Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) is a public charity based in Fargo, North Dakota. Formed in 1960, it connects people with opportunities to improve health and quality of life in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, and supports initiatives that strengthen charities’ fundraising and service capacity.
Key facts about Dakota Medical Foundation
In short: Dakota Medical Foundation gave $2.3M across 60 grants in 2025 (avg $39K), mostly in North Dakota. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 45-6012318
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,312,844
- Grants made (2025)
- 60
- Average grant
- $38,547
- Median grant
- $10,018
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (14 of 60, 2025)
- Total assets
- $65,637,478
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$65.6M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+7.6% YoY
Grant Count
60
-3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+11.2% YoY
Is Dakota Medical Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 60 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
DMF’s stated aim is to positively impact health in its region. Its grants and initiatives address access to healthcare, organizational effectiveness, health and wellbeing, and donor fulfillment. The foundation also offers charitable funds, donor-advised funds, and endowment funds for individuals, families, businesses, and community groups seeking to support health and quality of life in the region.
The 2024 grants illustrate support for organizations working in varied areas. Lend A Hand Up Inc., which received $340,435, says its mission is to increase financial help for area families experiencing hardship due to a health issue or other traumatic event. The North Dakota Dental Foundation, awarded $264,567, says it works to enhance oral health through access to care, education, and workforce development. Cullen Children’s Foundation, awarded $118,083, says it provides resources to organizations supporting children’s healthcare needs, with an emphasis on cancer. Other grantees included organizations supporting children’s vision care, people with disabilities, emergency shelter services, Alzheimer’s education and support, and wounded veterans.
Grantmaking
In 2024, DMF reported 62 grants totaling $2,149,112. Grants ranged from $5,175 to $340,435, with a median of $11,175. The largest awards included $340,435 to Lend A Hand Up Inc.; $264,567 to the North Dakota Dental Foundation; and $165,000 to the North Dakota Office of the Governor for program support for the First Lady’s platform to address addiction stigma and promote recovery through education and advocacy.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
DMF describes its work as serving North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. In 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Dakota and 7% to recipients in Minnesota. The remaining reported shares went to recipients in Florida (5%), New York (5%), and Pennsylvania (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 60 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
253 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lend A Hand Up Fargo, ND | Financial and community support for individuals experiencing a medical crisis | $475,657 |
| North Dakota Dental Foundation Fargo, ND | Support to attract dentists to ND and support Mission of Mercy free dental care event | $449,812 |
| Peace Academy Inc Fargo, ND | Support of new facility to be used in nurturing children and enriching parents | $358,392 |
| Cullen Children's Foundation West Fargo, ND | Support children's healthcare needs with an emphasis on cancer | $124,605 |
| Optometric Foundation of North Dakota Fargo, ND | Program support to free eye exams to children and eliminate vision problems. | $75,146 |
| HIA Health Fargo, ND | Help people live comfortably and with a sense of normalcy, regardless of terminal illness and provide support to care givers | $54,170 |
| Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center Fargo, ND | Support cancer research | $50,465 |
| American Lung Association ND Chapter Osceola, WI | Support lung research | $50,000 |
| Trinity Lutheran Church of Moorhead Moorhead, MN | Scholarships for children attending Trinity Preschool and general support | $45,000 |
| Churches United for the Homeless Moorhead, MN | Support shelter and food for homeless | $35,030 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $63,404,681 | $7,274,803 | $5,100,203 | $2,149,112 |
| 2023 | $52,312,824 | $5,251,213 | $4,919,172 | $1,546,709 |
| 2022 | $52,060,248 | $15,266,373 | $4,017,901 | $1,213,999 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $65,637,478 | $63,404,681 | $52,312,824 |
| Revenue | $10,550,886 | $7,274,803 | $5,251,213 |
| Expenses | $7,160,046 | $5,100,203 | $4,919,172 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,292,389 | $3,514,511 | $1,768,978 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rob Lauf, DDS, as chair; Nola McNeally, JD, as vice chair; Chris Kennelly as secretary; and Eric Monson as treasurer. Directors listed were Susan Mathison, MD; David Akkerman, MD; Barbra Brookshire, OD; Julene Brown, RN; Jessica Kuhn, CNP; and Kim Meyer.
Dakota Medical Foundation is led by Damon Gleave CFOInterim, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 4 of 16 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Damon Gleave CFOInterim
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
18 hrs/week
$55K (2025)
Rob Lauf DDS
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J Patrick Traynor Executive
Director
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
$329K (2025)
Barbra Brookshire OD
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Akkerman MD
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julene Brown RN
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Meyer
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Thompson
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Kuhn CNP
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Coulter APRN CNP
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Schumacher CIODirector
For the Center of Excellence
New on the 2025 filing
23 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Tara Bujold Director
Of Executive Operations
New on the 2025 filing
26 hrs/week
$122K (2025)
Chris Kennelly
Secretary
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Monson
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nola McNeally JD
Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
Director & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Mathison MD
Past Chair
Director → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Amanda Thomas (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: J Patrick Traynor (2019–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: John Deutsch Pharm D (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Schumacher (2019–2024) — CFO & CIO
- Former: Damon Gleave (2024) — CFO
- Former: Hope Yongsmith MD (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Seth Novak (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Rob Lauf DDS Vice Chair (2023) — Chair
- Former: Amber DeKrey (2021–2022) — Committee Relations Officer
- Former: Ben Meland (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Nancy Slotten (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Richard Vetter (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Sindy Keller (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Cindy Graffeo (2021) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Ann Malmberg RN (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Robert Bakkum (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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
Contact
Mailing address: 4321 20Th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: (701) 271-0263
Website: https://dakmed.org
Frequently asked questions about Dakota Medical Foundation
How much does Dakota Medical Foundation give each year?
Dakota Medical Foundation gave $2.3M across 60 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 62 grants.
What is Dakota Medical Foundation's typical grant size?
Dakota Medical Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,018, and its average grant was $38,547, across 60 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dakota Medical Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does Dakota Medical Foundation give grants?
Dakota Medical Foundation gives mostly in North Dakota: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fargo, ND (40 grants), Moorhead, MN (4 grants), West Fargo, ND (2 grants) and Grand Forks, ND (2 grants).
Does Dakota Medical Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Dakota Medical Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 60) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Dakota Medical Foundation's largest grantees?
Dakota Medical Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lend A Hand Up ($475,657), North Dakota Dental Foundation ($449,812) and Peace Academy Inc ($358,392), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Dakota Medical Foundation?
Dakota Medical Foundation reported $65.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.6M.
What does Dakota Medical Foundation fund?
DMF’s stated aim is to positively impact health in its region. Its grants and initiatives address access to healthcare, organizational effectiveness, health and wellbeing, and donor fulfillment. The foundation also offers charitable funds, donor-advised funds, and endowment funds for individuals, families, businesses, and community groups seeking to support health and quality of life in the region. The 2024 grants illustrate support for organizations working in varied areas. Lend A Hand Up Inc.…
How do I apply for a grant from Dakota Medical Foundation?
In 2024, DMF reported 62 grants totaling $2,149,112. Grants ranged from $5,175 to $340,435, with a median of $11,175. The largest awards included $340,435 to Lend A Hand Up Inc.; $264,567 to the North Dakota Dental Foundation; and $165,000 to the North Dakota Office of the Governor for program support for the First Lady’s platform to address addiction stigma and promote recovery through education and advocacy. Other notable grants included $118,083 to Cullen Children’s Foundation for children’s…
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Dakota Medical Foundation by hand.
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