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.

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.

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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

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.