history
"A small body of determined spirits
fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission
can alter the course of history."
Mahatma Gandhi
![](https://staging-w.dakmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Dakota-Hospital_2.jpg)
From Hospital to Health Foundation
Dakota Medical Foundation was formed in the 1960s by pioneering physicians and community leaders with the vision to build a progressive new hospital on Fargo’s growing south side. Initial tax-exempt status was granted on May 26, 1962.
A new $1.8 million Dakota Hospital opened two years later, with 76 beds and 11 physicians. It developed into a major referral center and became renowned for its kidney dialysis, joint replacement, open heart surgery, and multiple other specialties. It was known, too, for its deeply dedicated physicians, high-quality patient care, and pursuit of continual innovation.
Eventually, the hospital was sold to a for-profit organization, and the proceeds began the $94 million DMF endowment with a mission to impact health in our region.
Since its inception, DMF has invested over $100 million to operate health initiatives and fund strategies that strengthen the results of over 500 North Dakota and western Minnesota nonprofits.
Dakota Medical Foundation
A History
TIMELINE
1960s
The Beginning
'62
• Dakota Medical Foundation formed to own and operate Dakota Hospital.
• IRS approval granted.
'63
• Groundbreaking held.
• Fundraising begins, guided by 40 original members.
'64
• Nearly $2 million Dakota Hospital opens with over 75 beds and roughly ten doctors.
![](https://staging-w.dakmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Dakota-Hospital_2.jpg)
1970s
The Expansion
• Dakota Hospital becomes known for hip and knee joint replacements
• Hospital expands to more than 180 beds
1980s
The Second Expansion
• Dakota Hospital adds nearly 100 more beds bringing the total to 265.
• Open-heart and neurosurgery capabilities are added to the hospital and kidney dialysis expands.
• 14 satellite clinics are added in North Dakota and Minnesota laying the foundation for future DMF programming and membership.
1990s
The Sale
'94
• DMF sells half of the hospital to a for-profit company based in Houston, TX.
'96
• DMF awards first grant.
'98
• The other half of the hospital sold to the same for-profit company, bringing DMF’s endowment to nearly $95 million.
2000
• Pat Traynor hired as DMF president.
![Pat Traynor, Dakota Medical Foundation Executive Director](https://staging-w.dakmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Timeline-Pat-683x1024.jpg)
2000s
The New Era
'00
• Board adopts first strategic plan, focusing on medical and dental care access with an emphasis on children.
'01
• DMF matching begins
• Nearly 25 lives saved with AED initiative
• Charitable giving funds established at the Foundation
'02
• DMF launches statewide initiative that connects thousands of uninsured families with low-cost health coverage.
'04
• First scholarship funds aimed at healthcare workforce development created.
• DMF provides $400,000 to enroll more than 50 nursing students in the tri-colleges.
'05
• With the support from the Alex Stern Family Foundation, DMF founds Impact Foundation to provide development, resources, and government-contract procurement assistance.
'07
• New Impact website launches that allows nonprofits to receive online donations.
• Lend a Hand Up created to provide resources and match funds for volunteer-led benefits for families in medical crisis.
'08
• DMF’s flagship event, Giving Hearts Day, launches and mobilizes area nonprofits to secure more than $475,000 in the 24-hour give-a-thon’s first year.
'09
• With a strategic focus on chronic disease prevention, DMF partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota to start statewide worksite wellness program.
• Along with community groups, DMF launches CassClayAlive!, bringing active living and healthy eating habits to local schools and childcare facilities.
2010s
The Endless Opportunity
'11
• DMF and Impact release an updated transfer of wealth study that projects $95 billion will be given to North Dakota charities over the next 50 years.
'12
• DMF celebrates 50th anniversary.
• Breakthrough Idea Challenge funds innovative health-improvement ideas from the public.
• Giving Hearts Day expands west, with 10 Bismarck organizations participating.
• Ground is broken for a new state-of-the-art, collaborative DMF building.
![Dakota Medical Foundation building](https://staging-w.dakmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Timeline-Building-scaled.jpg)
'13
• DMF Center for Excellence and Innovation opens allowing area nonprofits a space to hold meetings and events.
• Alex Stern Family Foundation sponsors the board room, with significant gifts also coming from Gate City Bank and SEI Investments.
'14
• $6.3 million gift establishes North Dakota Dental Foundation fund at DMF.
'15
• Giving Hearts Day becomes statewide event and nears $7 million in total donations.
• New Giving Hearts Day website replaces manual distribution of donations to nearly 300 charities and funds.
'16
• DMF founds Pledge to Protect, uniting more than 25 area organizations in the fight to end child sexual abuse.
![Mayors Blue Ribbon Commission on Addiction](https://staging-w.dakmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Timeline-Blue-Ribbon-1024x768.jpg)
• To combat the community addiction epidemic, DMF coordinates and launches Mayors Blue Ribbon Commission on Addiction.
• Nearly 15,000 individual donors contribute on Giving Hearts Day and the event continues to grow, raising nearly $8.5 million.
• SAMHSA Drug Free Communities Grant received, allowing LevelUp Fargo to be funded.
'17
• DMF launches workplace wellness initiative called P5 Performance, which is tasked with creating the healthiest, happiest workplaces in the country in our own backyard.
• Lend A Hand Up celebrates one decade and nearly $13.5 million raised for families over its lifetime.
• Some 15,000 people use the Dakota Medical Foundation building and more than 400 meetings are held.
![Lend a Hand Up](https://staging-w.dakmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Screen-Shot-2019-01-21-at-12.46.06-PM-1024x768.png)
![Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Initiative](https://staging-w.dakmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Nate-in-HBOT-Chamber-1024x684.jpg)
'18
• DMF partners with North Dakota entrepreneur, Gary Tharaldson, and Dr. Daphne Denham to establish the Concussion Care initiative, which provides concussed local student-athletes with free hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
• Giving Hearts Day see most successful year yet, raising more than $13 million for charities.
'19
• Giving Hearts Day 2019 marks the first time a charity raise $1 million during the generous 24-hour period and the first year the day eclipsed the 30,000 donor mark.
• Lend a Hand Up expands into the Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
'20
Pivots and Patience
• Alongside community partner, the Matto Foundation, LevelUp develops a program to delay, decrease and defeat substance abuse, focusing on adolescents.
• Over 34,000 generous donors give $19.2 million on Giving Hearts Day.
'20
• DMF launches COVID-19 help called Helping Hearts to fund the urgent needs of charities and raises $956,219 during a 19-Day campaign.
• 34,711 Giving Hearts donate $19.2 Million on Giving Hearts Day.
'21
• Child Sexual Abuse Prevention curriculum online format was introduced.
• Giving Hearts Day 2021 results: $22 Million raised, 790 volunteer pledges, 235 goods pledged. Heartcast was produced and streamed on YouTube throughout Giving Hearts Day.
'22
• Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifted DMF with a $10 million gift.
• 41,117 generous donors give $26,643,931 on Giving Hearts Day.
'23
• Digital Addiction is addressed during the inaugural DMF Summit.
• Over 41,907 generous donors give over $26 million on Giving Hearts Day.