Sanford Group Return
Sanford Group Return is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, operating as a group return entity under the parent exemption from Sanford Health. The organization is the largest rural health system in the United States, dedicated to transforming the healthcare experience and providing access to world-class healthcare in America's heartland. Sanford operates hospital facilities and provides medical services at every level, from critical access hospitals to tertiary and quaternary care.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.3B
+13.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$25.9M
-36.6% YoY
Grant Count
166
-13.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$156K
-27.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Sanford Health is committed to the healthcare needs of communities throughout the Upper Midwest. The organization provides a full range of primary and specialty healthcare services and strives to be the premier rural health system in the United States.
Service Area: The Sanford footprint of owned, leased, and managed sites includes over 250,000 square miles with a nine-state service area. The network includes children's primary care clinic locations across the country and internationally. Sanford operates full-time emergency centers and provides emergency care to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
Primary Focus Areas: Higher education, education nonprofits, science education, STEM education, community health, disaster preparedness and relief, and health and medical services.
Grantmaking
Sanford Group Return reported total giving of $47,489,473 in recent filings. The organization engages in grantmaking activities focused on healthcare advancement and community health initiatives.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Sanford operates across a nine-state service area in the Upper Midwest and maintains a presence across the country and internationally through its network of primary care clinics.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenue: $6,110,580,553
- Total Expenses: $5,829,138,669
- Total Assets: $4,274,026,030
- Total Liabilities: $1,140,000,000 (approximately)
- Number of Employees: 3,271
Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Revenue: $5,738,655,914
- Total Expenses: $5,373,525,192
- Revenues Less Expenses: $365,130,722
- Total Assets: $3,759,919,108
- Total Liabilities: $1,129,335,603
- Net Assets/Fund Balances: $2,630,583,505
Additional Financial Activity:
- Lobbying Expenditures (2023): $592,687
- Advertising Fees (2023): $20,529,796
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,274,026,030 | $3,759,919,108 | $3,581,478,897 |
| Revenue | $6,110,580,553 | $5,738,655,914 | $5,321,937,014 |
| Expenses | $5,829,138,669 | $5,373,525,192 | $5,161,087,710 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $21,264,847 | $19,460,626 | $9,136,742 |
| 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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Concordia College ($3,306,000), Augustana ($2,166,750), City of Bemidji ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 218 SPORTS INC BEMIDJI, MN | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $20,000 |
| ABBOTT HOUSE INC MITCHELL, SD | PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS AND HOUSING | $10,000 |
| ABERDEEN DEVELOPMENT CORP ABERDEEN, SD | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| ABERDEEN FAMILY YMCA ABERDEEN, SD | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ABERDEEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABERDEEN, SD | COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT | $44,000 |
| ACTIVE GENERATIONS SIOUX FALLS, SD | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $30,590 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ATLANTA, GA | COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES | $15,500 |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION NEW YORK, NY | COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES | $7,500 |
| AMERICAN GOLD GYMNASTICS FARGO, ND | COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES | $40,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES | $36,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
William Brunner, MD, serves as a Physician and Individual Trustee with the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BILL GASSEN | TRUSTEE, PRESIDENT & CEO | 23.7 | — |
| ANDY NORTH | TRUSTEE, SECRETARY, INDEP CONTRACTOR | 1.91 | $379,383 |
| LAURIS MOLBERT | TRUSTEE, CHAIRPERSON | 1.91 | $107,199 |
| BRENT TEIKEN | TRUSTEE | 1.91 | $84,246 |
| JAMES CAIN | TRUSTEE, TREASURER | 1.91 | $81,651 |
| MARNIE HERMANN | TRUSTEE, VICE CHAIR | 1.91 | $80,382 |
| NEIL GULSVIG | TRUSTEE, PAST CHAIR | 1.91 | $80,055 |
| MARK LUNDEEN MD | TRUSTEE | 1.91 | $80,000 |
| DAVID SHULKIN | TRUSTEE (START 1/24) | 1.91 | $79,826 |
| STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN | TRUSTEE (START 1/24) | 1.91 | $78,750 |
| WESLEY ENGBRECHT | TRUSTEE | 1.91 | $77,594 |
| DANA DYKHOUSE | TRUSTEE (START 1/24) | 1.91 | $76,727 |
| SCOTT WOOTEN | EVP, CFO (END 4/24) | 23.7 | — |
| NICK OLSON | EVP, CFO (BEG 4/24) | 23.7 | — |
| BILL MARLETTE | INTERIM, EVP, CFO (END 1/24) | 23.7 | — |
| MATT HOCKS | EVP, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 54 | — |
| JENNIFER GRENNAN | EVP, CHIEF ADMIN OFFICER | 51 | — |
| MICHAEL LEBEAU MD | SVP, HEALTH SVC OPERATIONS | 50 | — |
| PAUL HANSON | PRESIDENT & CEO, SIOUX FALLS | 60 | — |
| TIFFANY LAWRENCE | PRESIDENT & CEO, FARGO | 55 | — |
| TODD SCHAFFER | PRESIDENT & CEO, BISMARCK | 60 | — |
| KARLA EISCHENS | PRESIDENT & CEO, BEMIDJI | 60 | — |
| WILLIAM BRUNNER MD | PHYSICIAN | 60 | $3,286,993 |
| ADAM STYS MD | PHYSICIAN | 60 | $3,250,190 |
| TOMASZ STYS MD | PHYSICIAN | 60 | $2,911,937 |
| ERIC BELANGER MD | PHYSICIAN | 60 | $2,885,080 |
| ALEXANDER DROFA MD | PHYSICIAN | 60 | $2,835,917 |
| DON JACOBS | FORMER TRUSTEE | — | $13,502 |
| MICHELLE BRUHN | FORMER EVP, CFO & TREASURER | — | — |
| SUSAN JARVIS | FORMER PRESIDENT & CEO, BEMIDJI | 60 | — |
| BRYAN NERMOE | FORMER PRESIDENT & CEO, FARGO | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Sanford has been active in advancing healthcare initiatives, including awards for heart diagnosis and care advancement. The organization has also participated in community revitalization programs, including the Lee County Hometown Revitalization Program.
Sanford awarded grant to advance heart diagnosis and care - Sanford HealthFrequently Asked Questions
What does Sanford Group Return fund?
**Mission:** Sanford Health is committed to the healthcare needs of communities throughout the Upper Midwest. The organization provides a full range of primary and specialty healthcare services and strives to be the premier rural health system in the United States. **Service Area:** The Sanford footprint of owned, leased, and managed sites includes over 250,000 square miles with a nine-state service area. The network includes children's primary care clinic locations across the country and inter…
How do I apply for a grant from Sanford Group Return?
Sanford Group Return reported total giving of $47,489,473 in recent filings. The organization engages in grantmaking activities focused on healthcare advancement and community health initiatives. Recent grant activity includes awards for heart diagnosis and care advancement and rural healthcare support through the Sanford Chairman's Grant program, which has awarded $200,000 for rural healthcare initiatives.
Where does Sanford Group Return make grants?
Sanford operates across a nine-state service area in the Upper Midwest and maintains a presence across the country and internationally through its network of primary care clinics.
What size grants does Sanford Group Return award?
In 2024, Sanford Group Return awarded 166 grants totaling $25.9M — an average of about $156K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Sanford Group Return's EIN?
Sanford Group Return's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3791176. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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