Initiatives

Throughout our history, the Mankato Area Foundation has been working closely with donors, local leaders and hundreds of nonprofit organizations to facilitate projects and programs important to the community. The Foundation provides leadership by financially supporting local nonprofits through initiatives that make a difference in our community.

Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study

Now complete, the Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study (GMIS) report identifies critical themes in community perceptions and experiences surrounding equity, diversity, inclusivity and belonging in this area—including age, gender, ethnicity and abilities in Blue Earth and Nicollet counties. The study was publicly and privately funded and conducted by a national firm, IC Edge.

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Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund

The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund, a designated fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, was established in 2017 by Jonathan and Ginger Zierdt and a guiding coalition of engaged community leaders to build community cancer awareness and support.

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Women’s Giving Circle

The Women’s Giving Circle, a fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, offers an opportunity for women in our community to come together to participate in philanthropy. The Women's Giving Circle fund was established to amplify the power of collective giving by bringing together women through a local network in a purposeful way because when women and children thrive, our community will prosper.

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TELLING OUR STORY

DESIGNATED FUND

Connecting Community

Where can you see someone in a glitzy ball gown, sitting next to someone else in a bedazzled baseball cap, with daubers in their hands and tears misting in their eyes between rounds of bingo? It’s Blingo Bingo, and there’s nothing else like it.

On a warm August evening, over 600 guests filled the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato. Some were dressed in head-to-toe sparkles, while others preferred to make a subtle statement with a diamond here and a pearl there. What everyone had in common, though, was the mission to ensure cancer patients felt supported and loved throughout their cancer journey. Read More