Avera Foundation Earns Fifth Consecutive High Performer Distinction

For the fifth consecutive year, Avera Foundation was recognized by the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) with the High Performer distinction for 2023.

AHP recognizes high performance based on organizations that fall within the top 75th percentile in net returns from fundraising efforts, minus expenses. Avera Foundation was recognized in each of the three categories for data based on fiscal year 2022:

• High Performer in the Overall Revenue category, which means that the organization raised more than $29.4 million in net production returns among all U.S. respondents.
• High Performer in the Overall Productivity category, which means that the organization raised more than $1.9 million in net production returns per FTE among all U.S. respondents. Net production returns per FTE is calculated by dividing an organization's net production returns by the number of direct fundraising FTEs (i.e. front-line fundraisers and philanthropy executive staff).
• High Performer in the Health System category, which means the organization raised more than $40.3 million in net production returns among all U.S. health systems. 

Philanthropy is a key aspect of Avera’s strategic agenda because it extends the Avera mission to impact persons and communities across Avera’s 72,000-square-mile footprint in a positive way.

Thanks to more than 18,900 benefactors, the Avera Foundation reported giving of more than $46.6 million during the benchmarking timeframe. Most recently, 10,444 Avera employees donated more than $7 million. Additionally, through generous support, Avera Foundation provided a record setting $23.8 million in disbursements to support those in Avera’s care.

“Generosity is woven throughout Avera’s century-old healing ministry. We are humbled to be joined by thousands of supporters who choose to help our patients, families and colleagues,” said Dzenan Berberovic, Avera Chief Philanthropy Officer. “At Avera, every gift matters because it helps people.”

Philanthropic support has been part of Avera’s health ministry for more than 125 years. “The Sisters were joined by their neighbors and friends when they began caring for the sick, poor and marginalized. In fact, Avera McKennan was founded in 1911 thanks to Helen Gale McKennan, who upon her passing, directed a $25,000 gift in her will for a new hospital in Sioux Falls – a hospital that would care for all,” Berberovic said. “Our hospitals and facilities across Avera have similar stories of generous individuals who stepped forward to join the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters in this noble work.”