Together, giving looks good on us.
Since 1974, the Mankato Area Foundation has been a driving force in building a stronger, more connected community through the power of giving. We bring together individuals, families, and organizations who share a commitment to making a lasting impact.
As a trusted and permanent resource, we help donors align their generosity with local needs, ensuring their contributions create meaningful change—today and for generations to come. By providing expert guidance and philanthropic leadership, we empower donors to turn their charitable visions into lasting legacies.

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.

GIVING IN ACTION
Philanthropy Review 2025
In this edition of the Philanthropy Review, you'll notice a lot of action words: strengthen, energize, transform, honor. Because when people like you choose to act with generosity and intention, incredible things happen. Behind every story and every gift is someone who chose to do something meaningful.
Telling Our Story

COMMUNITY IMPACT
Feeding the Need
A regional response to food insecurity.
How a coordinated effort is transforming excess into access across South Central Minnesota.
On the day Tom Polich agreed to meet to talk about food rescue efforts, he showed up with a spreadsheet of data and a car full of squash.
The squash, part of a 684-pound rescue underway that day, was headed to the St. Peter Food Shelf and the Mayo Clinic Health System produce refrigerators, where it would be available for patients showing signs of food insecurity. Read More
News & Press
-
03
Nov
Sorting through year-end charitable giving
Read moreFor many donors, year-end is a natural time to reflect on the causes and organizations they want to support. The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) can
-
02
Nov
MAF supports community building through Dia de los Muertos Festival
Read moreAs the presenting sponsor of Old Town's Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival, we're honored to support this important event, celebrating Latino
-
16
Oct
Regional food rescue efforts expand to New Ulm
Read moreThrough ongoing support for regional food rescue efforts, MAF is helping connect surplus food with people who need it most.
-
13
Oct
In the news: JZ Cancer Fund
Read moreThrough meaningful partnerships and ongoing initiatives, the JZ Cancer Fund works to raise awareness, provide comfort and resources, and inspire hope throughout the community.
-
27
Jul
Closer to home: Steps to move your donor advised fund to MAF
Read moreTransferring a donor advised fund from a national charitable sponsor or a commercial provider to the Mankato Area Foundation can be a natural next step







