Grant Programs

At the Epilepsy Foundation, our primary goal is to help people affected by epilepsy achieve their fullest potential in any way possible. While the majority of our programs and services do this through support and information, we are also fortunate enough to offer small financial grants in the form of educational scholarships and crisis management funds.

The Bridge to Independence Fund is designed to help individuals and families with a one-time grant for unexpected expenses, and the Elam Baer & Janis Clay Educational Scholarship awards ten $1,000 scholarships every year to students with epilepsy.

Thriving with epilepsy

Meet Hafsa Yusuf

Hafsa Yusuf attends school at Winona State University. She is a multi-year Elam Baer & Janis Clay Scholarship recipient and Day Camp volunteer.

Hafsa's Story

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Bridge to Independence Fund

Seizures can have an unpredictable impact on lives. For some, being diagnosed with epilepsy can mean the temporary loss of a driver’s license, a change in child care needs, the need for a seizure predictive device, and more.

The Bridge to Independence Fund provides financial support to individuals and families during a time of crisis or unanticipated expenses. Like a bridge, the financial support is intended to provide a path from one situation to the next. This fund is a one-time gift to those who receive it. EFMN established the Bridge to Independence Fund in 2017.

As of April 1, 2020, the maximum award amount is $1000, in order to accommodate increased requests.

A young woman with red hair smiles at the camera while hugging her seizure dog, a yellow lab wearing a red "Can Do Canine" working vest

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Eligibility Guidelines:

Complete Application
Be an individual living with epilepsy and/or a seizure diagnosis
Must live in EFMN service area, Minnesota and eastern North Dakota
Able to provide proof of need, when applicable
Be able to fulfill all expectations and/or completion of ask
Willing to promote the benefit of support
The maximum amount of request is $1000
If partial support granted, must be able to raise remaining funds

Response expected within 5 business days. All awards must be made payable to the vendor, not the individual. Amounts vary on the type of need and funds available.

Bridge Fund Application Form

Who is filling out the form?

Applicant, I have epilepsy and will be the recipient of the fundsPreparer, I am completing the form for the applicant, who has epilepsy

Preparer Information

Preparer First Name

Preparer Last Name

Phone Number

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

What is your relationship to the applicant?

Identify relationship:

Applicant Information

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

Date of Birth:

Has applicant used EFMN's services before?

YesNo

Please list:

How did you hear about the Bridge to Independence Fund?

Primary Medical Provider/Doctor Contact Information

Clinic Name

Provider First Name

Provider Last Name

Phone Number

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

Type of Seizures

Financial Assistance Requested

Amount of funding requested:

What is the purpose of the requested funds?

Example: Transportation

Based on the purpose listed above, what product/services will you use?

Example: Metro transit bus pass

Please explain your current situation and how receiving this fund will help:

What other funding sources have you applied to? If you have not applied to other source, please enter "None" below.

Name of vendor/company requested funds for:

Vendor Contact First Name

Vendor Contact Last Name

Vendor Contact Email

Vendor Contact Phone Number

Vendor Street Address

Vendor City

Vendor State

Vendor Zip Code

Applicant/Guardian Release

Information and Photos:

By signing this application, I give EFMN permission to use my image and biographical information in photos and promotional materials for the purpose of promoting EFMN and its services.

Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability:

I, for myself and on behalf of the applicant (if applicant’s guardian), am aware of, understand, and assume any and all risks inherent in use of any and all products and/or services received under or in conjunction with funds received from EFMN. I agree to hold harmless and release EFMN, its board, its employees, and others acting on EFMN’s behalf, of all claims, demands, causes of action and legal liability, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, due to providing said product and/or services. I further agree that I shall not bring any claims, demands, legal actions and causes of actions against EFMN and its associates, as stated above in the same clause, for any economic and/or non-economic losses due to bodily injury, death, property damage and injury to, or loss by death for use of said products/services. The EFMN makes no warranties or guarantees of any kind, implied or actual, as to the function, suitability, safety, or intended use of said products/services.

By checking box and signing below, I agree to the statements above

Electronic Signature (type name here)

Preparer Electronic Signature (type name here)

For (type applicant's name here)

Contact Information

Elam Baer & Janis Clay Educational Scholarship

The Elam Baer & Janis Clay Educational Scholarship is a perfect extension of our vision, which is to work towards a world in which those with seizures realize their full potential. Ten $1,000 scholarships are awarded to students each year, and funds are intended to be used for school-related expenses only. Students who have shown courage in dealing with epilepsy, a commitment to their education, and perseverance in eliminating the obstacles that epilepsy presents are encouraged to apply for the Elam Baer & Janis Clay Educational Scholarship.

Nine college students posing with scholarship fund donor

A woman with curly brown hair and sunglasses leans against a fence.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2020
Awards Announcement: May 22, 2020

Eligibility:
• Have a diagnosis of epilepsy
• Live in Minnesota or eastern North Dakota
• Be a high school senior or high school graduate
• Submit a completed application and two letters of recommendation
• Provide proof of acceptance to a post-secondary academic or vocational program

Selection Factors:
• Strong career goals
• Personal achievements
• How applicant overcame obstacles related to epilepsy
• Involvement with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota and/or the community

Opportunities are provided solely on the individual merit of applicants related to scholarship requirements and without regard to religion, creed, race, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

We are no longer taking applications for the scholarship for 2020.

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A young woman with short brown hair crosses her arms shyly in front of her and smiles in the bright sunshine.

Travel Fund

This fund is a national service provided through the Epilepsy Foundation of America. It provides travel reimbursement to individuals who travel more than 50 miles from their home to receive FDA-approved medical care and/or treatment for their epilepsy/seizure disorder, but lack adequate financial resources to meet the cost of this travel without bearing financial hardship.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a United States citizen and reside in the United States, Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands
Applicants must attempt to exhaust at least three other funding sources within the county and state where the patient lives in addition to their insurance company
Applicants must provide justification for obtaining medical treatment/services more than 50 miles outside of the patient’s home for their epilepsy/seizure disorder. Official documentation from the patient’s doctor, medical practitioner, or facility where treatment/services will be provided is required and must include the reason(s) for treatment, treatments received, and date(s) of treatment
Applicants may apply prior to travel for pre-approval but must provide original receipts for final application consideration and funds disbursement

All applications must be approved and submitted through the local affiliate (the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota). For more information, contact info@efmn.org.

Application Form

Make a difference for people with epilepsy

These grant programs are made possible by the support of our generous donors. If you would like to make a financial contribution, visit our donation page and select "grant programs" as your designation. Thank you!

Make a gift