Due to the Stay at Home order, we are temporarily suspending our curbside pickup service until April 13.  All walk-in and office visits are canceled until further notice.

Visit this page for updates and information.

Volunteer

Volunteers are an important part of the Epilepsy Foundation. Whether it’s working with kids at summer camp, helping with office tasks, or volunteering at one of our fundraising events, we appreciate all that our volunteers do. We couldn’t do this work without you!

Epilepsy Foundation volunteer opportunities range from one-time events to ongoing committee work. We also occasionally have opportunities to sponsor workgroups or clubs to complete volunteer projects.

An adult assists two children with crafts in a classroom at camp.
A young woman works on an art project at a table with papers and art supplies.

If you’re interested in volunteering with us, please complete our Volunteer Interest Form and let us know how your skills can best be used to make a difference in the lives of people with epilepsy.


A group of people lean in over a picnic table in the sun at Camp Oz.

Volunteer Resources

Introductory Video Orientation for One-Time Volunteers Orientation for Engaged Volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities:

All Epilepsy Foundation volunteer opportunities are for individuals 18 years of age and above unless otherwise noted in the description. There are opportunities to volunteer all across Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. Please check to make sure your preferred opportunity is available in your location, or a location to which you’re willing to travel.

Administrative

Assist with office work: mailings, event materials, packing literature, organizing files, and answering telephone calls.

*Under 18 applicable
Time requirement: Varies. Typical shift is 2-4 hours on a weekday
Desired skills & abilities: Follow instructions and complete general office work in a timely manner
Frequency: Varies
Location: Metro

Advocacy

Advocacy volunteer opportunities can be tailored to suit your interests and availability. Possible opportunities include: keeping EFMN abreast of upcoming town halls and other legislative events; researching local, state, and federal issues that impact people with epilepsy; and hosting in-home meetings with your local representatives and other government officials.

*Under 18 applicable
Time requirement: Flexible
Desired skills & abilities: Advocacy event experience and/or general professionalism
Frequency: Varies depending on opportunity
Location: Minnesota and North Dakota

Board of Directors

EFMN’s Board of Directors sets the organization’s vision and mission and provides fiduciary oversight and governance of the foundation. Board members also serve on committees that meet an additional 4 times/year.

Time requirement: 3-year term, length of meetings vary
Desired skills & abilities: Expertise in fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, finance, and business
Frequency: Meets 5 times/year (plus 4 additional committee meetings)
Location: Metro

Camp Programs Preparation

Camp Oz is a week-long residential camp for youth ages 9-17 with epilepsy. Administrative tasks include labeling pillboxes, creating nursing binders, organizing supplies, etc.

*Under 18 applicable
Time requirement: 2-4 hours on a weekday
Desired skills & abilities: Attention to detail and ability to multitask
Frequency: One week prior to Camp Oz in June
Location: Metro

Camp Programs Volunteer

Camp Oz is a week-long residential camp for youth ages 9-17 with epilepsy. Provide cabin/camper support, assisting campers throughout camp activities and working with staff to ensure safety. EFMN also has a one-day Family Camp and two Day Camps.

Time requirement: Oz: 8 AM – 4:30 PM on weekdays. Additional camps: Flexible
Desired skills & abilities: Good judgment, problem-solving and positive interactions with youth. Background check required
Frequency: Oz: Annually the third week of June. Additional camps: Flexible
Location: Oz: Hudson, WI. Additional camps: Flexible

Creative Arts

Creative Arts showcases the talents of people with epilepsy through creativity. There are opportunities around event setup and support, leading groups at workshops, setting up artwork form the Brainstorms collection, and more.

*Under 18 applicable
Time requirement: Varies
Desired skills & abilities: Event support, visual & writing skills, connections/networking in the community
Frequency: Varies
Location: Metro

EFMN Exhibits

Represent EFMN at community or industry events and exhibits.

Time requirement: 2-8 hours
Desired skills & abilities: Comfortable interacting with public, networking in the community, awareness of local events of interest
Frequency: Varies
Location: Throughout our service area of MN and Eastern ND

Human Resources

HR professionals: assist in projects in the areas of occupational health and safety, employee development, and staffing management.

Time requirement: Varies on weekdays. Volunteers may work from home with periodic check-in meetings on projects
Desired skills & abilities: Critical competencies within the HR area of the project, including experience in transformational human resources
Frequency: Varies
Location: Metro

Regional Advisory Committee (RAC)

Represent local constituents and help eliminate the stigma around epilepsy by serving on the RAC and working with local EFMN staff. Committees of 10-15 members include people affected by epilepsy, medical professionals, school personnel, media, and community activists.

Time requirement: 3-year term, 1.5–2-hour meetings
Desired skills & abilities: Active community member, professionalism, ability to share resources and network
Frequency: 4 meetings/year with projects and opportunities throughout the year
Location: Only in Duluth, Fargo, Rochester, and St. Cloud

Rise Above Seizures Gala Committee

The Rise Above Seizures Gala raises funds to support programs/services to support the 150,000+ people EFMN serves annually. Volunteering includes working with EFMN staff, planning the event, and recruiting sponsors and auction donations.

Time requirement: Varies as needed. 8 – 12 meetings / year, time to solicit and gather auction items
Desired skills & abilities: Event logistics, fundraising and networking in the community
Frequency: Planning meetings Nov – May; event is in April or May annually
Location: Metro
Additional “day-of only” opportunity to help with event set-up, guest check-in, games and clean-up.

Rise Above Seizures Walks

The Rise Above Seizures Walk brings together communities to raise money and celebrate loved ones with epilepsy. Opportunities include assembling registration materials, organizing supplies, communication with teams, and day-of support in the form of selling t-shirts, staffing booths, greeting walkers, and more.

*Under 18 applicable
Time requirement: 2-3 hours on weekdays; 2-8 hours shifts at the walk
Desired skills & abilities: Fundraising, event logistics, office work, multi-tasking, and comfort in dealing with the public
Frequency: Varies
Location: Metro, St Cloud, Duluth, Rochester, Fargo

Seizure Smart Schools

Seizure Smart Schools brings students, parents, and school personnel together to educate about epilepsy and reduce stigma. Share your story while educating classrooms and schools about seizure first aid, and connect with local schools by delivering educational materials.

Time requirement: Minimum 5-10 hours/year
Desired skills & abilities: Light public speaking, professionalism, engaging with others, basic knowledge of seizures and seizure first aid. Training and resources provided; independent transportation required
Frequency: Ongoing from August through May
Location: Schools across MN and ND

Social Events

EFMN offers a range of social events to connect people affected by seizures. Volunteer opportunities: greet participants, assist with registration, event setup, etc.

*Under 18 applicable
Time requirement: Varies
Desired skills & abilities: Good judgment and problem-solving, interaction with all ages and abilities
Frequency: Ongoing
Location: Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, Fargo

State Fair Ambassador

The Foundation staffs a booth in the Minnesota State Fair education building to disseminate information about seizure first aid, raise epilepsy awareness, and answer questions.

Time requirement: 4-hour shifts (multiple shifts are available)
Desired skills & abilities: Comfortable in a warmer setting, speaking with the public and answering basic questions about epilepsy
Frequency: 12 days annually during the fair, August–September
Location: Minnesota State Fair Grounds in St. Paul. Note: the building is not air-conditioned so heat can be an issue for volunteers

Workshops

Workshops educate communities and provide support for people affected by epilepsy. Greet participants, assist with registration, and provide event support.

Time requirement: 1-3 hours on a weekday or weekend
Desired skills & abilities: Friendly, detail-oriented, comfortable at a fast-paced event
Frequency: Varies
Location: Metro, Duluth, Rochester, Fargo, St. Cloud

Thriving with Epilepsy

Meet Kevin Reed

Kevin Reed is an active EFMN volunteer. He was diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering three tonic-clonic seizures during college and has since used his passion for photography to show others that living with epilepsy doesn’t have to be a barrier to reaching your goals and dreams.

Read Kevin's Story
A man in a Minnesota sweatshirt holds a camera and stands next to one of his photographs.
Three people, the founders of the epilepsy art showcase, standing together and smiling.
An adult and a child, both wearing helmets, work on a ropes course at camp.

Join our team

View current openings and our employee benefits package.

Careers