Foundation

About the Foundation

The Astera Health Foundation is a private charity established in 1994 by the hospital to attract and administer charitable funds for the benefit of the communities and surrounding areas served by AH. Tax deductible gifts support education, technology, patient care, and equipment. Your financial donation has a direct and lasting impact on your family, friends, and neighbors. Discover the many forms of giving that can help support Astera’s programs and services.

Mission Statement

The Astera Health Foundation inspires charitable giving to improve the health of the communities we serve. It accomplishes this by:

• Encouraging estate plan commitments, fundraising efforts, and philanthropic support.
• Promoting education through voluntary grants and scholarships to institutions and individuals within the community served by Astera Health.
• Supporting such other activities within the philosophy and mission of Astera Health.

How does it work?

The Foundation Board operates under the direction of a Board of Directors. Board responsibilities include:

• Monitor management of fund assets through the Minnesota Foundation
• Seek contributions for the ongoing work of the Foundation
• Serve the community by working with donors
• Distribute available funds through projects and programs in keeping with the mission

Who benefits?

The mission statement supports funding activities which promote health, healthcare, and education through grants and scholarships to individuals as well as institutions. The Foundation Board of Directors sees the entire service area benefiting either directly or indirectly through a strengthened health care delivery.

How does the Astera Health Foundation benefit donors?

• Community Commitment. It provides a vehicle where the donor can make a permanent gift to the community.
• Security. The Astera Health Foundation operates with the support of the Minnesota Foundation. All funds received by the hospital foundation are invested and managed by the Minnesota Foundation.
• Everlasting. Funds invested ensure that the proceeds continue to benefit the community beyond the donor’s lifetime.
• Tax Benefits. Donations are deductible to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue code. (The fund is a private 501(c)(3) charity).

Events

Foundation Golf Classic

The Astera Health Foundation Golf Classic is one of the premier golf scrambles in northern Minnesota. The Golf Classic draws more than 140 golfers each year to support the mission of the Foundation. The event, held at Whitetail Run Golf Course in Wadena, is an 18-hole scramble with delicious food, fun activities, and great prizes! The Golf Classic is held the Friday after Memorial Day.

Bite Size Conversations

The Community Relations Committee of the Foundation is excited to host “Bite Size Conversation” events featuring healthcare industry experts. Topics range from healthcare services to bill payments to community health initiatives. Check out our Events page to register for our upcoming topics!

Pink Flannel and Fizz

The Foundation hosts Pink Flannel and Fizz, an annual evening of education and empowerment for breast cancer awareness. Guest speakers and local cancer survivors will share their stories, and there’s entertainment and refreshments for guests. This event is held each year on the first Friday in October.

Register for the 2026 Pink Flannel and Fizz

Denim and Dueling Pianos with Sweet Keys

Our Denim and Dueling Pianos with Sweet Keys is this year’s social event fundraiser held annually on the second Saturday in September. This event replaces past fundraisers like the Gala, SmokeOut Cancer, and Brunch at Tiffany’s, with all proceeds benefiting the new Cancer Center. Save the date for Sept. 12, 2026. 

Register and View Sponsorship

Building On A Legacy

Since Astera Health opened its doors in 1925, the community has been the driving force behind its growth. As the needs of the community have grown, we’ve grown. It’s thanks to this wholehearted support that we’ve been able to thrive and mature over the past 90-plus years by adding new specialties and cutting-edge technology to help our patients.

This legacy of support begins with the building of the Wesley Hospital. A widow from Hewitt sent this note to the hospital’s founding fathers in 1922:

“I have been much interested in the good work you are doing in trying to build a hospital and have been waiting to get a little money to send you to help in the work. I always like to have a part in anything good, but my means are small and there are so many calls and there is so little I can contribute. However, I thought I would show my interest, anyway. Wishing you much blessing and success in your undertaking. I am yours in the work of God.”

The note included a one-dollar donation. This is the first known contribution to our health care system.

Astera Health created the Foundation in 1994 as a private charity to inspire charitable giving to improve the health of the communities we serve.

Thanks to generous gifts over the past 25 years, the Astera Foundation has given back to local communities, students, and patients. Each year, the Foundation typically awards more than $35,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations and $23,000 in scholarships to help students become leaders in the healthcare field.

Tax-deductible gifts support education, technology, patient care, and equipment. Your financial donation has a direct and lasting impact on your family, friends, and neighbors.

If you’re interested in supporting the Foundation, please contact Kim Beiswenger at 218-631-7499 or kim.beiswenger@asterahealth.org.

Grant Support

Background & Information

We thank you for considering Astera Health as a source of support for your important initiatives. The mission of the Astera Health Foundation is to gather charitable gifts on behalf of Astera Health for the benefit of the communities and surrounding areas serviced by AH. By awarding grants, the Astera Health Foundation proudly provides funding for innovative projects and initiatives that might otherwise go unfunded in our service area.

At Astera Health, we support funding activities that promote healthcare and education through grants to organizations in the service area of AH. The Astera Health Foundation has designed these grant guidelines to assist communities within Astera’s service area in the advancement of health care.

We believe it’s our responsibility to help partnerships in areas where our expertise and leadership will have the greatest impact. We objectively evaluate each grant request we receive. To start your proposal for funding, please review the information below, and complete and submit grant application form (make hot link). All completed submissions that meet our review criteria and are submitted with sufficient notice will be reviewed and considered for funding.

Grant requests will be generated through meetings of Astera Health’s Foundation Board, Governing Board, Satellite Clinic Advisory Boards, Executive Committee, and Department Managers, or through a direct mail solicitation to community organizations.

The Astera Grants Program is supported through the Foundation’s Golf Classic.

Application Deadline

October 15 of the current year.

The Foundation will accept applications year-round and grant awards at the fourth quarter meeting of the Foundation Board.

Astera Health Foundation Grant Request Application

Walter Goedel Grant

The Walter Goedel Foundation was established in 2013 after the passing of Walter H. Goedel. Walter was very generous with his time and resources. He believed in giving back to the community, and a top priority was the youth. The Walter Goedel Foundation will accept applications semi-annually, to make grant awards at the second and fourth quarterly meetings of the Foundation Board.

Walter Goedel Grant Application

Moen Brothers Grant

The Moen Brothers Endowment/Disabled Children’s Endowment was established in 2012 to assist area youth with disabilities throughout the year. The grant is for equipment or educational programs that specifically benefit youth with physical or cognitive impairments and live within the Astera Health service area. The Foundation will accept applications for the Moen Brothers Endowment on an ongoing basis throughout the calendar year. Applications may be reviewed at quarterly Foundation meetings, with the last grant of the year by November 30.

Moen Brothers Grant Application

Scholarships

Awarding scholarships to today’s inspiring young leaders is a great investment in the future. Astera Health Foundation scholarships were established to encourage and promote qualified individuals from AH’s service area to pursue a healthcare career.

The Scholarship Program is our commitment to improve the healthcare system by increasing the number of professionals who are working hard to attain their higher education goals, and eventually will start careers in the health industry. These bright students will increase the number of qualified healthcare professionals entering the workforce. AH Foundation provides multiple scholarships for students pursuing health care careers each year. The scholarships available include:

High School Scholarship

To assist high school seniors pursuing a healthcare career. Due April 1 each year.

Frances E. Raatikka Scholarship

To assist a third or fourth year nursing student in an accredited Bachelor of Science Nursing program. Due June 30.
Fill Out the Frances E. Raatikka Scholarship Application Online

Davis Family Nursing Scholarship

To assist nursing students in an accredited program. Due June 30.

Fill out the Davis Family Nursing Scholarship Application Online

Marquardt & Prindle Scholarship

Fill out the Marquart & Prindle Scholarship Application Online