Program areas at DMF
Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) and its supporting organization, Dakota Medical Charities (DMC), (the "Foundations") are recognized leaders dedicated to addressing societal health problems and improving the health and quality of life for people across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. The Foundations focus their grants and initiative programs in support of the following areas: Access to Healthcare, Chronic Disease Prevention, Organizational Effectiveness, and Innovation. ACCESS TO HEALTHCARELend A Hand Up Initiative: In 2007, Dakota Medical Foundation established the Lend A Hand Up Initiative to provide financial and fundraising assistance to a defined charitable class of families and individuals in Cass County, ND, Clay County, MN and Becker County, MN that experience financial hardships due to catastrophic medical issues. In 2022, the mission was expanded to include financial hardship due to a traumatic event or recent loss of life, in addition to critical health issues. In 2022, the Lend A Hand Up program helped raise $1.5 million for 40 qualified families. Lend A Hand Up participated in Giving Hearts Day 2022 and raised nearly $170,000 to support the boost funding distributed to each family served by the program. The Foundations have provided boost funding totaling more than $2.8 million since 2008.
ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESSIn 2022, the Foundations provided $200,000 in grants to Impact Foundation for training and coaching nonprofit leaders involved in Giving Hearts Day across the region. Impact Training and Coaching: The Impact Learning Co. works to help charities build a systematic approach to fundraising and Board-CEO leadership. The Impact Learning Co. also serves as a co-host and fundraising coach for charities in Giving Hearts Day, one of the first and longest running giving days in the United States. Since 2008, Giving Hearts Day has helped charities raise more than $138 million to improve health and quality of life in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.DMF Center for Excellence & Innovation: In March 2013, DMF opened a newly-constructed 18,800 square foot building as a gift to the community serving as a nonprofit community center to educate and train area nonprofits, as well as a gathering space for local nonprofits. In 2022, 241 nonprofits used the facility at little or no cost for nearly 500 training, education, and retreat events with more than 9,000 community members in attendance. Since March 2013, over 1,300 nonprofits have utilized the space for 2,700 events with more than 84,000 combined attendees.GivingHeartsDay.org: This technology platform allows charities to accept online contributions from donors, share their stories, and engage volunteers. The website received several upgrades including an option to display volunteer opportunities in a user-friendly manner and a substantial update on the charity administration portal to improve the functionality and overall user experience. Giving Hearts Day Initiative: Together, with Impact Foundation and the Alex Stern Family Foundation, Dakota Medical Foundation hosts an annual 24-hour giving day to boost charity awareness and volunteering and giving in our region. Since inception in 2008, Giving Hearts Day has generated contributions for charities across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota totaling more than $138 million. In fiscal year 2022, Foundation staff led and coordinated the complex undertaking of managing 538 charitable causes and 41,000 donors experiences on our region's most generous day. The Foundations have provided nearly $7 million in matching fund grants and incentive grants for participating organizations since inception.
The End Child Sexual Abuse Initiative was combined with the Kids Mental Health Initiative: DMF Child Sexual Abuse Prevention is a community movement engaging every citizen in learning the signs of child sexual abuse and grooming behaviors along with 10 steps to protect children. As part of the Mental Health Initiative, DMF distributed a survey to parents and providers across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota to help gauge the mental, physical, and social health of both children and adults in the region.
High Impact Institute: 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 in curricula and resources was launched in fiscal year 2022. The first cohort began on June 2, 2022.