SHAPING OUR COMMUNITY. FOR GOOD.
Working Together. For Good.
In response to the COVID19’s impact on regional nonprofits, the Greater Mankato Area United Way and Mankato Area Foundation have come together to create a Community Response Fund to assist them in their joint efforts to address emerging needs in our region.
Mankato Area Foundation
Since 1974, the Mankato Area Foundation has been dedicated to building a community of individuals that 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 the individuals in our community now and for generations to come by providing the expertise donors need to help donors nurture their philanthropic dreams and shape their legacy.

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.
Making an Impact
Philanthropy needn’t be complicated nor does it require great wealth. Your clients can give in a way that’s convenient, financially comfortable and personally rewarding. When your clients have the desire to make a lasting impact through charitable giving, we’re here to make it easier.
Helping Your Clients
Three times a year, the Mankato Area Foundation makes grants in response to applications received from non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies. As part of the framework for our granting, Mankato Area Foundation funds projects and programs aimed at strengthening our region, improving lives, and fueling growth or change.
Learn More
The Mankato Area Foundation administers funds for current high school seniors planning for post-secondary education with a variety of scholarships.
Available ScholarshipsMAF IN Our COMMUNITY
The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund (JZCF), a donor advised fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, was established in 2017 to provide community cancer awareness and support and to help change the cancer journey. In January 2018, the JZCF launched their signature program—the JZ Caring Box and supplied nearly 1,000 care packages to area cancer patients in 2018. The JZ Caring Box is specially designed for cancer patients and contains items to provide support and comfort as well as access to information and resources for patients, their families and caregivers.
In anticipation of the need for nearly 1,200 Caring Boxes each year, the JZCF invites you to join the Box Love Campaign. By making a five-year pledge you can touch peoples’ lives and help sustain the distribution of these important care packages and the ongoing operations of our JZCF. For more about the Box Love Campaign, please view our video.
Meet Our Team
News & Press
-
14 Dec
Mankato Area Foundation Announces Women’s Giving Circle Recipients
Read moreMankato, MN (December 14, 2020)—The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) is excited to announce the recent recipients of the Women’s Giving Circle (WGC)’s grants. A total
Comments off -
10 Dec
Pioneer Bank provides $10,000 Gift to Mankato Area Foundation
Read moreMankato, MN (December 10, 2020) –The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) is pleased to announce Pioneer Bank has donated $10,000 to assist them as they continue
Comments off -
04 Dec
Mankato Nonprofits Receive Otto Bremer Trust Grants
Read moreMANKATO FREE PRESS, Mankato, MN (December 2, 2020) —Three Mankato nonprofits received a combined $151,500 in grants in the Otto Bremer Trust’s latest round of
Comments off -
15 Nov
Demand for Mental Health Training Skyrockets as Pandemic Worsens
Read moreMANKATO FREE PRESS, Mankato, MN (November 15, 2020) —On a sunny afternoon in October, a Mankato police officer carefully approached a man sitting on the
Comments off -
28 Sep
Dr. Chaun Cox named growMANkato Celebrity Ambassador, Hazy Hero IPA to Begin Brewing Sept. 30
Read moreMankato, MN (September 28, 2020) –The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund (JZCF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Chaun Cox of Mayo Clinic Health System has
Comments off