MANKTO, MN (October 13, 2014)—Mankato-based Enventis Foundation announced plans today to become part of the Mankato Area Foundation (MAF). The Enventis Foundation will transfer nearly $4 million in foundation assets to MAF to form the donor-advised Enventis Community Fund, which will continue to provide support to nonprofit organizations in the greater Mankato area well into the future.
The Enventis Foundation has been administered by Enventis Corporation, which previously announced it has entered an agreement to merge with Consolidated Communications.
“It was important to our foundation board that we continue to play a vital role in the greater Mankato area, where we have been based and have had a long-standing philanthropic role for 117 years,” said John Finke, president and chief executive officer of Enventis Corporation. “We chose to align with the Mankato Area Foundation because of its leadership and knowledge of community needs and its excellent reputation in managing philanthropic funds.”
“We are grateful to the Enventis Foundation for having the confidence in the Mankato Area Foundation to fulfill their legacy for current and future generations,” said Nancy Zallek, executive director of Mankato Area Foundation. “We share a strong commitment to strengthening the non-profit sector in the greater Mankato area. I look forward to working with Enventis as their funds continue to make a positive impact in our community.” The Enventis Community Fund is currently accepting grant requests for the 2015 fiscal year. The grant request deadline is December 1.
The Enventis Community Fund will focus on programs supporting vital, basic needs in the community and education with an emphasis on K-12 and innovative learning through technology. Non-profits within the company’s southern Minnesota service area are eligible to apply. Complete grant guidelines will be published on its website on November 1.
Enventis also established a donor-advised fund focused on children and youth. The fund was matched by a grant program from the Otto Bremer Foundation and MAF. Through this special fund, Enventis makes possible initiatives designed to help young people build active, interactive, creative, intellectually challenging and interpersonally rewarding lives. “This is a perfect example of the power of partnership when local philanthropies come together to advance the greater good,” said Zallek.
About the Enventis Foundation
Founded in 1963, the Enventis Foundation has given more than $5 million dollars to non-profit organizations benefiting communities in the company's service area. In 2014, the Enventis Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling more than $131,000. Learn more at www.enventis.com/community
About the Mankato Area Foundation
The Mankato Area Foundation is a well-established community foundation devoted to connecting philanthropic interests with community needs since 1974. Through general and donor-advised funds, it enriches the quality of life in Greater Mankato through its various grant-making programs. Over the past 40 years, the Mankato Area Foundation has committed nearly $4 million in grants and scholarships to local organizations and students. www.mankatoareafoundation.com