Community Generosity Inspires Record Year for Avera Foundation
Dzenan Berberovic
The Avera Foundation experienced an extraordinary year of support in fiscal year 2026, with a record-setting $119.6 million generated to support the people, places and programs in every corner of Avera’s 72,000-square-mile footprint.
A total of 21,643 benefactors supported Avera, including 4,681 first-time supporters and 3,478 loyal donors who have donated to Avera for five or more consecutive years.
The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) honored Avera Foundation as both an Overall Productivity High Performer and Overall Revenue High Performer in the 2026 Report on Giving, recognizing performance in the top quartile of participating organizations nationwide. Avera has now achieved AHP High Performer status for eight consecutive years, a recognition that celebrates the generosity of our benefactors and the difference their support makes in the lives of patients and families.
“At Avera, every gift matters. The generosity of our benefactors is already bringing hope, healing and answers to people who turn to us in times of need. Every gift reflects a person’s desire to care for someone else,” said Dzenan Berberovic, EdD, CFRE, Chief Development Officer and Foundation President for Avera Health.
Last year, supporters entrusted 30,475 individual gifts to Avera Foundation.
22,131 gifts were $100 or less, demonstrating that every gift matters.
39 individuals and families chose to care for future generations through legacy gifts. Their commitments brought membership in Founders, the Foundation’s legacy society, to more than 460.
Avera colleagues contributed more than $30 million during the past five years.
Highlights of the past year are chronicled in the Avera Foundation’s online Gratitude Report. Avera Foundation experienced these milestones over the past year:
The Avera Women’s and Children’s Center, home of the Avera Golisano Children’s Hospital, will open in 2027 and enhance care for children and families.
Through the Foundation’s historic Tomorrow’s Promise Campaign, hundreds of supporters are enhancing care for newborns, children, and families we will serve for generations.
Patients and families were welcomed to the new Avera Cancer Institute in Yankton, home of the Ness Family Center.
The 38th Avera Race Against Cancer raised more than $1 million to support local patients and families.
Philanthropic support helped expand behavioral health services across the region.
Benefactor generosity helped expand hospice services, providing comfort and compassionate care to patients and their loved ones.
Supporters helped meet immediate, life-saving patient and resident needs and provide updated equipment across Avera.
Generous supporters also helped launch new programs and accelerate promising initiatives, allowing more people to benefit from care sooner.
“We are grateful for the generosity and trust of our benefactors. Their support means the world to us. Each day, their generosity helps provide exceptional care for patients, residents and families across every Avera community,” Berberovic said.
Learn more at Avera.org/Foundation