Annual Gratitude Report

This year’s Gratitude Report celebrates you and the countless remarkable moments you create! On behalf of those we serve, thank you from all of us at the Avera Foundation.

Our 2026 Gratitude Report features stories of inspiration — stories of impact, hope and healing — made possible by the generosity of donors.

Key Topics

Your Impact

Building What's Next

Stories of Gratitude

Record-Breaking Avera Race

To Our Donors: Thank You

Dzenan Berberovic Every day, patients come to Avera during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. When they do, they find more than expert care. They find compassion, community and hope, made possible in large part because of your support.

Our annual Gratitude Report is a celebration of your generosity, and an inspiring reflection on all we’ve accomplished together. You'll hear about the announcement of B. Thomas Golisano's historic gift to support women and children, the opening of our newest Avera Cancer Institute location and beautiful patient and family stories that exemplify how generosity heals.

Year after year, I think to myself, it can’t possibly get better than this — and yet, it does. Because with your support, there are always more lives touched, more milestones reached and more reasons to be grateful!

Most sincerely,

Dzenan Berberovic
Chief Development Officer & Foundation President
Avera Health

The Magnitude of Your Impact

21,643

Total benefactors

4,681

Supporters gave for the first time

3,478

Consecutive-year donors (5+ years)

$119.6 Million

Total funds and resources generated to support the people, places and programs of Avera

Data reflects funds generated from 7/1/2025 to 6/30/2026.

Together, We’re Building What’s Next

Avera is here to support our patients and our community’s medical needs by building to accommodate current and future population growth.

Generations of Impact

We’re thrilled to announce that our new children’s hospital at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center has a name: the Avera Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Philanthropist, entrepreneur and child health advocate B. Thomas Golisano made a historic $35 million investment in our Tomorrow’s Promise Campaign — the single largest gift in Avera’s history. His goal is simple: to give our kids outstanding care closer to home.

“Children and families should not have to travel long distances to get the care they need,” said Mr. Golisano. “I believe in Avera’s leadership, and I’m proud to support its commitment to expanding services and improving care for children across the region.”

The new hospital will welcome more families like the Duncans, whose twin baby girls arrived nearly two months ahead of schedule. “Our Sutton was born at 3 pounds and 15 ounces, and Saige was born at 2 pounds and 6 ounces,” said their mom, Alana.

Three months of 24/7, expert NICU care at Avera gave the Duncans reassurance through every uncertain moment — and the confidence that their girls were in the very best hands. “We're ready for sure to be home, but these nurses have been amazing,” Alana added.

We are deeply grateful to Mr. Golisano and to all our campaign’s generous supporters for helping fulfill the promise of healthier futures for children and families across our region.

The Future of Children's Care

Building Hope Here Campaign supporters cute ribbon.

Hope Close to Home

We have officially opened the doors to the Avera Cancer Institute’s Ness Family Center, a milestone made possible by the extraordinary generosity of our Building Hope Here Campaign supporters.

In June, we welcomed our first guests inside for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from our oncology leadership team about the bright future of cancer care at Avera. At the new facility, patients can now access medical oncology, radiation oncology, chemotherapy infusion, clinical research, genetic counseling and other support services all under a single roof.

A New Era of Cancer Care

Stories of Gratitude

Photo os a sign with a quote from Winston Churchill, Never, never, never give up.

Never, Never, Never Give Up When Steve and Sandy learned that accepting hospice care didn’t mean giving up, they opened their home — and their hearts — to an Avera@Home team that quickly became like family.

In the Name of Love A Sioux Falls woman’s beautiful connection with her mother, and the extraordinary care they both received from Avera, inspired one of the most heartfelt estate gifts we’ve ever received.

Group of Avera employees wearing the 2026 Avera Cares shirts.

The Heart of Avera In every department of every facility, Avera employees go above and beyond, contributing gifts through our Foundation. Hear what inspires them to give back to the health ministry they love.

A family running toward the finish line of the Avera Race.

A Record-Breaking 2026 Avera Race

Raised: More than $1,000,000

Participants: 8,600

Once again, Avera supporters rose to the occasion, making the 2026 Avera Race Against Cancer on May 9 our most successful race in history!

More than 8,600 individuals participated in six Avera Race events and virtually across the U.S. and abroad, in support of cancer survivors, patients, families and a future without cancer.

Together, we raised more than $1,000,000 to support patients and families through Avera Cancer Institute. 100% of race proceeds help to fund advanced screening technology, clinical trials and research, navigation and survivorship services, and whole-person care for the body, mind and spirit.

Mark your calendar for our next race, taking place on May 8, 2027! There are opportunities for everyone to get involved — whether you walk or run, volunteer, sponsor the race, make a one-time donation or cheer on our racers as a sideline supporter. Registration is open now!

For More Stories

Subscribe to the quarterly Together newsletter for inspiring stories of people impacted by Avera and Avera Foundation. Sign Up

Avera Foundation Earns Eighth Consecutive High Performer Distinction

The Avera Foundation continues to be recognized by the Association of Health Philanthropy with the High Performer distinction for the eighth consecutive year. This distinction represents the top 75th percentile in net returns from fundraising efforts.

More About Our Foundation

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