Red Cross Announces New Major Gifts Officer | Community Spirit

The American Red Cross is proud to announce Courtney Melendez as a new Major Gifts Officer for the Columbia Region, which serves 28 counties in South Carolina.

As Major Gifts Officer, Melendez will be responsible for the cultivation and stewardship of financials donors to expand the mission and services of the Red Cross within the Columbia Region.

“Courtney is a tremendous asset to our financial development team,” said Adrienne Bellinger, regional chief development officer, American Red Cross, Columbia Region. “Courtney’s track record of fundraising success, and experience in donor management and working with volunteers, are critical to advancing our financial development program and the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross in the Columbia Region.”   

Prior to joining the Red Cross, Courtney most recently served as Director of Community Relations for The Cooperative Ministry where she led development, marketing and communications initiatives and also coordinated special events and volunteer opportunities.

Prior to entering the non-profit sector, Courtney was an Account Executive for Wentworth Printing, a Consolidated Graphics Company. There she identified and cultivated customer relationships, to build long-term solutions for clients with national printing and distribution needs.

Courtney earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Carolina.  She is also recent graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership Columbia and a member of Women in Philanthropy where she serves as the chairperson of the Communications Committee.  Courtney also volunteers with Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) and Southeast German Shepherd Rescue.