Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) is a public charity and donor-advised fund operator based in Fargo, North Dakota. Established in 1960 and converted from the sale of assets of Dakota Hospital, the foundation has been connecting people to opportunities that improve health since 1962. The organization serves as a recognized leader dedicated to addressing societal health problems and improving health and quality of life across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$63.4M
+21.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+38.9% YoY
Grant Count
62
+29.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+7.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: "We lead initiatives to create a region of the healthiest people, build the fundraising success of charities, and invest in new ideas that create widespread health improvement. We further invest our resources in helping charities become exceptional at fundraising. With adequate money for their missions, organizations multiply their impact on health and quality of life."
Primary Focus Areas:
- Access to Healthcare
- Chronic Disease Prevention
- Organizational Effectiveness
- Innovation
- Health and Medical Grants
- Community Health Grants
- School Health Grants
Grantmaking
The foundation provides responsive grants for community-initiated grant requests that offer innovative, measurable solutions to proven health needs.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its grants and initiative programs in:
- North Dakota (including the following counties: Barnes, Benson, Cass, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Nelson, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Traill, Walsh, and Wells)
- Northwest Minnesota (including Clay County and other Minnesota counties)
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $63.4 million
- Total Revenue: $7.27 million
- Total Expenses: $5.1 million
- Total Liabilities: $15.5 million
- Total Giving: $2,495,292
Previous Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $52,312,824
- Total Income: $5,691,966
Organization Details:
- Annual Revenue: $12.6 million
- Employees: 20
- Tax-exempt status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since September 2002
- EIN: 45-6012318
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $63,404,681 | $52,312,824 | $52,060,248 |
| Revenue | $7,274,803 | $5,251,213 | $15,266,373 |
| Expenses | $5,100,203 | $4,919,172 | $4,017,901 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,514,511 | $1,768,978 | $1,632,592 |
| 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
231 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lend A Hand Up ($340,435), North Dakota Dental Foundation ($264,567), North Dakota Office of the Governor ($165,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Association Minnetonka, MN | Provide support services, care options and education regarding Alzheimer's and dementia | $101,500 |
| Anne Carlsen Center Jamestown, ND | Support for kids with diabilities and special education needs | $55,050 |
| Bio Girls Fargo, ND | Promote self-esteem and mental well being in adolescent girls | $7,250 |
| Blue Angels Foundation Pensacola, FL | Support wounded veterans | $100,000 |
| Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation Ulen, MN | Provide support for veterans and raise awareness of PTSD among veterans | $8,000 |
| Bridging the Gap Fargo, ND | Provide health and wellness items to school age youth | $5,510 |
| Calvary Lutheran Church Grand Forks, ND | Funding for bikes and helmets for kids in need | $13,717 |
| Capstone Classical Academy Fargo, ND | Provide scholarships to students | $10,500 |
| Central Cass School District Casselton, ND | Medical and mental health support for students | $5,500 |
| CHI Friendship Fargo, ND | New building campaign, Christmas gifts | $12,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Executives:
- Deb Watne: Donor Impact Director
- Mike Schumacher: Chief Financial Officer
- Damon Gleave: Chief Financial Officer
- Emily Jones: Development Director
- Amanda Sayre: Chief Program Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Lauf DDS | Chair | 4 | — |
| Nola McNeally JD | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Chris Kennelly | Secretary | 3 | — |
| Eric Monson | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Susan Mathison MD | Director | 2 | — |
| David Akkerman MD | Director | 2 | — |
| Barbra Brookshire OD | Director | 2 | — |
| Julene Brown RN | Director | 2 | — |
| Jessica Kuhn CNP | Director | 2 | — |
| Kim Meyer | Director | 2 | — |
| Jennifer Thompson | Director | 2 | — |
| John Deutsch Pharm D | Director (Until 9/24) | 2 | — |
| Vanessa Coulter APRN CNP | Director (As of 5/24) | 2 | — |
| Amanda Thomas | Director (Until 1/24) | 2 | — |
| J Patrick Traynor | Executive Director | 20 | $241,062 |
| Michael Schumacher | CFO (Until 4/24)/CIO | 20 | $67,767 |
| Damon Gleave | CFO (As of 5/24) | 20 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation received a $10 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, described as a "game-changer" for the organization's work.
Dakota Medical Foundation receives $10 million from MacKenzie Scott | TheThe foundation has raised $256 million since its inception through various giving initiatives.
$256M Raised Since Inception \u2022 Dakota Medical FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dakota Medical Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** "We lead initiatives to create a region of the healthiest people, build the fundraising success of charities, and invest in new ideas that create widespread health improvement. We further invest our resources in helping charities become exceptional at fundraising. With adequate money for their missions, organizations multiply their impact on health and quality of life." **Primary Focus Areas:** • Access to Healthcare • Chronic Disease Prevention • Organizational Effective…
How do I apply for a grant from Dakota Medical Foundation?
The foundation provides responsive grants for community-initiated grant requests that offer innovative, measurable solutions to proven health needs. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,175–$343,355 • Total giving (2024): $2,495,292 **Notable Initiatives:** **Lend A Hand Up Initiative:** Established in 2007 to provide financial and fundraising assistance to families and individuals in Cass County, ND and Clay County, MN experiencing financial hardships due to catastrophic medica…
Where does Dakota Medical Foundation make grants?
The foundation focuses its grants and initiative programs in: • North Dakota (including the following counties: Barnes, Benson, Cass, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Nelson, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Traill, Walsh, and Wells) • Northwest Minnesota (including Clay County and other Minnesota counties)
What size grants does Dakota Medical Foundation award?
In 2024, Dakota Medical Foundation awarded 62 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Dakota Medical Foundation's EIN?
Dakota Medical Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6012318. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dakota Medical Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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