Avera Health
Avera Health is a nonprofit health system based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and is classified as a public charity. It serves South Dakota and surrounding areas of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota, with a footprint of 72,000 square miles and a population of about 1 million. Avera Health is the parent organization supporting affiliated tax-exempt health care organizations.
Avera Health at a glance
In short: Avera Health gave $6.2M across 109 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in South Dakota. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,160,190
- -16.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 109
- -6.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $56,516
- -11.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,737
- Total assets
- $2,578,930,497
- +11.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (16 of 109, 2025)
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Avera Health
- How to Apply
-
Avera accepts requests for donations, sponsorships or other support through its Community Partnership/Donation Request process. It asks organizations to submit requests on its form and to submit requests for emerging needs at least six weeks in advance.
- Review Cycle
- Avera strongly suggests submitting requests by April 1 for the coming fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. The April 1, 2026 deadline for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 has passed; requests received after the suggested date are reviewed as needed and as resources permit.
- Deadline
- Avera strongly suggests submitting requests by April 1 for the coming fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3900 West Avera Drive 300, Sioux Falls, SD 57108
Phone: (605) 322-7300
Website: https://avera.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Avera Health funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Sioux Falls Catholic School Corporation ($850K). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
568 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 432 grants of 568 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Community Partnership Program considers requests from Avera’s service area, defined as central and eastern South Dakota, western Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, southern North Dakota and northern Nebraska. In 2025, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Dakota; the remaining reported shares were Minnesota (3%), Maryland (3%), Ohio (1%) and New York (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 109 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Avera Health open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 16 of 109 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $44K; repeat grants $59K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.8M (2022) to $17.7M (2021). In 2025 it made 109 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls Catholic School Corporation Sioux Falls, SD | Donation | $850,000 |
| Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD | Donation | $525,018 |
| Northern State University Aberdeen, SD | Donation | $500,000 |
| South Dakota State University Brookings, SD | Donation | $395,005 |
| Mount Marty University Yankton, SD | Donation | $229,000 |
| University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD | Donation | $200,000 |
| South Dakota Community Foundation Pierre, SD | Community Development | $189,541 |
| Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare Bethesda, MD | Donation | $189,100 |
| Feeding South Dakota Sioux Falls, SD | Donation | $163,250 |
| University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | Donation | $163,214 |
Ready to take the next step with Avera Health?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing states that Avera’s endowment consists of funds established for purposes related to health and wellness programs in affiliated organizations.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,578,930,497 | $359,131,383 | $362,404,570 | $6,160,190 | 109 | $23,200,058 |
| 2024 | $2,306,128,147 | $278,424,080 | $280,386,542 | $7,379,968 | 116 | $13,888,133 |
| 2023 | $1,738,162,649 | $285,338,511 | $291,882,361 | $7,536,991 | 112 | $12,851,478 |
| 2022 | $1,756,534,821 | $441,737,044 | $292,380,913 | $4,772,835 | 116 | $6,476,988 |
| 2021 | $1,761,941,902 | $323,568,990 | $333,143,247 | $17,739,684 | 115 | $17,107,893 |
| 2020 | $1,513,047,085 | $295,600,192 | $266,728,621 | $5,620,735 | 103 | $1,602,327 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Avera’s mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values. Its website says community partnership requests should align with its mission or strategic plan and may support environmental, social and governance initiatives; physical and mental health and wellness; unmet community health needs; active and healthy lifestyles; and civic or community development.
The 2025 grantees include educational institutions, community organizations and health-service providers. For example, Mount Marty University describes its mission as preparing students for work, service and personal growth in the Catholic Benedictine liberal arts tradition. Lewis and Clark Behavioral says it provides mental health services to South Dakota residents, while Sioux Empire United Way describes its mission as leading a unified response to community needs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Avera reported 109 grants totaling $6,160,190. Grants ranged from $5,100 to $850,000, with a median of $17,737. The largest listed awards included $850,000 to Sioux Falls Catholic School Corporation, $525,018 to Southeast Technical College, $500,000 to Northern State University, $395,005 to South Dakota State University and $229,000 to Mount Marty University. The listed purposes for these awards were donations.
Avera’s Community Partnership Program requires applicants to be nonprofit entities. It excludes political election campaigns, requests from individuals or individual teams, individual medical expenses and for-profit entities. Organizations seeking support for multiple events or programs in a year must combine them on one form, including requests for in-kind support. Requests from outside Avera’s service area are not considered. Avera notes that prior funding does not guarantee future support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James Dover as President/CEO, Lori Essig as Chair and Doneen Hollingsworth as Vice Chair. It also lists Sister Debra Kolecka, Sister Candyce Chrystal, Sister Roxanne Seifert, Sister Lucille Welbig, Sister Mary Kay Panowicz, Dr. Luis Rojas-Espaillat and Jacquelyn Johnson as board members.
Avera Health is led by Bob Sutton, Former President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 16 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bob Sutton
Former President & CEO
President, CEO & Board Member → President & CEO, 2024
President & CEO → Former President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
$1.8M (2020) → $248K (2025)
Debbie Streier
President, CEO & Marshall
President & CEO - Marshall → President & CEO - Avera Marshall, 2023
President & CEO - Avera Marshall → President, CEO & Marshall, 2024
On filings since 2022
$473K (2022) → $578K (2025)
Daniel Bjerknes
President, CEO & St. Luke's
On filings since 2024
$503K (2024) → $543K (2025)
Hillary Rockwell
President, CEO & Queen of Peace
On filings since 2024
$245K (2024) → $502K (2025)
James Dover
President & CEO
On filings since 2024
45 hrs/week
$396K (2024) → $2.5M (2025)
Ronald Place
President, CEO & McKennan
On filings since 2024
$727K (2024) → $1.1M (2025)
Shantel Krebs
President, CEO & St. Mary's
On filings since 2024
$83K (2024) → $447K (2025)
Doug EkerenRetired May
President, CEO & Sacred Heart
New on the 2025 filing
$640K (2025)
Lori Essig
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Flicek
Chief Operating Officer & Vice President
President & CEO - Avera McKennan → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
Chief Operating Officer → Chief Operating Officer & Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$1.2M (2020) → $1.5M (2025)
Richard Korman
Chief Legal Officer & Secretary
Senior Vice President - General Counsel → Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel, 2023
Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel → Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$691K (2020) → $910K (2025)
Julie Lautt
CFO & Treasurer
CFO Avera Health, Secretary & Treasurer → CFO, Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
CFO, Secretary & Treasurer → CFO & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$904K (2021) → $1.3M (2025)
Bruk Kammerman
Senior Vice President - Chief Information
Senior Vice President - Chief Information Officer → Senior Vice President - Chief Information, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$561K (2022) → $855K (2025)
Kevin Post DO
Chief Medical Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$533K (2022) → $1M (2025)
Casey Swenson MD
Radiology
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$734K (2024) → $861K (2025)
Shandon Hatch MD
Radiology
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$657K (2024) → $867K (2025)
Yassine Kanaan MD
Radiology
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$1.1M (2025)
Clark Sinclair
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doneen Hollingsworth
Vice Chair
Director → Board Member, 2023
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Wickersham
Board Member, Family Practice & Ob Phys
Board Member & Family Medicine → Board Member, Family Medicine & Obgyn, 2024
Board Member, Family Medicine & Obgyn → Board Member, Family Practice & Ob Phys, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Luis Rojas-Espaillat
Board Member & Gynecologic Oncology
Chair → Chair & Gynecologic Oncology, 2024
Chair & Gynecologic Oncology → Board Member & Gynecologic Oncology, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Fouberg
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sister Mary Kay Panowicz
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Wang
Board Member & Neonatology
Director → Board Member & Neonatology, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sister Roxanne Seifert
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sister Debra Kolecka
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sister Mary Jaeger
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sister Candyce Chrystal
Board Member
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacquelyn Johnson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sister Lucille Welbig
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: David Erickson (2020–2024) — Former Chief Medical Officer
- Former: Sister Pam Donelan (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Doug Ekeren (2021–2024) — President, CEO & Sacred Heart
- Former: Kimberly Jensen (2022–2024) — Chief Human Resources Officer
- Former: Wayne Kindle (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas Clark Former (2024) — Chief Strategy & Growth Officer
- Former: Sister Penny Bingham (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Todd Forkel (2020–2023) — Former Key Employee
- Former: Andrew Burchett (2023) — Chief Medical Information Officer
- Former: David Erickson Left (2023) — Chief Medical Officer
- Former: Thomas Clark Left (2023) — Chief Strategy & Growth Officer
- Former: Sister Debra Kolecka OSB (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sister Mary Jaeger PVBM (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tom Clark (2021–2022) — Chief Strategy & Growth Officer
- Former: Deanna Larson - Left (2022) — CEO - Ecare
- Former: Gary Gaspar-part year (2022) — Chair
- Former: Deanna Larson (2020–2021) — CEO - Ecare
- Former: Gary Gaspar (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: James Veline - Senior Vice (2020–2021) — President - Chief Information Officer
- Former: Merritt Gregg Warren (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Robin Bates - Executive VP (2020–2021) — Insurance Svcs & Population
- Former: Sister Janet Horstman (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jim Breckenridge (2021) — Former CFO Avera Health, Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Richard Molseed (2021) — Executive Vice President - Governance & Strategy
- Former: James Breckenridge-Left (2020) — CFO Avera Health, Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Julie Lautt - Joined (2020) — CFO Avera Health, Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $2.5M, to James Dover (President/CEO). 16 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Avera Health
How much does Avera Health give each year?
Avera Health gave $6.2M across 109 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.4M across 116 grants.
What is Avera Health's typical grant size?
Avera Health's median grant in 2025 was $17,737, and its average grant was $56,516, across 109 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Avera Health that year got $44K on average.
Where does Avera Health give grants?
Avera Health gives mostly in South Dakota: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sioux Falls, SD (58 grants), Aberdeen, SD (9 grants), Pierre, SD (7 grants) and Brookings, SD (5 grants).
Does Avera Health give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 109 grants with a stated purpose on Avera Health's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (93 grants), "Scholarship" (8 grants) and "Community Development" (8 grants).
Who are Avera Health's largest grantees?
Avera Health's largest 2025 grantees include Sioux Falls Catholic School Corporation ($850,000), Southeast Technical College ($525,018) and Northern State University ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Avera Health?
Avera Health reported $2.6B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $359.1M.
What does Avera Health fund?
Avera’s mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Avera Health?
Avera accepts requests for donations, sponsorships or other support through its Community Partnership/Donation Request process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Avera Health's EIN?
Avera Health's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0422673. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Avera Health funds
Health Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Avera Health's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in South Dakota
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Avera Health funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/avera-health-morg_1e8b7107ec4843e0882641d60f6a743f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_460422673_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Avera Health funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/avera-health-morg_1e8b7107ec4843e0882641d60f6a743f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Avera Health's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Avera Health down — hundreds of funders to go?