become a board member

The Stella Effect is powered by a passionate, hands-on working board — people who roll up their sleeves because they believe in this mission with their whole hearts. Our board members don’t just guide strategy; they help do the work, from running programs to writing grants to building partnerships.

Board members commit to:

  • Serving a three-year term (with a maximum of three consecutive terms)

  • Holding an active position on the Board throughout your term

  • Attending one virtual board meeting per quarter (typically one hour on a weekend morning

  • Participating in side projects, communications, or research related to your role between meetings

  • Supporting The Stella Effect’s mission through collaboration, creativity, and compassion

If you bring relevant experience, care deeply about our cause, and are ready to contribute time and energy, we’d love for you to consider applying for an open board seat. Scroll down to learn more and apply!

Not quite ready for a board role? That’s okay! Many of our directors are also looking for volunteers to support specific projects and occasional tasks. Whether you're a communicator, organizer, creative, or just someone who wants to help, your time and talents can make a real impact. Learn more about volunteer roles here.

  • If you love building relationships and believe in the power of generosity, this is the role for you. The Fundraising & Development Director helps ensure The Stella Effect has the resources to support families by connecting with donors, partners, and sponsors who care about our work. You’ll shape our fundraising strategy, lead outreach efforts, and work closely with other board members and volunteers to make giving feel joyful and meaningful — not just for us, but for those who give.

    Responsibilities:

    • Develop and lead our annual fundraising plan

    • Cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, and foundations

    • Support campaign execution with board and volunteer involvement

  • Do you get a thrill from turning big dreams into fundable plans? The Grants Director helps us identify grant opportunities that align with our mission and leads the process of writing, applying, and reporting. You don’t have to do it all alone — you’ll collaborate with the board and program leads to gather the stories and data that bring our work to life. If you love writing with purpose and helping nonprofits grow sustainably, this role is a great fit.

    Responsibilities:

    • Research and prioritize mission-aligned grant opportunities

    • Lead the full grant lifecycle: writing, submission, compliance, and reporting

    • Partner with board/program leads to craft compelling and measurable proposals

  • Bring your legal mind and generous heart to our board. The Legal Director helps us navigate nonprofit compliance, review important documents (like bylaws or agreements), and make sure we're doing things the right way as we grow. While we’ll still call on outside counsel when needed, having someone on the board with legal insight helps us move forward with confidence and care.

    Responsibilities:

    • Provide guidance on contracts, compliance, and nonprofit governance

    • Review bylaws, partnership agreements, and donation terms

    • Offer internal legal perspective (not a replacement for outside counsel)

  • This is a great role for someone passionate about awareness, advocacy, and family-centered care. The Advocacy & Medical Partnerships Director helps guide how we educate the public and the medical community — from leading efforts during Trisomy Awareness Month to strengthening hospital and provider relationships. You’ll also help shape care resources and outreach that reflect both clinical knowledge and lived experience.

    Responsibilities:

    • Lead Trisomy Awareness Month strategy (in partnership with Communications & Creative)

    • Facilitate relationships with hospitals, providers, and medical advocates

    • Inform education resources, care guides, and family support materials

  • Love a good spreadsheet? The Treasurer helps keep The Stella Effect financially strong and transparent. You’ll work with the Board Chair to set our annual budget, provide quarterly updates to the board, and keep our records organized and accurate. You don’t have to be a CPA — just someone with financial experience who cares about responsible stewardship and is willing to guide us through the dollars and cents behind our mission.

    Responsibilities:

    • Lead development of the annual operating budget

    • Provide quarterly financial reports to the board

    • Oversee bookkeeping, reconciliation, and financial compliance

About the Commitment

The Stella Effect is a working board, which means our directors are both strategic thought partners and hands-on contributors. Board members commit to:

Serving a three-year term (with a maximum of three consecutive terms)

Holding an active position on the Board throughout your term

Attending one virtual board meeting per quarter (typically one hour on a weekend morning)

Participating in side projects, communications, or research related to your role between meetings

Supporting The Stella Effect’s mission through collaboration, creativity, and compassion

The Stella Effect – Board Member Application