2022 Annual Report

DAKOTA MEDICAL FOUNDATION

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

WELCOME

We’re Better Together

When we got word this past fall that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott would be making a $10 million gift to DMF, we felt a lot of things. We were humbled that such a high-profile donor felt the Foundation was worthy of this investment; we were appreciative to see our team’s hard work validated; and, most importantly, we were excited imagining all the good that could be done and inspired with such a generous sum.

But it stirred in us another emotion as well: gratitude. The gift reminded us how grateful we are for the privilege of getting to carry out the work of DMF every day but also for all the people who made it possible in the first place: the pioneering physicians who founded Dakota Hospital at great personal sacrifice, the members and volunteers who have supported and promoted DMF causes, and all the staff and partners who over the years have helped make this the healthiest and most generous region bar none.

Ms. Scott’s gift was the culmination of decades of collective effort by countless individuals and organizations and was a reminder of how fortunate we are to be surrounded by some of the most selfless, hardest-working people in the world on a daily basis.

And the gift couldn’t have come at a better time.

As our country grows more divided seemingly by the day and people of all ages continue to suffer at increasing rates from diseases of despair — anxiety, depression, addiction, suicide, and obesity — we believe we’re all called to be a light in a time of darkness. All of this has made us reimagine what DMF could be.

2023 will be a year of reinvention and experimentation, with an eye at all times toward a return to civility, kindness, and care and concern for one’s neighbor. Gandhi implored us to be the change we wish to see in the world, and this year we’ll be doing exactly that. Whether it’s using Giving Hearts Day or Lend A Hand Up to drastically expand volunteerism, developing a curriculum on healthy technology use, or funding increased access to extracurricular activities for underserved populations, we will spread positivity and compassion in everything we do. The possibilities are endless, and we welcome all input and ideas.

Everyone has the ability to make a difference, and it’s our mission to help as many people as possible realize that and put it into action. We’re glad to have you on this journey with us.

Amanda Thomas Board Chair

J. Patrick Traynor, JD Executive Director

Gratefully,

DAKOTA MEDICAL FOUNDATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Rob Lauf, DDS Vice Chair

Dr. Dave Akkerman, MD Board Member

Chris Kennelly, JD Secretary

Dr. Barbra Brookshire, OD Board Member

Eric Monson Treasurer

Nola McNeally, JD Board Member

Julene Brown, RN Board Member

Dr. Susan Mathison, MD Board Member

Seth Novak Immediate Past Chair

John Deutsch, PharmD Board Member

J. Patrick Traynor, JD Executive Director, Ex-Officio

Jennifer Thompson, JD Board Member

Amanda Thomas Chair

Dr. Hope Yongsmith, MD Board Member

Kim Meyer Board Member

WORKING WITH AND THROUGH OTHERS

We know how much more we can accomplish when we mobilize the community for the greater good. Here are some of the ways we did that in 2022:

Estimated Economic Impact 2022

Building “in-kind” usage: $260K

Member/employee match grants: $152K

Grants to charities: $422K

Lend A Hand Up: $1.5M

DMF’s charitable funds distributed to health-related charities: $2.4M

Investment income and other revenue: $2.4M

Outside grants secured: $10.4M

Giving Hearts Day: $26.6M

Impact Foundation was formed in 2004 through the unique partnership of the innovative boards of Dakota Medical Foundation and the Alex Stern Family Foundation. Both boards saw a pressing need for charities to substantially grow their capabilities to impact health and quality of life.

Dakota Medical Foundation is diligent in its choice of investment firms and closely monitors the structure of its portfolio for risk, long-term stability, and performance, as carefully outlined in our investment policies. DMF’s chosen firms predominantly use a “manager of managers” approach, rigorously selecting and overseeing proven individual asset managers. DMF assets are conservatively invested and broadly diversified. DMF has the income stream to operate initiatives, provide grants, and meet operating expenses without liquidating long-term investments during market lows.

Finance and Investment Committee Chair Eric Monson

A GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY

Just in time for the season of gratitude, DMF received a $10 million gift this past fall that is going to significantly expand and accelerate our mission to positively impact health in our community. DMF was selected by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott as one of nearly 350 organizations nationwide with the intention to support “voices and opportunities of people from underserved communities.”

This gift reflects the tireless efforts of the thousands of charities, donors, and volunteers we’ve been blessed to work with over the years. As we’ve said many times, we do nothing by ourselves.

The process Ms. Scott used to choose recipients of her philanthropy is thorough, respectful, and intentional. It’s a tremendous honor being selected among so many worthy causes, but it’s also a tremendous responsibility. Like our

generous benefactor, we feel called to improve the lives of as many people as possible, and we know this gift will help us do that in previously unrealized ways.

A gift of this size has caused us to do some serious reflection at the foundation. One of the initial areas of focus with this gift will be mental health. As our annual wellness report has identified, the mental health crisis is becoming increasingly urgent. This gift is a catalyst to inspire others and to be a light in a time of darkness.

Again, we want to express the utmost gratitude for our charity partners and business partners, as well as the thousands of generous donors and volunteers in our region. Their support will help us change the world for the better.

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

ME N TA L H E A LT H

2022 AT A GLANCE

DMF WELLNESS REPORT

This year, DMF produced its second annual Wellness Report, which is a yearly overview of the mental, physical, and social health of both children and adults across the region. The report is informed by a survey of providers, youth-serving organizations, and parents across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

195 INDIVIDUALS 121 SERVICE PROVIDERS

NEARLY 75% OF PROVIDERS BELIEVE

the number of youth experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts has increased in the past 12 months.

EXPERT PANEL

ABOUT 80% OF PROVIDERS

report an increase in youth substance use in the past 12 months.

In November, DMF and the Matto Foundation hosted a panel discussion to discuss the findings of the statewide Wellness Report survey and engage community members on both the challenges and solutions identified.

85% OF PROVIDERS

believe healthy electronic use among youth has decreased in the past 12 months.

WELLNESS REPORT TAKEAWAYS

The numbers above were consistent with the responses to a number of open-ended survey questions, where respondents were asked to summarize what they believe to be the root causes of the declining mental health status of adults and kids:

• Parenting • Family-structure issues • Device and social media use • Diet, exercise, and sleep

Panel Takeaways

• More community-wide parent education

• More events to meaningfully connect people

• Consider retention strategies for providers, not just recruitment

• Develop education on healthy technology use

• Educators are not trained to be mental health providers

• Re-activate churches and community groups

NEW TEAM MEMBER

Whitney Isaacson joined the team this year as an outreach coordinator. She is supporting the DMF Mental Health, Matto Foundation, and Lend A Hand Up missions by facilitating engagement and educational opportunities. By spreading awareness of these initiatives, she serves an important role in establishing partnerships that will move them forward.

• The economy and state of the world

• Lack of community

Panelists included (L to R): Dan Borsheim (Valley Christian Counseling Center), Kathy Hogan (ND Senate), Dr. Andrew McLean (UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences), Patti Senn (Soul Solutions Recovery Center), Judy Lee (ND Senate), and Pat Traynor (DMF)

learning co.

2022 AT A GLANCE

3 36

The High Impact Institute got a fresh look and name in 2022. Now known as Impact Learning Co., the brand was revamped to more accurately reflect its mission to equip nonprofits with the necessary resources to dramatically accelerate their missions. The “greater than” symbol serves as a reminder that they are greater than their challenges, and the only way to move is forward.

THE FUNDRAISING COHORT

This year Impact Learning Co. introduced a new digital cohort model intended to engage more learners beyond just those in our region, as well as generate additional revenue to be re-invested into curricula and resources.

LEARNER HIGHLIGHT

Perhaps one of the biggest success stories to come out of an Impact fundraising cohort was that of Richard McCartney. As a nonprofit veteran who has tried a variety of fundraising resources, he came into the course a

Scott Holdman (R) and Ashley Blazek (L) lead a live Fundraising Cohort session

A cohort is a highly intensive, interactive learning experience delivered virtually. It’s like an online class, where nonprofit leaders can learn alongside their peers. Each of the three cohorts delivered in 2022 ran for one month and featured two live sessions each week where learners tuned in to troubleshoot real-world fundraising challenges together and build a comprehensive fundraising system that could be put into practice immediately. Students were also required to complete weekly assignments and view the Impact Fundraising course, delivered in video format through the online learning platform.

The learning experiences were led by Impact Director of Coaching & Training Scott Holdman, who also provided coaching sessions post-cohort to help learners implement the new fundraising system into their daily work. Learners were also supported through the entire cohort by Community Manager Ashley Blazek. From beginning to end, she served as a resource for learners for everything from platform orientation to help with assignments.

Learners that complete the course and assignments receive a certificate in Impact Fundraising Fundamentals that is good for two years and that can be displayed on an organization’s website and individual’s LinkedIn profile.

The time spent on both the hour-long Zoom sessions and the homework was worth every second.

bit skeptical. By the end of the month-long experience, though, he was praising the course material, calling it the “mother sauce” of fundraising. He was even moved to hire a new team member to take on the internal fundraising responsibilities that he was having trouble balancing with his external role.

COHORTS DELIVERED ORGANIZATIONS CERTIFIED

2022 AT A GLANCE

$1.5 FOR

MILLION RAISED FAMILIES

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS YEARLY

Maple River Ladies Golf Event $18,000

Z to Z Bike Run (Detroit Lakes) $4,000 Stick it to Cancer $60,000

Just about everyone can name someone they know of that is experiencing some sort of struggle, and Lend A Hand Up continues to pave the way for them do something about it. With continuous improvements being made to the online platform, helping neighbors is becoming easier than ever before. Over the last year, an automated process was put into place to create a more efficient user experience. Additional advancements have allowed for increased fundraising capacity on the Lend A Hand Up website.

YEARLY CAMPAIGNS

The program started off the year strong with a record-breaking Giving Hearts Day, raising more than $170,000. Then mid-year, the inaugural Summer Boost campaign was held to support active fundraisers, helped by a $10,000 match. As an extra incentive, Starr Fireworks provided $10 firework gift cards to the first 100 Summer Boost donors.

Rounding out the year, the third annual Holiday Hand Up fundraiser was held to provide help and hope during the holiday season. This successful fundraiser always shows the immense generosity brought on by the season and reminds us of the importance of helping neighbors at times when they need it most.

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS

In addition to the support from the program’s regular campaigns, it’s inspiring to see community members stepping up to give back to the program in their own way.

For the first time, the Z to Z Bike Run gathered motorcycle enthusiasts to ride in support of struggling families. The ride made its way from Detroit Lakes to Perham to Pelican Rapids and back to its starting point. All funds raised went back to the program.

This holiday season, Lend A Hand Up to your neighbors.

Thanks to the Maple River Ladies Golf Club, the gift card program has expanded this year. Proceeds from the golf club’s Pink Ribbon Scramble are helping Lend A Hand Up to alleviate some of the financial burdens of gas and grocery by providing families with gift cards.

Cossette volunteer team

Z to Z Bike Run Stick it to Cancer fundraiser

Lend A Hand Up team for Giving Hearts Day

Jaxson Thomsen family and volunteers

Maple River Ladies Golf Club

$26,643,931

With a $4 million jump from last year’s giving total, Giving Hearts Day charities continue to achieve bigger and better results each year.

805 249

Volunteer Pledges Goods Pledges

With more causes to support than ever before, the number of ways to get involved has increased significantly, opening the door to volunteering opportunities and options to donate goods.

HIGHLIGHTS

41,117

The day continues to be a true communitywide effort, engaging businesses, service clubs, schools, and a whole new generation of donors giving their time, talent, and treasure.

630 41

Participating Businesses Participating Schools

Some #25KforGHD video submissions. The hashtag saw a total of 203,000 views.

SWEEPSTAKES

The Giving Hearts Day Sweepstakes made a reappearance this year with a selection of prizes donated by area businesses, including Gate City Bank, PRx Performance, Catalyst Medical Center, Suite Shots, Thunder Coffee, and Radisson Blu Fargo. New to the lineup were Golden Ticket prizes, financial boosts awarded to the charity the drawing winner chose to support. Golden Tickets were sponsored by the Alex Stern Family Foundation, American Crystal Sugar Company, Bell Bank, Enclave, Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop, and VISIONBank. These prizes ranged in value from $1,000 to $10,000.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Tapping into our talented art community, this Giving Hearts Day saw its first Artist of the Year. Painter Kate Baldock created a one-of-one GHD piece that was put up for auction by Pifer’s Auction & Realty. The proceeds were donated to the winner’s charity of choice. It was a new way of activating donors, encouraging the idea that generosity is for everyone and is about more than just money.

#25KFORGHD CHALLENGE

An exciting challenge was introduced this year in partnership with Bell Bank, activating participation from charities, families, and businesses alike. The challenge kicked off with a video created by the GHD team, where followers were encouraged to recreate the dance, use the hashtag #25kforGHD, and nominate their favorite charity. Participants were placed into a drawing, and the winning charity drawn, BIO Girls, was awarded $25,000.

DMF’s Riley Boese reveals a Golden Ticket winner on Heartcast with host Scott Holdman.

Artist of the Year Kate Baldock poses with her one-of-one GHD painting. The piece sold for $2,025 with 100% of the proceeds going to Churches United in Moorhead.

2022 AT A GLANCE

The North Dakota Dental Foundation continues to promote oral healthcare for all by promoting careers in dental care and beginning healthy oral habits from a young age.

BRIGHT FUTURES IN DENTISTRY

This program is a partnership with the ND Dental Association and the North Dakota State College of Science. Its purpose is to build a vibrant dental workforce by increasing the number of licensed dental assistants in North Dakota. It does so in three ways:

1. Reimbursing individuals and practices for DALE (Dental Advancement through Learning and Education) Foundation preparation materials and DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) exams for chairside-trained dental assistants to become either qualified or registered

2. Running online advertisements targeting high school students

3. Recruiting at high school career fairs

8 CHAIRSIDE-TRAINED DENTAL ASSISTANTS

awarded with reimbursement for education through the Dental Advancement through Learning and Education (DALE) Foundation

1 MILLION BRUSHES

11 CHAIRSIDE-TRAINED DENTAL ASSISTANTS

reimbursed for Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exams

More than 150 volunteers gathered this year at Patterson Dental in Fargo to help pack toothbrush kits. These kits were given to kids in need across North Dakota through the Great Plains Food Bank school backpack program.

BRUSH-IT!

16,000 TOOTHBRUSH KITS PACKED

VISION START

The Optometric Foundation of North Dakota’s Vision Start program is continuing to reach more kindergartners in need of eye exams, setting them up for successful learning. In 2022, 26 North Dakota kids received free eye exams thanks to Vision Start.

Going forward, the Foundation will be helping even more kids by expanding the Vision Start age range, providing communication materials to schools and providers, and by partnering with organizations to accelerate the program’s reach.

NDDF piloted this brushing-and-flossing program in first-grade classrooms at two Fargo schools. Parents were surveyed before and after the program on their children’s brushing habits. Before the program, 12.5% of parents said their children brush for at least two minutes. After the Brush-It! program, that number jumped to 37.5%. The North Dakota Dental Foundation plans to continue this pilot program in first-grade classes at five schools during the first quarter of 2023.

My daughter now checks after every brushing to make sure there are no ‘sugar bugs’ on her teeth!

– Parent of Eagles Elementary first-grader

DMF FUNDS

SOUL SOLUTIONS RECOVERY CENTER LIVE LIKE RACH

The Live Like Rach fund continues to spread significant awareness locally of young onset colorectal cancer in honor of Rachel Ellingson, who lost her battle to the disease at the age of 36. Through the month of March, which is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, the initiative leads an awareness campaign focused on educating young people about the signs of colon cancer and the importance of advocating for yourself if you suspect you are at risk.

This year’s campaign focused primarily on the role that genetics and family history play in colon cancer. While the reasons are still unclear as to why the number of colorectal cancer diagnoses continues to rise, nearly one-third of colorectal cancer patients have a family history of the disease. Being aware of family history is a place to start, and it provides a leg to stand on when advocating for yourself.

Soul Solutions Recovery Center reached an important milestone this year, celebrating one year of operation. This unique recovery model, which places emphasis on community involvement in tandem with recovery, aims to eliminate the revolving door of substance abuse treatment.

After five years of sobriety, the likelihood of a person returning to substance use falls below 15 percent. That’s why the recovery center commits to five years with patients, helping them find their own unique treatment path that will serve them long-term.

This year, the Live Like Rach team had the opportunity to interview Dr. Andrea Cercek, an internationally renowned cancer specialist with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, who treated Rachel. Interviewing a provider at a treatment center of this caliber marked a new level of awareness for Live Like Rach. The team plans to build off this momentum in continuing Rachel’s Remarkable Ride.

In addition to reaching one year of service, Soul Solutions also celebrated the opening of Hope & Coffee. Based on the idea that addiction affects everyone and is therefore a community-wide effort, this coffee shop is intended to be a convergent point for those in recovery and for the general public.

Renowned cancer specialist Dr. Andrea Cercek (L) speaks with Live Like Rach founder Pat Monson (R).

We believe strongly that giving people the best chance to be successful in recovery means including their family.

-Soul Solutions Clinical Director Patti Senn

IMPACT BOARDS

A nonprofit board plays an enormously important role in taking its organization to new heights, but they need to unlock that potential. We at the Impact Learning Co. have developed the Impact Boards curriculum to help boards do exactly that: dream boldly, take risks, and challenge one another’s thinking.

Imagine the GCO (Game-Changing Opportunity) That Is Your CEO

A CEO is looked to for leadership, but it’s important to recognize that their growth is equally important to the health of the organization. Real impact happens when supporting the CEO becomes a priority.

Multiply Your Impact by Aiming Higher Than you Ever Thought Possible

An organization may be doing well, but how often do they stop to examine if they are reaching their full potential? Goals should be bold and challenging, but we shouldn’t be afraid of falling short.

P

erfect the Plan That Propels Progress

Goals can’t be met without determining a clear path on how to reach them. There need to be steps laid out with regular progress check-ins to evaluate the process and discuss possible challenges.

Amplify Accountability with the Metrics That Matter

Having a foundational dashboard that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the organization’s operating status can help keep everyone – both board and staff – on the same page. What are the foundational metrics that your organization needs readily accessible to ensure organizational operations are running properly?

Communicate Effectively and Courageously

Organizations shooting for the moon will inevitably face difficulties along the way. All teams need to be able to bring up difficult topics, even if it means getting uncomfortable.

Take Care of the Organization by Delivering on the Details

Keeping track of the important details of an organization can be all-consuming. It’s crucial to have a system for checking on these items regularly, while ensuring they don’t become the sole focus.

IMPROVING SELF-ESTEEM IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

In 2013, BIO (Beautiful Inside and Out) Girls began with just 10 site locations and about 400 girls served. Since then, the organization’s mission has grown exponentially. In the past calendar year, the program served just under 2,500 participants at 75 sites in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

BIO Girls is a 12-week program for girls grades 2-6. The sessions are led by volunteer mentors teaching lessons centered around topics such as leadership, mental wellness, healthy relationships, and kindness.

Giving Hearts Day 2022

The overall success Giving Hearts Day is incredible to see, but focusing in on a charity like BIO Girls shows what a giving day can do to elevate a single nonprofit’s mission. From their first Giving Hearts Day in 2017 — where they raised about $12,000 — that total has steadily increased each year. Giving Hearts Day 2022 was a banner year for the team, as they broke the $100,000 mark for the first time.

One in Six

In 2022, BIO Girls served one in 13 North Dakota girls. By 2025, the charity aims to reach one in six, or 3,500, North Dakota girls. Based on their research, this is a statistically important number to reach to effect community-level change.

To do this, BIO Girls is working to expand the ways they are reaching adolescent girls and eliminating any barriers that may stand in the way of participation. Currently, the sites serve girls in grades 2-6, but the team is working on piloting their first teen program. They have also introduced new program activity options such as yoga and CrossFit as alternatives to the typical BIO Girls 5k run.

As Founder Missy Heilman explains, “I often talk about low self-esteem, and how if you don’t address it, the little things keep chipping away. Pretty soon it turns from something that you can’t see (an internal struggle) into something you can (eating disorders, substance abuse, etc.).”

When finances aren’t an issue, the door opens for even more young girls to be molded into strong, confident, beautiful (inside and out) girls.

This record-breaking year was the culmination of strong donor relationships they have nurtured and the powerful messaging they are using to become a recognized name in the community. Not only that, but the impact of the program speaks for itself. Over the past year, seven out of 10 participants reported that they experienced an increase in overall self-esteem.

BIO Girls was drawn as the winner of the $25,000 prize in the inaugural Giving Hearts Day Social Challenge.

Fargo business Light Pilates & Yoga chose BIO Girls to receive a $5,000 Giving Hearts Day boost as a business sign-up incentive.

AWARDS HELPING

HELPING HEARTS AWARDS 2022

Helping Hearts Awards are presented annually to select individuals and organizations that exemplify care, kindness, and compassion for their neighbors. Through their servant leadership, they act as a model for others to follow and emulate.

Phil Hansen

Philanthropist and NDSU Color Commentator

Dianna Hansen

Founder, Move Me Media & Message

Gerri Leach Executive Director, Jail Chaplains

Soul

Solutions Recovery Center

Brian Arett

Director, Valley Senior Services and Fargo Park District Foundation

Partners leading and supporting initiatives to improve health and quality of life in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota

family foundation Alex Stern