Some of the most effective and far-reaching gifts are those given towards an endowment. Endowed funds are critical to the financial stability of the Epilepsy Foundation’s mission.
With an endowment fund, your gift is invested with other gifts to maximize its value. Annual amounts are distributed to our ongoing programs, while the fund principal remains to provide support in perpetuity.
When an anonymous donor seeded EFA’s new Endowment Fund, Jeff Parent didn’t hesitate to contribute. “As officers of the organization, we need to lean into this,” he says. “Nonprofits need stable, long-term funding. Annual gifts are essential for immediate needs, but an endowment ensures the Foundation will be here for generations to come.”
The past few years have underscored the challenge nonprofits face: unpredictable giving cycles, economic uncertainty, and rising demand for services. “Short-term support keeps the lights on,” he says, “but the endowment gives us a foundation to focus on the future.”
That future, he believes, is bright. “Having an endowment legitimizes the organization. It tells the world that the Epilepsy Foundation of America is here to stay. It builds confidence among donors, attracts larger gifts, and gives us momentum to grow.”
For Jeff and his family, epilepsy has been manageable. But he knows many others struggle to find the right treatment or access care. “Some people spend years trying to find the right medication or surgical solution,” he says. “We need to bring together researchers, clinicians, and technology partners to move faster so people can live full, independent lives.”
He’s energized by the Foundation’s growing partnerships and data-driven initiatives. “For the first time, we have real momentum,” he says. “Organizations that used to work separately are coming together. We weren’t there five years ago. But we’re there now.”
A Call to Invest in the Future
Asked what he would say to others considering a gift to the Endowment Fund, his answer is simple: “If you’re looking to make a long-term commitment to the epilepsy community, this is it. The bigger we can grow the endowment, the stronger and more sustainable this organization becomes. That’s why I gave. And why I’ll give again.”
He’s quick to note the generosity of the anonymous donor who launched the fund, which includes a matching gift to encourage others. “Their gift is making a huge difference,” he says. “Now it’s on all of us to build on that foundation.”
For Jeff, supporting also helps break down the major stigma associated with epilepsy. “Most people with epilepsy don’t talk about it because they’re scared of how others will react, or they feel ashamed,” he says. “But when we share our stories, something powerful happens. We inspire others to step forward too.”