by Nancy Zallek, President and CEO, Mankato Area Foundation

Mankato Free Press (August, 2025) — As the 2025 Giving for Good Catalog has come to a close, I’m reflecting on the incredible generosity shown by our community.

This initiative was created to spotlight real-time, tangible funding needs from nonprofits across our region — and over the past month, more than 50 local projects were featured, each one representing a critical program, service, or operational priority identified by the organizations themselves.

These projects—addressing everything from food insecurity and housing to youth development and animal welfare, told a collective story of our region. Yes, there were many challenges identified, but there was also hope, integrity, creativity and compassion.

While the catalog may now be closed, the needs it highlighted are far from over. Nonprofits in our region continue to face growing demands, with limited resources and plenty of uncertainty.

The challenges they address—hunger, homelessness, youth literacy, and more—don’t pause when this, or any campaign ends. These organizations work year-round, often behind the scenes, to lift up our neighbors and strengthen our communities.

The Giving for Good Catalog was designed to raise dollars and awareness, and to connect donors with causes that matter. But more than that, it served as a reminder: we all have a role to play in building a stronger, more inclusive community.

If you gave through the catalog, thank you. Your support made a real difference. If you didn’t get a chance, it’s not too late. The nonprofits featured in the catalog—or in our year-round nonprofit directory—still need your help. Whether it’s a donation, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word, your continued engagement matters.

Let’s keep the spirit of the catalog going. Let’s keep giving for good.