platforms and tools:
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud
- Google Analytics
- Tableau
- Figma
- Canva
- Asana
- Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred
- Experience with peer-to-peer fundraising programs.
- Experience managing paid media campaigns and agency/vendor relationships.
- Experience with Salesforce CRM.
- Experience with 360SMS or similar SMS marketing platforms.
- Knowledge of donor and participant lifecycle marketing strategies.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
- Ability to work independently while effectively managing competing priorities.
- Demonstrated expertise across multiple facets of digital fundraising, including acquisition, engagement, stewardship, retention, and conversion optimization.
Compensation & Benefits
The expected pay range is $105,000 - $115,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.
The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.
- Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
- Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.
- Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
- Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
- Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
- Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.
The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.
At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.
This position not a match with your skills? Click here to see other opportunities.
In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities
LI-Remote
Join our Talent Community!
Join our Talent Community to receive updates on new opportunities and future events.
Default: Location: US-TX-Dallas
Posted Date 2 months ago (7/24/2026 4:07 PM)
Requisition ID 2026-17853
Job Category Field Campaigns
Position Type Full Time
American Heart Association Offers
- Health Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
- Disability & Insurance
- Well onTarget – Wellness Program
- Holidays & Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
OPT Nonprofit Job Roles in Illinois
See all 34+ Nonprofit OPT Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Nonprofit Jobs in IllinoisNonprofit OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which nonprofit organizations in Illinois are known to sponsor F-1 OPT workers?
Large Illinois-based nonprofits with consistent international hiring include the American Medical Association, Feeding America (headquartered in Chicago), World Business Chicago, and the University of Chicago's affiliated research institutes. Health systems operating as nonprofits, such as Northwestern Medicine and Rush University Medical Center, also hire OPT workers in research and administrative roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role and fiscal year, so confirming directly with each employer's HR team is important.
Which cities in Illinois have the most nonprofit F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of nonprofit F-1 OPT opportunities in Illinois, driven by its concentration of national nonprofit headquarters, hospital systems, and policy organizations in neighborhoods like the Loop, River North, and Hyde Park. Evanston, home to Northwestern University and several affiliated nonprofits, is a secondary hub. Springfield has nonprofit roles connected to state-level advocacy, though volume is significantly lower than Chicago.
What types of nonprofit roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Illinois?
Roles that align with a graduate's field of study are most straightforward for OPT authorization. Common qualifying positions in Illinois nonprofits include program analyst, public health researcher, data coordinator, communications associate, policy analyst, and grant writer roles tied to relevant degree fields. Positions in finance, IT, and operations within nonprofits also regularly qualify when the candidate's degree matches. Roles that are primarily volunteer-coordination or general administrative may face more scrutiny regarding degree relevance.
How do I find nonprofit F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on OPT and filters jobs by visa type and industry, making it straightforward to browse nonprofit F-1 OPT openings in Illinois without sifting through listings that don't apply to you. Beyond Migrate Mate, attending Chicago-area nonprofit career fairs and connecting with DSO offices at Illinois universities can surface opportunities not widely advertised. Targeting organizations with existing H-1B visa filing histories is a useful signal that an employer understands work authorization processes.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in the nonprofit sector?
Illinois nonprofits are subject to the same federal OPT rules as employers nationwide, but a few state-level factors are worth knowing. Illinois has a large network of STEM-adjacent nonprofits in public health and environmental research, which may support STEM OPT extension eligibility for qualifying degree holders. Chicago's competitive nonprofit job market also means that demonstrating mission alignment alongside technical skills tends to strengthen candidacy at organizations that receive many applications from both domestic and international graduates.