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
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
- 27 Oct
Our View: Community: Mankato philanthropy offers a message beyond the money
Read moreMankato Free Press (October 27, 2024)—A remarkable series of fortunate events is playing out in Mankato again. The city of Mankato, with the help of
- 09 Sep
Maureen Gustafson from Mankato Area Foundation comes in to talk about the 2024 Mankato Community Collage
Read moreKTOE (September 9, 2024) — 2024 Mankato Community Collage is coming to fruition this week. Maureen stops in with Photographer Josh Madson to let us
- 09 Sep
Mankato Area Foundation celebrates 50 years with Community Collage
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
- 07 Sep
Mankato Community Collage 2, the sequel; or MCC2, electric boogaloo
Read moreMankato Free Press (September 7, 2024)—About a year ago, Josh Madson — the black-capped, bespectacled, ebullient transplant from Fargo by way of Los Angeles—sat in
- 27 Aug
Hockey Day Minnesota 2022 Grow the Game Fund Grants $50,000 to Mankato Area Hockey Association (MAHA) and Pledges Additional $50,000 in Matching Funds
Read moreMankato, MN (August 27, 2024)—The Hockey Day Minnesota (HDM) 2022 Grow the Game Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation announced its largest grant since its
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.