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 is a trusted resource that connects donors with causes they care about, provides funding to enhance our region, and serves as a collaborative community partner.
Our Vision
We work as a knowledgeable and innovative community foundation that promotes philanthropy and drives transformative action to strengthen our region and improve lives.
![](https://mankatoareafoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MAF-Mural-My-Place-1.jpg)
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
MANKATO AREA FOUNDATION
Philanthropy Review 2023
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
-
08 Jul
Maureen Gustafson from Mankato Area Foundation comes in to talk about “Blingo Bingo”
Read moreKTOE (July 8, 2024) — This event is taking place to honor people with cancer and cancer survivors; all proceeds will go to the Jonathan
-
24 Jun
Essential nonprofits can be trusted
Read moreMankato Free Press (June 24, 2024)—As the CEO of the Mankato Area Foundation, part of my responsibility is to speak up, share, and support the
-
15 May
Shared Spaces at Emy Frentz targets arts nonprofits
Read moreMankato Free Press (May 15, 2024)—The new Shared Spaces Emy Frentz builds not only on the success of the original Shared Spaces building a few
-
13 May
Rita Rassbach with Mankato Area Foundation along with partners – have completed the Inclusivity study. Today we talk about the process and some results.
Read moreKTOE (May 13, 2024) — Rita Rassbach with Mankato Area Foundation along with partners - have completed the Inclusivity study. Today we talk about the
-
09 Apr
Shared Spaces at Emy Frentz hosting photography exhibit; Community Collage portrait session
Read moreMankato, MN (April 9, 2024) — The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) is welcoming the community to get a sneak peek of the newly renovated Shared
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.