CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
The Mankato Area Foundation is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2024! Over the past five decades, we’ve witnessed the spirit of giving in this community and have had the privilege to help individuals with their philanthropic goals. To mark this milestone, we are sharing 50 years of significant events, contributions and donors who have made an impact with their generosity and commitment to doing good. We look forward to what the future will bring.
Mankato Ballet, $5,000
Family Resource Center, $5,685
Martin Luther King Jr. Event, $2,000
Jane Rush Gathering Place, $5,000
As MAF transitioned into the fourth decade, MAF was again the recipient of donor generosity, in the form of a sizeable bequest to support various key community initiatives. This bequest has made a lasting impact, enriching the quality of life in our community for decades to come. The Foundation continues to be a flexible and responsive philanthropic vehicle to support bequests; however, some donors prefer to actively participate in their philanthropy. In this same decade, more donors chose to partner with the Foundation through the creation of donor-advised funds that support operations and projects at numerous nonprofits as well as major cornerstone projects. This fourth decade has exemplified the ability of the Foundation to connect philanthropic interests with community needs and our goal to enhance the livability of this area.
Sibley Park (Fallenstein Designated Fund) $162,000
MAF funds Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota feasibility plan.
Funds were raised to hire the first Executive Director.
One Bright Star Journals, $2,500
CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, $5,000
READY! for Kindergarten, $4,500
Kiwanis Holiday Lights
(Fallenstein Designated Fund), $50,000
LEEP Transportation, $10,000
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
(Dotson Family Fund), $500,000
BackPack Food Program, $5,000
The fifth decade promises to be transformational as the Foundation continues its accelerated growth. With increased visibility and continued donor support, Mankato Area Foundation has doubled its asset size and has been a key partner in a variety of community projects. As we continue to focus on facilitating philanthropy, we are anxious to see what this decade will bring …it’s an exciting time at the Mankato Area Foundation!
Shared Spaces, $300,000
Sibley Park Giving Barn, $42,261
The Mni Mural (floodwall mural), $6,000
Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $65,000*
Sibley Park Giving Barn, $42,261
The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund, a designed fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, was established by Jonathan and Ginger Zierdt and a guiding coalition of engaged community leaders to build community cancer awareness and support.The JZ Fund helps cancer patients in our region with education, support services and provides JZ Caring Boxes. Learn More
Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $65,000
Celebrate Me Camp, $10,000
Fallenstein Playground, $66,000
Shared Spaces, $300,000
Mankato Area Foundation partners with Olseth Family Foundation and Minnesota State University, Mankato to start Recharge Mankato. Recharge works to establish Greater Mankato as a leader in efforts aimed at ushering a new era for community mobility centered on the promise of advanced technology electric vehicles, of all types. Learn More
Celebrate Me Camp, $2,000
Mankato Area Foundation launches the Women’s Giving Circle. As a fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, the Women’s Giving Circle amplifies the power of collective giving by bringing together women through a local network in a purposeful way because when women and children thrive, our community will prosper. Learn More
Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $72,750
Celebrate Me Camp, $103,750
COVID-19 Community Response Fund Established
Consultant in Residency Program for Nonprofits Begins
Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $107,647
Celebrate Me Camp, $37,800
Marian Anderson Sculpture, $27,000
Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $128,250
Celebrate Me Camp, $59,125
Mankato Area Foundation helps conduct the Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study.
In 2022, Hockey Day Minnesota (HDM) happens for the first time in Southern Minnesota at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Grow the Game Fund is established through the support of HDM sponsors to support the mission of growing the game of youth hockey in the Greater Mankato Area.
Good Governance Program for Nonprofits Begins