Deb Koski, CFRE
Chief Philanthropy Officer
giving for good sioux falls
In partnership with supporters across the Sioux Falls region, we are pioneering life-saving medical research and enhancing care for patients at every age and every stage of life. We do this through philanthropy-funded services like Child Life, nurse navigators for cancer patients, new 3D mammography technology and survivorship programs. We also are helping kids experience the healing power of play and therapeutic benefits of the outdoors through the Billion Pavilion, a new outdoor play area for pediatric patients and their families.
Last year, we put $8.1 million in philanthropic gifts to work across the Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls 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.
Children
Philanthropy supports the Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partner, through services like Child Life, Child’s Voice, specialized summer camps for kids living with a chronic health condition, spiritual care, school tutoring and so much more.
Leadership Connection
A region update from Andy Munce, president & CEO of Sanford Sioux Falls.
May, 2026
We often say that kindness inspires kindness — and there’s nowhere that’s more evident than at the Edith Sanford Breast Center right here in Sioux Falls. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the transformational gift from philanthropist Denny Sanford to launch the Edith Sanford Breast Initiative, dedicated to unlocking each woman’s genetic code to advance prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The gift also allowed for the construction of the Edith Sanford Breast Center in Sioux Falls, integrating the initiative’s research into patient care.
Denny’s gift honors his mother, Edith, who he lost to breast cancer when he was just 4 years old. His great hope is to end this devastating disease so that other children won’t have to grow up like he did, without the love of a mother. In the years since Denny’s gift, thousands of donors have stepped forward to give in support of local breast health, allowing Edith Sanford to expand access to comprehensive care, advance prevention and treatment and fuel breakthroughs in research — making a difference for thousands of women like Erin. Thank you, as always, for your support and friendship. Together, let’s continue to celebrate the power of kindness.
Andy Munce
Sioux Falls’ Signature Events
Below are a few of the signature events we host in the Sioux Falls region. To see more events in Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls region and inspire others to give for good today!
Sioux Falls Team
Erin Sanderson, CFRE
Vice President – Sioux Falls
Carrie Biondi
Senior Director of Marketing & Operations
Bethany Olson, CFRE
Senior Development Officer – Sioux Falls
Stacy Hackett
Lead Philanthropy Officer – Sioux Falls
Ashton Siebrecht
Lead Development Specialist – Sioux Falls
Meg Hannemann
Philanthropy Officer – Sioux Falls
Kayla Gullickson
Development Officer – Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Board Members
Chair
Suzanne Veenis
Retired, Community Volunteer
Vice Chair
Karlie Solum
Marsh McLennan Agency – Director of Community Relations
Secretary / Treasurer
Cassie Hajek, MD
Helix Medical Genomics – Medical Director
Jason Ahrendt
State Farm Insurance Agency – Owner
Jennifer Schriever, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Linda Elliott
A-OX Welding Supply – Former Owner
John Paulson
Retired, Health Care Administrator
Erica Schipper, MD
Sanford Health – Chief Medical Officer
Andrea Thompson
Dakota State University Applied Research Corporation – CEO
Chelsea DeBoer
TV Personality/ Entrepreneur
Steven Powell, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Jon Kirby
Bluestem – Vice President of Investor Relations
Dan Kirby
Kirby Financial, LLC – Owner
Tyler Haahr
Retired, Meta Financial Group – Chairman of the Board and former Chief Executive Officer
Kerry Boekelheide
KWB Hotel Partners, LLC – President
Julie Anderson
Retired, Community Volunteer
Kathy Walsh
Retired, Community Volunteer