Sanford health honors

The world’s greatest healthCare philanthropist

DENNY
SANFORD

1935–2026

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His
Legacy.

Our
Health.

Extraordinary giving to care, comfort and cure.

THE GIFT

A Legacy Begins

In 2007, Denny Sanford gave Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System in Sioux Falls, South Dakota the largest known donation in U.S. healthcare history at that time. He trusted our health system, since known as Sanford Health, to help as many people as possible with his $400 million gift. But that was just the beginning.

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THE MISSION

A Legacy Grows

In the proceeding years, Denny’s gifts to Sanford Health totaled nearly $2 billion. His gifts to other health and wellness initiatives, research efforts, and child welfare and educational causes, put his philanthropic giving at over $4 billion in his lifetime.

GIVING TIMELINE

THE VISION

A Legacy for Good

Denny’s generosity over the last two decades of his life helped build children’s hospitals and clinics around the world, led to groundbreaking medical research and treatment innovations, and—most importantly—saved and improved the lives of millions of people.

DENNY'S STORY

THE IMPACT

A Legacy For All

Denny didn’t consider his donations to be gifts. He thought of them as investments. A commitment to today. And a promise for tomorrow. To achieve the greatest return for which one can hope. The well-being of others.

DENNY’S LEGACY

Sanford House

Built in 2018 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Sanford House honors the life, legacy and far-reaching impact of Denny Sanford. Click below to watch a guided tour.

A LEGACY BEGINS

See a Timeline of Denny's Gifts