T. Denny Sanford, a philanthropist who donated billions toward healthcare and for whom the 58-hospital Sanford Health is named, died July 18 at the age of 90.
The Midwest native gave more than $4 billion either to the system, other hospitals, child welfare, research and education over the course of his lifetime, beginning with a $2 million gift to Children’s Home Society of South Dakota in 1999, according to his obituary and memorials published by Sanford Health.
The Sioux Fall, South Dakota-based health system itself received nearly $2 billion from its benefactor, starting in 2004 with a $16 million gift to support the construction of a stand-alone children’s hospital in the city.
It adopted his name in 2007 following a $400 million donation, which at the time was the largest such gift in healthcare history. Those funds supported the Sanford World Clinic of international primary care services and infrastructure; The Sanford Project, a type 1 diabetes research effort; and other general health research conducted at the organization.
His most recent contribution, of $300 million in 2025, is helping to establish a new medical center campus in Rapid City, South Dakota. Sanford today reports nearly $12 billion annual revenue, employs about 55,000 people and serves over 2 million patients, often describing itself as the country’s largest rural health system.
“Though Denny Sanford lived a life of success, his goal was to live a life of significance by helping others through philanthropy. He did. By investing billions of dollars in the causes and organizations he believed in, he left the world a better place,” Sanford Health wrote in a website dedicated to “The World’s Greatest Healthcare Philanthropist.”
Sanford’s early career was in sales, marketing and materials distribution. He founded and sold a sealant, coatings and adhesives manufacturer, called Contect, in the early 1980s. He used the proceeds to launch a venture capital company, Threshold Ventures, and to purchase a bank in 1986 that would become First Premier Bank, an issuer of subprime credit cards with high rates for consumers with poor credit.
Sanford made contributions to several other healthcare, research and education organizations outside of Sanford Health and his home of South Dakota. Among these are The Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, based in California; Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego; the Sanford Harmony and Inspire Programs at Arizona State University, focused on relationship-based education; and the Sanford College of Education at National University in San Diego.
“His legacy lives on in the scientists, clinicians, and innovators who continue the work he made possible, and in the countless lives that future discoveries may touch,” The Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine wrote in its memorial.
Sanford is survived by his brother, two sons and three grandchildren, who encourage others “to honor Denny by giving to the charity of your choice,” according to the obituary.