Fundraise for Epilepsy Ontario
Your idea.
A community of support.
Bring people together around something you enjoy while raising funds and awareness for people living with epilepsy in Ontario.
Start with your idea. Get approval before proceeding.
Complete the Community Partner Event Agreement and receive Epilepsy Ontario’s approval before moving forward. Discuss sponsorship requests, use of our name and logo, and any plans for donation receipts before promoting your fundraiser.
Make it your own
An idea for every kind of community.
Start with the people you know and an activity you enjoy. A manageable fundraiser can be just as meaningful as a large gathering.
At work
Bring colleagues together for a bake sale, purple pancake breakfast, potluck fundraiser, or dress-down day.
At school
Plan a trivia challenge, talent show, car wash, pizza day, or team activity with your school community.
With friends & family
Celebrate a birthday or milestone, host a themed dinner, or organize a craft gathering or neighbourhood garage sale.
In your community
Bring a club or neighbourhood together for a walk, barbecue, golf tournament, sports challenge, or community celebration.
From idea to thank-you
Your planning checklist.
- Choose an activity. Think about your audience, your interests, and how much time you can commit. Start with something manageable.
- Set a goal and budget. List anticipated income and expenses so you can estimate what will be donated to Epilepsy Ontario.
- Choose your date and location. Allow time to prepare. Consider accessibility, weather, holidays, and other activities that may affect attendance.
- Submit your agreement. Share your plan with Epilepsy Ontario and receive approval before proceeding.
- Build your team. Invite friends, colleagues, or classmates to help. Give everyone a clear role.
- Prepare your promotion. Get approval for materials using our name or logo and for proposed sponsorship approaches before contacting sponsors.
- Plan the day. Prepare a schedule, assign responsibilities, and confirm how you will collect and account for funds.
- Thank everyone. Recognize participants, volunteers, and supporters, and share the results of their efforts.
- Submit the proceeds and report. Send the funds being donated to Epilepsy Ontario and your follow-up report within 30 days of the fundraiser.
- Celebrate and share. Tell us how it went. Share highlights and photos you have permission to publish so we can discuss ways to recognize your community’s contribution.
Before you get started
Clear expectations. Better planning.
Understand what Epilepsy Ontario can offer and what you will manage as the organizer.
How we can help
We can provide available information about our programs and services for you to share. A staff member or volunteer may be able to attend, depending on availability. Ask early if you would like a representative there.
An attending representative should not be charged for admission or required to purchase a ticket. Any promotional support should be discussed with us in advance.
Approval, sponsors & our name
Submit the Community Partner Event Agreement and receive approval before proceeding. Provide your proposed sponsor list for approval before approaching those sponsors.
Materials featuring Epilepsy Ontario’s name or logo—including posters, flyers, tickets, and press releases—must be approved before use.
Your responsibilities as organizer
You organize and manage your fundraiser and are responsible for its expenses and applicable municipal and provincial requirements. Insurance certificates may be requested depending on the activity’s scale and scope.
Epilepsy Ontario does not assume legal or financial liability or managerial responsibility for your fundraiser.
We cannot provide our mailing lists, pay event expenses, sell tickets to our staff, clients, or Board members, solicit sponsors on your behalf, or support gaming or liquor licence requests.
Activities that fit our values
Fundraising must be legal, ethical, and consistent with Epilepsy Ontario’s mission and values.
Our published community-event policy prohibits commission-based fundraising, activities promoting or endorsing political parties or candidates, and direct solicitation, including door-to-door canvassing, telemarketing, or internet solicitation. Discuss your proposed approach with us before making commitments.
Expenses, proceeds & follow-up
Cover expenses through event income, such as sponsorship or ticket proceeds, rather than donations intended for charitable receipts. Epilepsy Ontario cannot cover your costs.
Clearly tell supporters whether all proceeds or only a portion will go to Epilepsy Ontario.
Submit the proceeds being donated to Epilepsy Ontario and your follow-up report within 30 days. Confirm arrangements with us before sending funds, especially cash.
Donation receipts
Confirm before you promise a receipt.
Only Epilepsy Ontario can issue official donation receipts on its behalf. We determine eligibility under Canada Revenue Agency requirements. Organizers must not issue receipts or promise them without confirmation.
- Direct donations: A monetary gift made directly to Epilepsy Ontario without a benefit in return may qualify.
- Tickets and other benefits: Paying to attend does not automatically qualify for a receipt. In some circumstances, an eligible portion may be receiptable after benefits are assessed.
- Sponsorships, services, auctions, and donated items: Ask us about the specific arrangement before making any receipt commitments. Raffle and lottery ticket purchases do not qualify.
- Donor information: Confirm our submission process for each donor’s full name, complete mailing address, donation amount, and the fundraiser’s name and date. We will advise if additional information is needed.
Discuss receipt requirements during planning so supporters know what to expect.
Your organizer toolkit
Two forms. Two important stages.
These are the published October 2019 documents. Confirm current requirements and submission details with Epilepsy Ontario before using them.
Before your fundraiser
Community Partner Event Agreement
Outline your idea, contact information, proposed budget, and the support you are requesting. Review the terms before submitting it for approval.
After your fundraiser
Community Event Follow-Up Report
Report the funds collected, provide the required donor details, and tell us about your fundraiser’s highlights. Return it with the proceeds within 30 days.
Have an idea in mind?
Tell us what you would like to organize, who it is for, and when you hope to hold it. We can discuss your next steps before you commit time or money.
