Avera Health is a nonprofit health system based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, serving as an integrated healthcare provider across the Upper Midwest. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity and functions as the parent organization for a network of affiliated tax-exempt healthcare entities. Avera's service area spans approximately 72,000 square miles across South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Dakota, serving a population of approximately 1 million people.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.3B
+32.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.4M
-2.1% YoY
Grant Count
116
+3.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$64K
-5.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Avera Health is a health ministry rooted in the Gospel. The organization'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.
The organization emphasizes core values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship. Avera Health is jointly sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aberdeen, South Dakota and the Benedictine Convent of the Sacred Heart of Yankton, South Dakota.
Primary Focus Areas: Avera's grantmaking priorities include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with geographic emphasis on South Dakota, Minnesota, and New York.
Grantmaking
Avera Health engages in grantmaking activities with typical award ranges of $5,411 to $1,867,032. Total giving reported was $16,682,844 according to the most recent IRS Form 990 filing.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Avera Health's primary service and funding area encompasses:
- Eastern South Dakota
- Surrounding states including Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Dakota
- Secondary funding focus noted in New York
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,306,128,147
- Total Revenues: $278,424,080
- Total Expenses: $280,386,542
- Total Giving: $16,682,844
- Number of Employees: 2,069
Tax-Exempt Status: Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization since July 1993 (EIN: 46-0422673)
Financial Rating: Avera Health received an 85% score, earning a Three-Star rating based on Accountability & Finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,306,128,147 | $1,738,162,649 | $1,756,534,821 |
| Revenue | $278,424,080 | $285,338,511 | $441,737,044 |
| Expenses | $280,386,542 | $291,882,361 | $292,380,913 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $13,888,133 | $12,851,478 | $6,476,988 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: James Dover FACHE
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Dover | President/CEO (Eff 10/2023) | 45 | $396,393 |
| Bob Sutton | President/CEO (End 08/2023) | 45 | $2,080,463 |
| Dr Luis Rojas-Espaillat | Chair, Gynecologic Oncology | 5 | — |
| Lori Essig | Vice Chair | 5 | — |
| Sister Candyce Chrystal | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Sister Pam Donelan | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Robert Fouberg | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Doneen Hollingsworth | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Sister Mary Jaeger | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Dr Wayne Kindle | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Sister Debra Kolecka | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Sister Mary Kay Panowicz | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Sister Roxanne Seifert | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Clark Sinclair | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Dr Katherine Wang | Board Member, Neonatology | 5 | — |
| Dr Jason Wickersham | Board Member, Family Medicine/OBGYN | 5 | — |
| Julie Lautt | CFO, Treasurer | 45 | $1,203,675 |
| Richard Korman | Chief Legal Officer, Secretary | 40 | $808,575 |
| Daniel Bjerknes | President/CEO, St. Luke's | — | $503,084 |
| Doug Ekeren | President/CEO, Sacred Heart | — | $652,618 |
| David Flicek | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $1,371,591 |
| Shantel Krebs | President/CEO, St. Mary's | — | $83,231 |
| Dr Ronald Place | President/CEO, McKennan | — | $726,858 |
| Dr Hillary Rockwell | President/CEO, Queen of Peace | — | $245,314 |
| Debbie Streier | President/CEO, Marshall | — | $489,400 |
| Shandon Hatch | Radiology | — | $656,579 |
| Bruk Kammerman | Sr. VP - Chief Information | 40 | $696,536 |
| Kevin Post | Chief Medical Officer | 40 | $800,524 |
| Casey Swenson | Radiology | — | $733,755 |
| Kimberly Jensen | Chief Human Resources Officer | 40 | $650,782 |
| Thomas Clark Former | Chief Strategy & Growth Officer | 40 | $1,666,396 |
| David Erickson | Former Chief Medical Officer | — | $630,520 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Avera Health received a three-year federal grant to extend virtual nursing programs, with one award noted at $1 million to expand virtual nursing initiatives and address workforce challenges in healthcare delivery.
Avera Receives Three-Year Federal Grant to Extend Virtual NursingSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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