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. 

2000

House of Hope, $3,000
 
Minnesota Valley Chorale, $1,000
 
Guthrie on Tour, $5,000
 
YMCA Capital Campaign, $5,000
 
Mankato Symphony Concert in the Quarry, $5,571

2001

Volunteer Center, $1,000

2002

Mankato Ballet, $5,000
 
Family Resource Center, $5,685
 
Martin Luther King Jr. Event, $2,000
 
Jane Rush Gathering Place, $5,000

2003

Youth in Government, $400
 
Junior Achievement, $7,084
 
Mankato Area Arts Council, $3,640

The Fourth Decade 2004-2013
The Fourth Decade 2004-2013

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.

2004

Rapidan Dam Park, $3,000
 
River Valley Reads, $2,500
 
Thin Film Fund Scholarships, $15,000
 
Minnesota State University, Mankato Music Series, $4,110

2005

Musicorum, $2,500

2006

Thin Film Fund Scholarships, $46,700
 
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, $5,000
 
Central Freedom School, $5,000

2007

Sibley Park (Fallenstein Designated Fund) $162,000

2008

Camp Patterson Cabin Upgrade, $5,000

2009

One Bright Star Journals, $2,500

2010

CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, $5,000
 
READY! for Kindergarten, $4,500

2011

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
(Cheryl and Yanni Lee Fund), $2,000

2012

Kiwanis Holiday Lights
(Fallenstein Designated Fund), $50,000
 
LEEP Transportation, $10,000

2013

Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
(Dotson Family Fund), $500,000

 
BackPack Food Program, $5,000

The Fifth Decade 2014-2023
The Fifth Decade 2014-2023

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!

2014

Shared Spaces, $300,000

2016

Sibley Park Giving Barn, $42,261
 
The Mni Mural (floodwall mural), $6,000

2017

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

2018

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

2019

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

2020

Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $72,750
 
Celebrate Me Camp, $103,750

2021

Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $107,647
 
Celebrate Me Camp, $37,800
 
Marian Anderson Sculpture, $27,000

2022

Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $128,250
 
Celebrate Me Camp, $59,125
 
Mankato Area Foundation helps conduct the Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study.

2023

Boys/Girls Club (now My Place), $345,750
 
Mankato Area Foundation receives accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.