Together giving looks good on us.
Since 1974, the Mankato Area Foundation has been dedicated to building a community of individuals who believe in the strength of giving. We continue today to shape Greater Mankato through connecting acts of giving with our community’s needs. As a permanent, trusted resource, donors look to the Mankato Area Foundation to help them make their charitable giving more effective. The Mankato Area Foundation is impacting individuals in our communities now and for generations to come by providing the expertise to help donors nurture their philanthropic dreams and shape their legacy.
Our Mission
The Mankato Area Foundation serves as a trusted catalyst for change, committed to fostering philanthropy, strengthening our region, and enhancing lives.
Our Vision
We envision a region where collaboration, generosity, and inclusivity flourish, creating opportunities for all to thrive.

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
Generosity. For Good.
A Donor Advised Fund is an effective tool for charitable giving that provides benefits similar to a private or family foundation without the hassles. Donor Advised Funds minimize the worries and administrative burdens of grantmaking, so you can put your time and energy into what really matters: making a meaningful impact on the community, organizations and causes you value.
Telling Our Story
NONPROFIT SERVICES
Connecting the Dots
Behind all of the incredible work that nonprofit organizations do to support the Greater Mankato community, are the people who make it all happen. The decision-making, planning, fundraising and distribution of services for any group is no small set of tasks. These organizations face the same realities as for-profit businesses: expenses, staffing, generating revenue and providing a product or service to an end user. Read More
50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY IMPACT
Philanthropy Review 2024
This 2023 edition of our Philanthropy Review provides a glimpse into the connections we’re fortunate to make daily. You’ll read about the creative connections made between The REACH and 410 Project to provide hope and healing to at-risk youth. Also inside is a story of community connections and support experienced at an unlikely place—Blingo Bingo. Finally, you’ll read stories of family connections that honor loved ones by creating a philanthropic legacy that gives back to this community for generations. See Philanthropy Review 2023
News & Press
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04 Apr
Recharge Mankato: EV Ride & Drive event set for April 12
Read moreMankato, MN (April 4, 2025) – The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF), in partnership with Recharge America, invites the community to Snell Motors on Saturday, April
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12 Mar
Consolidated Communications Community Fund of MAF awards $195,000
Read moreMankato, MN (March 12, 2025)—The Consolidated Communications Community Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation is awarding $195,000 in grants to 32 local non-profit organizations across the Greater
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11 Mar
Nonprofits: Strong leaders and community support
Read moreMankato Free Press (March 11, 2025)—Charitable giving nationwide has been down in the last few years, but nonprofits in this region say support remains strong.
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04 Mar
MAF grants $50,000 for Makerspace expansion
Read moreMankato, MN (March 4, 2025)—The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Mankato Makerspace to support its capital campaign, which aims
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03 Mar
Compassionate Community Center finds a home at Shared Spaces at Emy Frentz
Read moreMankato Free Press (March 2, 2025)—With the help of the Mankato Area Foundation, Mary Ann Boe has a home for her Compassionate Community Center from
Higher Standards
The Mankato Area Foundation has recently been accredited with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®—the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.
National Standards says that we meet the most rigorous standards in philanthropy and is a promise to our community that we’ll continue to do this good work together, right here in Greater Mankato.
National Standards is not mandatory. We chose to go above and beyond by affirming our commitment to excellence and accountability. Our accreditation provides assurance that we have sound policies and practices in place. In short, it means we meet the highest standards for local giving.
To receive accreditation with National Standards, the Mankato Area Foundation submitted our policies and procedures to a rigorous review of 26 National Standards in six key areas of community foundation operations, including donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration.
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program was established in 2000 in cooperation with the Council on Foundations. For more information about National Standards, visit www.cfstandards.org.