Generosity. For Good.
The Mankato Area Foundation provides a medium for people to make a difference by offering annual, lifetime and planned giving opportunities. After 40 years, the Mankato Area Foundation continues to help individuals and organizations achieve their charitable goals by offering a variety of giving strategies and funds.
As donors, you have the opportunity to shape your donation by choosing from flexible funding vehicles such as designated, unrestricted or donor advised funds. The Mankato Area Foundation currently manages funds that can provide donors with the benefits similar to a private foundation without the burden of start-up/management and brings to life their passions and charitable dreams.
BENEFITS OF A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Making your charitable contributions through the Mankato Area Foundation offers many advantages.
Simplicity
As a community foundation, we can serve as your “one-stop shop” for all of your charitable giving needs. We provide an easy and effective way to support the projects and issues you care about through a gift to a single organization.
Tax Benefits
Any gifts given to the Mankato Area Foundation receive the maximum tax advantages for income, gift and estate tax purposes.
Flexibility
As a community foundation, we can receive many kinds of gifts, including unique assets such as gifts of grain, land and stock. At the Mankato Area Foundation, we can help you and your financial advisor develop a personalized gift plan to meet your financial needs and all of your charitable intentions, now and in the future.
PLANNED GIVING
Giving Looks Good on Us
You can easily establish a charitable fund (or add to an existing fund) at the Mankato Area Foundation that speaks to your philanthropic intentions. A bequest can be for a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or residue of the estate. MAF would be happy to provide you and your attorney with suggested language to include in your will or trust.
TELLING OUR STORY
A DONOR ADVISED FUND
Time-honored Connections
For the Richards family, the words “home” and “Mankato” are interchangeable. “My dad was a proud Welshman who had a strong sense of ‘home’ or ‘hiraeth’ in Welsh, and that was the Greater Mankato area,” said Marcia Richards, daughter to Cecil Jones. The family’s legacy starts with Cecil. Read More
TELLING OUR STORY
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Supporting the Scene and Unseen
It doesn’t take much effort to feel the expansive presence of the arts in Mankato.
Look up near the river, and you’ll see a 135-foot tall mural of children painted on silos by internationally-renowned artist Guido van Helten.
Walk along the streets downtown, and you’ll see awe-inspiring sculptures on every corner, teasing your senses and admittedly leaving you feeling a bit unsatisfied until you complete the entire CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour every year. 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
- 26 Nov
Mankato Area Foundation Grants $4.2 Million
Read moreMankato, MN (November 26, 2024) — The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) released Philanthropy Review 2024 this week, highlighting another record year of generosity and 50
- 21 Nov
Mankato Area Foundation awards $300,000 in Taylor Grants to address regional food insecurity
Read moreMankato, MN (November 21, 2024) — The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) has awarded two grants totaling $300,000 to help address regional food insecurity.
- 11 Nov
Mankato Area Foundation returns and Maureen brings Josie with The Fillin’ Station!
Read moreRadio Mankato (November 11, 2024) — Mankato Area Foundation returns and Maureen brings Josie with The Fillin’ Station! They will be taking part in the
- 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