Mankato, MN (December 26, 2023) — The Greater Mankato Area United Way (GMAUW) received a $20,000 grant from the Consolidated Communications Community Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) to support funding for the Youth Mental Health Navigator program.

This gift fulfills the funding needs for the 2024-2025 year. The program is a result of the United Way convening community organizations searching for a way to reduce barriers for youth accessing mental health services. Youth Mental Health Navigators work within the schools to dramatically decrease the amount of time spent waiting for assistance by taking the lead in coordinating services.

While the funding is complete for the next school year, GMAUW is actively raising dollars to support the program for the next three years.

“We’re grateful for this gift and all funders who helped achieve our Youth Mental Health Navigator program’s funding goal for the 24-25 academic year,” said Barb Kaus, CEO of GMAUW.  “This program is making a difference for so many children in the Greater Mankato Area, and many more children are in need of these important services. With that in mind, we are determined to continue our fundraising efforts to ensure that this program continues to 2026.”

The Consolidated Communications Community Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation has given more than $6.5 million dollars to non-profit organizations since it was founded in 1963. The Consolidated Communications Community Fund focuses its outreach to communities in southern Minnesota and is administered through the Mankato Area Foundation.

About the Mankato Area Foundation

The Mankato Area Foundation is a donor-driven community foundation whose purpose is to improve the livability in Greater Mankato through philanthropy. Our community foundation connects donors with causes they care about, provides funding to address key community objectives and convenes individuals and organizations to find solutions for local challenges.

To learn more about the Mankato Area Foundation and how the organization makes an impact on this region visit www.mankatoareafoundation.com or visit us on Facebook.