MANKATO, MN (June 4, 2013)—Mankato Area Foundation presented a check for $500,000 today to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota. This is the largest single gift donated from the Foundation to a local nonprofit organization. The contribution was granted through the Dotson Family Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation that is managed by the Foundation as a donor advised fund.

The gift will ensure that the exhibit space designated as the “Back 40” will be a part of the longterm vision of the museum. The “Back 40” will represent space for unstructured play with the look and feel of an overgrown field filled with tree stumps, knolls to climb and openness to spark imaginations.

In addition to the financial support from the Dotson Family Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, Denny and Carol Dotson are providing a wonderful feature item to the museum by loaning them a 1914 Little Giant tractor. The tractor was built in Mankato and represents the importance of the agricultural industry to this area and is a unique example of early manufacturing in the community.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have individuals who care so deeply about the Mankato Area,” stated Bryan Sowers, Mankato Area Foundation Board President. “The Dotson Family has a long history of philanthropy in this community and we are thrilled that Denny and Carol have chosen the Mankato Foundation to help facilitate their generosity.”

The Mankato Area Foundation is your community foundation, connecting philanthropic interests with community needs since 1974 and enriches the quality of life in Greater Mankato through its various grant making programs. Over the past 39 years, the Mankato Area Foundation has distributed more than $2,400,000 in grants and scholarships to local organizations and students. To learn more about the Mankato Area Foundation and how the organization makes an impact in our community visit www.mankatoareafoundation.com or visit us on Facebook

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