A transformational gift to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, made through a donor advised fund at Mankato Area Foundation, is helping bring expanded opportunities for play, learning, and connection to families across the region.

Mankato Free Press (May 2026) — The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota has received its largest gift to date, a $4 million donation toward its upcoming expansion.

The donation was made by Heidi Boyum through a donor-advised fund at Mankato Area Foundation. Museum leaders say the gift reflects a “strong confidence in the museum’s vision and the transformative impact it has on children and families across southern Minnesota,” according to a release.

Boyum was quoted in the release as saying, “You know you have a great place to be when children can’t wait to go back.”

She has seen first-hand how powerful play can be in supporting children’s growth, learning and well-being and truly believes that the museum offers the community a space that inspires creativity, confidence and connection, the release stated.

Kim Kleven, the museum’s chief executive officer, said it’s an incredibly exciting time for the museum. The expansion has been in the works for the last five years and, in that time, staff has “engaged in thoughtful strategic work to shape a clear vision for the future of the museum, one where children have safe, engaging spaces to explore, imagine and grow.

“Heidi’s generous support provides further momentum for our strategic vision and our commitment to children,” she was quoted as saying. “Together, we are creating indoor and outdoor environments where every child can build confidence, spark curiosity and feel a true sense of belonging. We are deeply grateful for her partnership and her belief in the power of play to shape bright futures for children and families.”

What stands out about Boyum is not just her generosity but her thoughtfulness, Nancy Zallek, president and chief executive officer of Mankato Area Foundation, stated in the release.

“She has a unique ability to recognize where she can make a difference and act in ways that truly benefit the community,” Zallek stated. “This gift to the Children’s Museum reflects her deep commitment to our young people and to creating opportunities for meaningful play – nurturing curiosity and lifelong learning across our community.”

Sarah Richards, capital campaign chair, said Boyum’s gift is a nod to the future.

“With this gift, we have an opportunity to create the kind of safe, unstructured play experiences we remember from our own childhoods,” Richards stated in the release. “More than anything, it serves as a launching pad for what comes next, expanding how the museum connects children and caregivers through play.”

Full expansion details will be shared in coming months, according to the release, but this early commitment serves as a step toward bringing the museum’s bold vision to life. The $4 million donation also strengthens the museum’s role as a vital community asset and advances its mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in an awe-inspiring environment.

The museum is wildly popular, drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually, Kleven said. They come from within the region but also from all over the state, country and world.

Kleven said Boyum is a St. Peter philanthropist who wowed everyone with her gift.