Board Leadership Opportunity: Grant Development Chair

The Defeating Epilepsy Foundation® is seeking a motivated, relationship-focused leader to serve as our Grant Development Chair. This volunteer board leadership position offers an opportunity to help expand education, advocacy, and compassionate support for individuals and families affected by epilepsy, neurological conditions, and neurodivergence.

Our starting goal is practical: pursue smaller grants, build relationships with funding partners, and create a foundation for long-term financial sustainability. Every successful application and new connection can help move our mission forward.

Your Leadership Role

As Grant Development Chair, you will:

• Discover opportunities: Research smaller grants from community foundations, businesses, civic organizations, and other funders whose priorities align with our mission.

• Tell our story: Prepare compelling applications that communicate our programs, community needs, and impact.

• Build a funding network: Develop relationships with grant makers, corporate giving teams, and community partners.

• Keep opportunities moving: Maintain a grant calendar and track applications, deadlines, decisions, and reporting requirements.

• Collaborate with our team: Work with the President and program leaders to gather budgets, program information, and measurable outcomes.

• Lead with purpose: Provide progress updates at board meetings and help develop a grant support team as opportunities grow.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome someone who brings strong writing skills, organization, initiative, and enthusiasm for our mission. Grant writing, fundraising, nonprofit, or business development experience is helpful. We also welcome a committed emerging leader who is ready to learn and build their skills.

The ideal candidate enjoys making connections, follows through on commitments, and understands that funding relationships grow through thoughtful communication and consistent effort.

Commitment and Initial Goals

This is a one-year volunteer board leadership position, renewable annually, with an expected commitment of at least eight hours per month. The Chair attends monthly board meetings, presents progress updates, and may use up to two excused absences per year.

During the first 90 days, the Chair will work with leadership to:

• Identify a focused list of suitable smaller-grant opportunities.

• Create a grant calendar and application tracker.

• Prepare reusable grant materials.

• Begin funder outreach and submit initial applications based on eligibility and readiness.

Application and relationship-building goals will be agreed upon with leadership and reviewed regularly.

Why Join Us?

Your leadership can help turn a promising idea into a funded program, introduce our mission to new supporters, and strengthen the resources our community depends on.

Bring your ideas, your determination, and your ability to connect with others. Together, we can build opportunities that make a lasting difference.