Fundraising Events

The Epilepsy Foundation’s fundraising events are a great way to support people with epilepsy, build community, and have fun! Our annual events include a gala in the spring and five fundraising walks throughout our service region in the fall.

One in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime, and one in 26 will develop epilepsy. Every day, communities come together to raise funds to support programs for people with seizures.

A large family smiles with a giant check made out to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.

A group of people walk over a wooden bridge during the fundraising walk. A small girl runs ahead, smiling and holding a water bottle.

Upcoming Fundraising Events

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Rise Above Seizures Gala

The annual Rise Above Seizures Gala is one of our signature events that directly funds the programs and services our community needs. Each spring we feature a program of ours and invite participants to share their story and show the direct impact of your support. Attendees enjoy a 3-course dinner and participate in silent and live auctions as well as other games for a night of fundraising and inspiration.

In a large crowd of people, women hold up bidder numbers for an auction.

Two people wearing fancy clothes give a speech at a podium during the Epilepsy Foundation gala.

We are so grateful to everyone who was able to join us for the 2019 Rise Above Seizures Gala at McNamara Alumni Center on Saturday, April 27! Highlights from the evening included a sensational silent and live auction, games to get you in the giving spirit, dinner courtesy of D’Amico catering, a poignant program and fund-a-need benefiting the programs and services which nurture the gift of independence for the 225,000 people EFMN annually serves. To see photos from the evening, please click here.

Gala Website

Proud Gala Sponsors:

Rise Above Seizures Walks

The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN)’s annual Rise Above Seizures Walk is the single largest fundraising and awareness event in Minnesota and North Dakota to benefit people with seizures. The walk began in 1999 in Rochester, MN and has since expanded to four additional cities; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Duluth, St. Cloud, and Fargo/Moorhead.

A group of people ducks under an archway made of balloons at the Rise Above Seizures Walk.

A large group of people cheers, smiles, and waves their arms in the air.

Walk Website

The Rise Above Seizures Walk celebrates people with seizures while raising awareness and funds to support EFMN’s vital programs and services. Families and individuals in five communities come together as a powerful force to help people with epilepsy realize their full potential and stop seizures. 100% of the funds raised in each of our regions are reinvested directly back into the community!

Join us in celebrating our connections to epilepsy, while raising vital funds to support resources and services.

Proud Walk Sponsors

DIY Fundraisers

We are grateful for the support of our wonderful and engaged community, many of whom plan and host creative fundraising events throughout the year. We are pleased to offer our support of these events by providing materials and promoting them on our web calendar and social media whenever we can.

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Two girls wearing Epilepsy Foundation t-shirts smile in front of an archway made of balloons.

Ready to get started with your DIY fundraiser? View our DIY fundraising guidelines, and then fill out the information below and a staff member will be in touch.

Host your own DIY Fundraiser:

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Thriving with Epilepsy

Meet Ruth Schmitz

Ruth Schmitz is a team captain for the annual Rise Above Seizures Walk. She has witnessed the expansion of EFMN programs and is making an impact on those programs by leading a Walk team in St. Cloud!

Ruth's Story

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Help out at an event

Many of our fundraising events and other programs rely on the help and support of volunteers. Plus, volunteering is a great way to get involved in the epilepsy community!

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