Board Leadership Opportunity: Director of Philanthropic Growth

The Defeating Epilepsy Foundation® is seeking an enthusiastic, relationship-focused leader to serve as our Director of Philanthropic Growth. This volunteer board leadership position will help secure corporate sponsorships, company donations, and major gifts from individuals who share our commitment to creating a stronger, more inclusive community.

Your goal will be to build lasting relationships that expand support for our education, advocacy, and community programs serving individuals and families affected by epilepsy, neurological conditions, and neurodivergence.

Your Leadership Role

As Director of Philanthropic Growth, you will:

• Develop corporate partnerships: Identify and connect with companies interested in sponsoring our programs, campaigns, and events.

• Inspire company giving: Seek financial contributions, workplace giving opportunities, matching gifts, and useful in-kind donations.

• Cultivate major donors: Build relationships with individuals and families who have the interest and capacity to make significant contributions.

• Make compelling invitations: Work with the President and program leaders to develop sponsorship proposals and donation requests that connect supporters’ interests with our mission.

• Strengthen donor relationships: Help ensure supporters receive timely appreciation, meaningful impact updates, and opportunities to stay involved.

• Create a growth strategy: Maintain a prospect list, track outreach and follow-up, and establish achievable fundraising goals with leadership.

• Mobilize our network: Encourage board members and community supporters to introduce potential sponsors and donors.

• Report progress: Share relationship-building activities, proposals, contributions, and next steps at monthly board meetings.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome someone who is confident making connections, comfortable inviting financial support, and motivated by the opportunity to make a difference.

Experience in fundraising, sales, business development, community relations, or corporate partnerships is helpful. Strong communication, organization, discretion, and consistent follow-through are essential.

The ideal candidate listens thoughtfully, represents our mission with enthusiasm, and approaches every donor relationship with integrity and respect.

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 Director attends monthly board meetings, presents progress updates, and may use up to two excused absences per year.

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

• Identify prospective corporate sponsors and major donors.

• Review and strengthen sponsorship and donor outreach materials.

• Begin introductions, meetings, and personalized funding conversations.

• Establish a system for tracking relationships and follow-up.

• Set realistic fundraising and outreach goals based on our programs and available opportunities.

Why Join Us?

Your leadership can connect a company’s generosity with a community need, turn an introduction into a lasting partnership, and help secure the resources that bring our programs to life.

Bring your vision, your connections, and your passion for possibility. Together, we can grow the support that helps our community thrive.