Regional Director of Philanthropy – Western Region

Position Summary

The Regional Director of Philanthropy, Westcoast Region, serves as a frontline fundraising professional responsible for securing transformational philanthropic investments that advance the mission of the Epilepsy Foundation.

This position manages a portfolio of approximately 75–100 qualified major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to make annual gifts of $25,000 or more.

Reporting to the Vice President of Individual Giving, the Regional Director of Philanthropy develops and executes strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans designed to inspire philanthropic investment in the Foundation’s highest priorities, including research, advocacy, education, patient services, and innovation.

The Regional Director works collaboratively with Foundation leadership, affiliate partners, volunteers, physicians, researchers, grateful families, and other key stakeholders to identify and engage donors whose philanthropic interests align with the Foundation’s mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management – 60%

• Manage an active portfolio of approximately 75–100 qualified major gift donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more.

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major gift commitments in support of the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

• Develop comprehensive donor engagement strategies and individualized moves management plans for assigned prospects.

• Conduct regular in-person, virtual, and telephone meetings with donors and prospects to strengthen relationships and advance philanthropic commitments.

• Prepare compelling proposals, gift agreements, stewardship reports, and other donor communications.

• Partner with the President & CEO, Vice President of Individual Giving, Board members, affiliate leadership, physicians, researchers, and volunteers on major gift strategies and solicitations.

• Identify planned giving opportunities and collaborate with leadership to cultivate and secure legacy commitments.

• Meet or exceed established annual revenue, solicitation, stewardship, and donor activity goals.

• Maintain a disciplined and well-qualified donor pipeline that supports sustainable, long-term fundraising growth.

Regional Relationship Development – 20%

• Represent the Epilepsy Foundation throughout the assigned Mid-West region.

• Develop strong partnerships with affiliate organizations to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.

• Build and maintain relationships with healthcare providers, grateful families, community leaders, volunteer leadership, philanthropic advisors, and other key stakeholders.

• Participate in regional fundraising events, educational programs, donor cultivation opportunities, and community engagement activities.

• Serve as an ambassador for the Epilepsy Foundation while increasing organizational visibility and philanthropic support throughout the region.

Strategy, Collaboration & Operations – 20%

• Maintain accurate and timely donor records, contact reports, proposals, and moves management activity within Salesforce.

• Participate in regular portfolio reviews and fundraising strategy meetings.

• Collaborate across Institutional Giving, Marketing and Communications, Research, Programs, Finance, affiliate partners, and other teams to deliver an exceptional donor experience.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of Foundation priorities, strategic initiatives, campaigns, programs, and funding opportunities.

• Utilize donor data, fundraising metrics, and performance insights to inform strategy and maximize donor engagement.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• CFRE certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of successful major gift fundraising experience.

• Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting, and securing individual gifts of $25,000 or more.

• Demonstrated experience managing a strategic major gift portfolio using established moves management practices.

• Experience developing individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for major donors and prospects.

• Experience utilizing Salesforce or a comparable donor CRM platform.

• Experience working within a national nonprofit organization, federated structure, or affiliate network preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families, and philanthropic partners.

• Strong consultative fundraising, relationship management, and donor engagement skills.

• Ability to confidently solicit significant philanthropic commitments.

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

• Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management abilities.

• Ability to manage a geographically dispersed donor portfolio while working independently in a remote environment.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, Board members, volunteers, affiliate partners, and cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, accountability, and discretion.

• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and the highest standards of professionalism.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor database/CRM systems.

• Knowledge of planned giving principles and strategies preferred.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be evaluated through measurable fundraising and relationship-management outcomes, including:

• Annual major gift revenue.

• Number and value of gifts of $25,000 or more secured.

• Qualified donor visits and meaningful donor contacts.

• Discovery and qualification activity.

• Major gift solicitations completed.

• Donor retention and stewardship.

• Portfolio growth and pipeline development.

• Planned giving referrals and opportunities identified.

• Salesforce data accuracy and integrity.

• Effective collaboration with affiliate partners and Foundation leadership.

Travel & Work Environment

This is a remote position requiring extensive travel throughout the assigned Western region.

Travel is expected to be approximately 50% and may include donor and prospect visits, affiliate engagement, fundraising and cultivation events, conferences, Foundation meetings, and national events.

Evening and occasional weekend work is required to support donor cultivation, fundraising activities, events, and organizational priorities.