News

What a day! What a community! Generous donors gave a record-breaking $365,712 to the RiverView Foundation on Giving Hearts Day, Feb. 14^th!

More than 450 non-profit organizations from North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota participated in the 24-hour fundraiser for non-profits that brought in more than $16 million through about 68,000 donations. The Foundation ranked in the top 10 of those organizations for its fundraising total, earning the Foundation an incentive grant through the Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF). DMF, Impact Foundation and the Alex Stern Family Foundation host Giving Hearts Day

Significant Generosity, Growth

The largest giving day in the Foundation’s history was made possible through 433 donations, which equates to about $15,215 per hour! That is almost as much as the Foundation raised in the daylong event in 2008, the inaugural year of the program, when 38 donors contributed to the Foundation for a grand total of $17,000.

“Giving Hearts Day is about investing in our local hospital, to keep it strong and vibrant for today and tomorrow,’’ shared Foundation Director Kent Bruun. “I am genuinely grateful for the hundreds of donations given for the benefit of the growing number of patients that RiverView serves.

“There is a feeling of fulfillment and goodness that occurs when a person gives of themselves to help others. This is a testimonial of how much people care and that they appreciate the healthcare services provided by RiverView.’’

Building Project gets a Boost

Donors designating funds in memory or honor of loved ones touched many RiverView programs and projects during the fundraiser. Many donors requested their gifts go toward the upcoming building project. Undesignated funds will also go toward the Hospital and Clinic Replacement Project, titled “RiverView 2020: Our Vision is Clear’’.

The new, two-story facility will consist of 81,000 square feet. The top floor of the new build, with a view of the Red Lake River on the east and Castle Park on the west, will house a patient-centered, family-inclusive Inpatient Unit with 21 patient rooms and four family suites. The ground level will be home to all three of RiverView’s current Crookston clinics consolidated into one large clinic with one entrance and a registration area just steps from the front door. The new clinic will have 47 patient exam rooms, patient education rooms, and well-equipped spaces for in-clinic procedures.

The facility will also include other amenities, including a meditation chapel, lobby café, relocated gift shop, and an 80 occupant training and conference center.

The project is currently in the bidding stage. A groundbreaking will take place this spring, with a completion date in the fall of 2020. The total cost is estimated at $47 million, with the Foundation committed to raising at least $2 million.

The RiverView Foundation works with the constant goal of obtaining financial security for projects and programs that assure RiverView Health has the equipment and expertise to follow its mission of delivering a healthcare experience that consistently exceeds patients’ expectations.

If you are interested in learning more about the RiverView Foundation and the programs it sponsors, please contact Bruun at 218-281-9249 or kbruun@riverviewhealth.org.

Pictured above are just some of the 211 RiverView employees who donated on Giving Hearts Day for a total of $37,956.