epilepsy foundation of san diego county

What epilepsy foundation of san diego county does

The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County (EFSDC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1954 and headquartered at 2055 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego, California. Operating as an independently chartered affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, the organization provides a comprehensive suite of free programs and services to the roughly 50,000 San Diegans living with epilepsy, their families, caregivers, and associated school and healthcare professionals. Its service surface spans monthly virtual and in-person support groups (including dedicated cohorts for teens, young adults, parents, Spanish-speakers, and wellness workshop participants), Seizure First Aid Training, School Nurse Training delivered in coordination with the San Diego Department of Education, Project UPLIFT (an 8-week CBT- and mindfulness-based depression program), Music Therapy via Resounding Joy, residential summer camps at YMCA Camp Marston and Raintree Ranch, and college scholarships ranging from $250 to $6,000.

EFSDC generates revenue through individual donations, event fundraising (Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk, the Gingerbread City Gala, and the Epilepsy Education Conference), corporate sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies such as Neurelis, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, SK Life Science, UCB, Sunovion, and Greenwich Biosciences, and foundation grants including from the National Organization for Rare Disorders. All programs and services are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries, with the organization explicitly stating that no service carries a fee; nominal event registration fees ($15-$25) only apply to educational conference access. Distribution is purely regional (San Diego County), relying on direct service delivery through the main office, virtual Zoom-based programming, school district coordination, and venue/medical partnerships rather than traditional commercial sales channels.

The organization is small and lean, with a listed leadership team headed by President & CEO Wendy Urushima-Conn (25+ years in community outreach, fundraising, and marketing), an MSW-credentialed Programs & Client Services Manager, an LCSW-level clinical staff member, and a Bilingual Community Outreach Coordinator running the Spanish-language program. In 2025 the organization secured a major bequest from the Lee E. Mattei Family Trust of approximately $175,000 plus $47,000 from Ruth Mattei's IRA (total over $220,000), with half designated as a permanent endowment. EFSDC has no proprietary technology, AI/ML, or SaaS infrastructure; it is a services-driven community non-profit whose primary "stack" is its clinical staff, volunteer corps, and partnerships.

Name

epilepsy foundation of san diego county

Legal name

Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County

Website

https://epilepsysandiego.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1954 that delivers free epilepsy education, counseling, support groups, scholarships, and advocacy to roughly 50,000 people affected by epilepsy across San Diego County, funded through donations, events, and pharma sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Epilepsy Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders (HLAKAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Mental Health Counseling & Therapy Services (K–12) (EDAJALAG), Behavioral Health & Substance Use Program Funding (Public Health) (HLAJALAI)

Keywords

• Epilepsy support services
• Nonprofit health advocacy
• Community epilepsy programs
• Seizure first aid training
• Disability support services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Donations from individuals supporting the epilepsy community
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from events including Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk, Gingerbread City Gala, and Epilepsy Education Conference
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies and businesses (Neurelis, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, SK Life Science, UCB, Sunovion, Greenwich Biosciences)
4. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations including National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County provides a comprehensive suite of free programs and services for individuals and families affected by epilepsy in San Diego County. Core offerings include virtual and in-person support groups, Project UPLIFT (CBT-based depression treatment), Seizure First Aid Training, School Nurse Training, Teens Speak Up! advocacy, college scholarships, music therapy, summer camp experiences, and annual fundraising/awareness events. All programs and services are offered at no cost to participants, and the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

Product overview

The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the San Diego community since 1954. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of free programs and services for individuals and families affected by epilepsy. Its core offerings include virtual and in-person support groups (covering Epilepsy Community, Teen, Spanish-speaking, Young Adult Men/Women, Parents & Caregivers, Adults, Tweens, and Wellness Workshop groups), mental health support through Project UPLIFT (CBT and mindfulness-based depression treatment), creative community building via Creativity & Connection gatherings, and specialized services including Seizure First Aid Training, School Nurse Training, and Music Therapy partnerships. The foundation also runs signature fundraising events including the annual Epilepsy Education Conference, Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk., and Gingerbread City Gala, while providing college scholarships and summer camp experiences through YMCA partnerships. All programs and services are offered at no cost to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Epilepsy Support Groups
• Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) An 8-week home-based depression treatment program designed for adults with epilepsy, delivered virtually on Zoom. Combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices, co-led by a trained mental health facilitator and a person living with epilepsy.
• Spanish Outreach Program (Programa de Alcance en Español) Partners with local community organizations to connect directly with Spanish-speaking clients, offering seizure first aid trainings in Spanish, to reduce stigma and expand access to programs and support groups available in Spanish.
• Seizure First Aid Training Free professional training on seizure recognition and first aid available through National LIVE Webinars or On-Demand Training, designed for professionals, people with epilepsy, caregivers, and the general public.
• School Nurse Training Trainings for school nurses on assisting students experiencing seizures, coordinated with San Diego Department of Education, available in-person and on Zoom.
• Teens Speak Up! Biennial advocacy conference bringing teens living with epilepsy, family members, and healthcare providers to Washington D.C. for advocacy training and meetings with lawmakers.
• College Scholarships Annual scholarships ranging from $250-$6,000 for college undergraduates, including the Michael Zapoticzny Memorial Scholarship (up to $6,000) and Kim Tallian Memorial Scholarship ($2,000).
• Music Therapy Partnership with Resounding Joy providing recreational music therapy for kids and teens ages 11-18 impacted by epilepsy through 6 group Zoom sessions over a 6-week period.
• Camp Experiences (YMCA Partnership) Summer overnight camp partnerships with YMCA of San Diego County for children and teens ages 8-17 living with epilepsy at YMCA Camp Marston and YMCA Raintree Ranch in Julian, CA, with on-site medical staff.
• Epilepsy Education Conference Annual conference featuring local and regional epilepsy experts presenting new research, emerging technologies, treatment options, and practical solutions. Includes access to a library of video presentations.
• Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk. Annual outdoor event consisting of a 5K run/walk, a 15-mile bike ride, and community picnic to raise funds and awareness for the epilepsy community.
• Gingerbread City Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring gingerbread structures and festive entertainment to support the foundation's programs and services.
• Creativity & Connection A monthly in-person gathering launched in 2025 providing community members an opportunity to build friendships, share experiences, and celebrate connections with others impacted by epilepsy.
• #MyEpilepsySDStory Year-round initiative launched on International Epilepsy Day 2024 providing a platform for San Diegans impacted by epilepsy to share their personal experiences and read stories from others in the community.
• Epilepsy Education and Seizure First Aid (IEP and School Support) Individualized Education Plan support, Diastat administration training, seizure action plan consultation, and on-site school training for staff and parents on seizure recognition and first aid.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 50,000+ people with epilepsy in San Diego County
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2024Collaboration on advocacy for California Bill AB 2613 to create a Rare Disease Advisory Council. EFSDC joins NORD in making sure the Assembly Health Committee hears from California advocates on rare disease issues.
• YMCA of San Diego CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer summer overnight camp experience for children and teens ages 8-17 living with epilepsy. Camps hosted at YMCA Camp Marston and YMCA Raintree Ranch in Julian, CA. YMCA provides the camp facilities and programming while EFSDC provides specialized epilepsy support and on-site medical staff.
• Epilepsy Foundation of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with the national Epilepsy Foundation organization. Participates in national programs like Teens Speak Up & Public Policy Institute, accesses national helpline resources, and aligns with national advocacy efforts.
• Resounding JoyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal music therapy non-profit partner providing recreational music therapy for kids and teens impacted by epilepsy through 6 group Zoom sessions over a 6-week period.
• San Diego Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination with SDDOE to provide trainings to school nurses on assisting students experiencing seizures. Part of the Managing Students with Seizures program addressing school attendance rates.
• Boys to Men Mentoring NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPotential partnership for family camp weekend experience for families impacted by epilepsy, exploring opportunity at Boys to Men Mentoring Mt. Palomar property.
• Academy of Our Lady of PeaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for annual Epilepsy Education Conference events held at their San Diego location.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• ALS Association: National voluntary health organization funding research, care services, and advocacy for ALS patients. Comparable disease-focused nonprofit model combining free patient services, regional chapters, signature fundraising events, and corporate partnerships.
• Epilepsy Foundation of America: National umbrella organization and parent affiliate of EFSDC, providing national programs (helpline, advocacy, research) and coordinating the affiliate network. Operates in the same disease space with overlapping mission and beneficiary base.
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): National voluntary health organization serving the rare disease community, including epilepsy. EFSDC is an active partner of NORD on California rare disease advocacy. Comparable nonprofit model with grants, advocacy, and education programs.
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: National voluntary health organization delivering free support, education, and advocacy programs for people with MS through regional chapters. Comparable mission, regional chapter structure, and financing model.
• March of Dimes: National voluntary health organization funding maternal and infant health research, education, and advocacy. Comparable large-scale nonprofit model with signature fundraising events (walks), corporate sponsorships, and free community programs.
• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): National voluntary health organization providing free care, support, and advocacy for neuromuscular disease patients. Closely comparable operating model - free direct services, regional service delivery, signature fundraising events, and pharma/corporate sponsorships.

Direct peers

• Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles: Regional California affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation providing free support, education, and advocacy services to people affected by epilepsy. Same operating model and donor/sponsor mix as EFSDC, scaled to the LA metro.
• Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California: Independently chartered regional affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation of America serving Northern California with the same nonprofit support, education, and advocacy model. Direct structural peer with identical program taxonomy.

Regional players

• Autism Society of San Diego: San Diego-based regional nonprofit providing free support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by autism. Same geography, comparable disability-focused service model and donor base.
• Alzheimer's Association San Diego / Imperial Chapter: Regional chapter of a national voluntary health organization delivering free education, support groups, and care consultations in the San Diego area. Directly comparable as a regional disease-focused nonprofit sharing the same geography and donor pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EpilepsySD
• Facebookfacebook.com/epilepsyfoundation.sandiego
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epilepsy-foundation-san-diego-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/epilepsyfoundationsd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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