2025 Fraser Gala

Join us for the Fraser Gala at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, on Fri., Nov. 7, 2025. This year, we’re celebrating Fraser’s 90^th year by looking back on all the eras of Fraser. Attendees are invited to pick their favorite “era” and dress the part.  

In 1935, Louise Whitbeck Fraser started a school to teach children with disabilities in her home. She opened the school during the Great Depression, while facing great personal loss, including the death of her husband and 2 of her 4 children. Despite these challenges and opposition from health officials and neighbors, the Fraser School® grew steadily by word of mouth.

For the last 90 years, Mrs. Fraser’s legacy has lived on. As the decades passed, hemlines rose and dropped. Cars replaced buggies and trains. Rock ‘n roll replaced jazz and swing. Then folk, pop, rap, hip hop, alternative, and electronic music replaced rock. Today, instead of writing a letter or making a phone call, we send an email or text.

The way we work has evolved, too. A commute can now be as close as opening a laptop in a home office. A doctor’s visit can take place in a hospital, an office, or through a screen. News is now often recorded as it happens on a smartphone, instead of with a reporter, camera, voice recorder, and video camera.

People with disabilities have won greater rights. Children with disabilities and neurodiverse children can now access 504 plans and IEPs, so they can receive an education like everyone else. Individuals with sensory processing differences now have tools like fidgets, weighted lap pads, compression clothing, and other items to help them regulate their bodies and modify their environments. Children, teens, and adults with mental health issues can access therapies, support groups, and medications to manage their symptoms.

In 2024, Fraser served more than 15,000 people by providing children, teens, and adults with healthcare, education, employment, and housing services; we offered families support and information; and we partnered with professionals and parents in training and education. Fraser serves children and families in 74 of the 87 counties in Minnesota.

Though much has changed over 90 years, a few things have remained the same. The need for autism, mental health, and disability services remains. And Fraser is still here, in Minnesota, providing these services to infants through adults. 

People like you remain, too. You are what makes us Fraser. You carry on Mrs. Fraser’s legacy, refusing to accept less for any child. You carry on Mrs. Fraser’s legacy, advocating for yourself and others like you. You carry on Mrs. Fraser’s legacy, holding the door open for those who need it most.  

By sponsoring, donating, or attending the gala, you can ensure another 90 years of inclusion and belonging for all. Thank you for continuing to build a community of inclusion.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. In addition to providing supporting individuals and families in our community, Fraser event sponsors receive unique marketing benefits, such as signage, social media advertising, and brand positioning at our events. Contact Sr. Special Events and Volunteer Program Manager Rose Rosario at rose.rosario@fraser.org for information on how you can expand your brand.

Event Details

5:00 p.m. Cocktails, happy hour, and silent auction bidding

6:35 p.m. Dinner

7:05 p.m. Silent auction closes 

7:20 p.m Program begins

8:26 p.m. Final music performance to close the show          

8:30 p.m. Dessert & Coffee

8:30 p.m. Auction item pickup

8:30 p.m. Program ends and the after-party begins

10:00 p.m. Event ends

View photos from our 2024 event here.