giving for good bismarck

In partnership with supporters across the Bismarck region, we are fueling leading-edge technology, enhancing care and accelerating new breakthroughs. Along with patient programs and facilities like our NICU, our BeHEARD program and the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck.

 

Last year, we put $2.2 million in philanthropic gifts to work across the Bismarck region. Read more in the 2025 annual report.

 

Local Priorities

Philanthropy is an integral part of the care provided at Sanford Health. The Sanford Health Foundation in the Bismarck region plays a crucial role in supporting specific programming for patients and staff, upgrading essential equipment, and funding special projects tailored to meet the needs of our communities.

Cancer

This year, hundreds of local patients count on the Sanford Cancer Center in Bismarck. Through philanthropy, we provide travel assistance for qualifying patients who drive significant distances for care, offer complimentary wigs and head coverings, upgrade equipment to offer access to lifesaving MRIs and 3D mammograms, and so much more.

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Children

The Sanford Children’s Hospital Bismarck supports local infants, kids and teens everyday through child life services to help kids cope with the fear and uncertainties of hospitalization, financial assistance to help families with costs not covered by insurance, lifesaving pediatric equipment like ventilators and monitors, and so much more.

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Dr. Todd Schaffer

Leadership Connection

A monthly Bismarck region update from Todd Schaffer, MD, president & CEO of Sanford Bismarck.

July, 2026

 

Every day, kids from across central and western North Dakota turn to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Bismarck for extra or unexpected care. Kids like 5-year-old Claire Boucher, a brave little girl from Washburn, who has faced more in her young life than most people will in a lifetime. Claire’s journey hasn’t been easy, but thanks to expert care from Sanford Children’s and services made possible by friends like you, she and her family have been surrounded by care and compassion every step of the way.

 

As a nonprofit pediatric health system, philanthropic support plays a vital role in the work we do at Sanford Children’s by supporting everything from lifesaving equipment to programs like child life and so much more. You’ll learn more about Claire in the coming weeks, and you’ll have an opportunity to make a difference for kids just like her during the inaugural Airwaves for Kids, an on-air fundraising event in partnership with Townsquare Media. Until then, thank you for supporting our work to give local kids the hopeful, healthy futures they deserve.

 

Todd Schaffer, MD

Bismarck’s Signature Events

Below are a few of the signature events we host in the Bismarck region. To see more events in Bismarck, visit our calendar.

Get Involved through Fundraising

At Sanford Health, our doctors, researchers and caregivers are working to bring health, hope and healing to more than 1.2 million people across the Upper Midwest. With you on our team, we can accelerate our race to uncover new breakthroughs, develop new treatments and create meaningful programs that support patients and their families.

 

Launch your fundraiser in the Bismarck region and inspire others to give for good today!

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Bismarck Team

Sara Haugen, CFRE

Vice President – Bismarck

Chivon Kapphahn

Philanthropy Officer – Bismarck

Elizabeth Mendez

Development Officer – Bismarck

Jenna Moran

Senior Development Specialist – Bismarck

Kortney Moore

Senior Development Specialist – Bismarck

Deb Koski, CFRE

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Bismarck Board Members

Chair

Kevin Magstadt

Adolfson & Peterson Construction – Director Business Development II

Vice Chair

Nick Hillman

Sanford Health – Manager Quality & Safety

Secretary / Treasurer

Chris Rivinius

Stifel – Financial Advisor

Taylor Daniel

Daniel Companies – Commercial Realtor

Todd Schaffer, MD

Sanford Health – President & CEO

Doug Zinke

Starion Bank – Market Manager, SVP

Andy Buntrock

Basin Electric Power Cooperative – VP of Strategic Planning & Communications

Tracy Kindem

H.A. Thompson & Sons – Managing Partner

Kathy Koppinger

Sanford Health – Senior Director, Clinic

Anthony Foti

MDU Resources Group, Inc. – Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

Gretchen Stenehjem

First International Bank and Trust – Marketing Officer