Avera Foundation Reports Record-Setting Giving in 2025

The Avera Foundation set a new annual fundraising record in fiscal year 2025, raising more than $59.7 million - the highest total in its history.

This achievement was made possible by 21,038 supporters, the most ever recorded in a single year. Among them were 4,296 new donors who made their first gift to Avera, and 3,691 loyal donors who have given for five consecutive years.

The year also included 40 individuals and families who established legacy gifts through planned giving - known as Founders - demonstrating a lasting commitment to Avera's mission of serving the poor, vulnerable and marginalized.

"We are reminded daily that Avera means the world to people. Gifts from our generous supporters help make life better for those we serve, their loved ones and our caregivers," said Dzenan Berberovic, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Avera. "Numerous facilities and programs at Avera simply wouldn't be here if not for our supporters, and for that we are grateful."

Current philanthropy projects at Avera include:

• Tomorrow's Promise, a $50 million campaign to expand and enhance comprehensive care services. This is the largest fundraising campaign in the region to support facility upgrades specifically for women and their families.
• The Caring for Life fund supports programs, services and facilities across the Avera footprint, including just-in-time assistance for patients and families including lodging and meals for out-of-town patients.
• Light the Way supports behavioral health needs and programs at Avera including suicide prevention, rural access to behavioral health services, 24/7 behavioral health urgent care and more. Generous donations helped provide expansion of behavioral health services at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD, in 2025.
• Hospice gifts go toward ensuring that no one must go without comfort and support services at end of life if they don't have insurance coverage.

"Our generous supporters continue to ensure projects like these happen. They see the need and want to help meet that need," Berberovic said. Avera Foundation's annual Gratitude Report provides more details about foundation work over the past year.

This year's Avera Race Against Cancer in May was also a record-setting event, with $765,000 raised and 7,745 participants. The annual race has raised a total of $12 million for the past 37 years. Avera Race events are held in all six regional centers of Avera: Sioux Falls, Yankton, Mitchell, Pierre, Aberdeen, SD, and Marshall, MN. Proceeds go toward complementary therapies such as the arts in healing and mind-body movement classes, wigs for cancer patients, specialized equipment and comfort items.

"We are excited about the future. Our supporters - individuals, families, foundations and organizations - are part of a lasting legacy that benefits the lives of many," Berberovic said. "Their impact ripples into the lives of every child and adult we serve."

Avera Foundation has been recognized by the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) with the High Performer distinction for six years. This distinction represents the top 75^th percentile in net returns from fundraising efforts.

"The Sisters who founded Avera hospitals and nursing homes were supported by concerned community members who wanted to make a difference," Berberovic said. "That tradition of giving continues. People want to join the Avera mission and ministry. At Avera, every dollar counts. Every gift matters - because it helps people," Berberovic said.

Learn more at AveraFoundation.org