Generosity. For Good.

The Mankato Area Foundation is a donor-driven community foundation whose purpose is to improve the livability in Greater Mankato through philanthropy. Our Community Foundation connects donors with causes they care about, provides funding to address key community objectives, and convenes individuals and organizations to find solutions for local challenges.

Why a Community Foundation?

Community Foundations make up one of the fastest growing sectors of philanthropy in the United States today. Community Foundations build and strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors to participate in creating permanent (and often named) funds to meet present and future needs. Community Foundations have become catalysts for improvement within urban centers and in rural settings through philanthropy that is visionary, diverse and inclusive.

Community Foundations are a sustainable aspect of philanthropy--providing leadership and problem solving in the present and preparing for the future with a permanent endowment.

There are over 800 community foundations in the United States.

10 Reasons Why Community Foundations Work

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Local Organization

We are a local organization with deep roots in the community.

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Broad Expertise

Our professional staff has broad expertise and understanding of community issues and needs.

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Personalized Service

We provide highly personalized service tailored to each individual’s charitable and financial interests.

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Donor Advised Funds

Our donor advised funds help people invest in the causes they care about most.

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Wide Variety of Assets

We accept a wide variety of assets to create highly effective approaches to charitable giving.

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Professional Advisors

We partner with professional advisors to create highly effective approaches to charitable giving.

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Tax Advantages

We offer maximum tax advantages.

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Multiply the impact

We multiply the impact of gift dollars by pooling them with other gifts and grants.

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Endowment Funds

We build endowment funds that benefit the community forever and help create personal legacies.

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Community Leader

We are a community leader, convening agencies and coordinating resources to create positive change.

How is a Community Foundation different from other public charities?

Most public charities provide direct and specific services to the community, such as feeding the hungry, providing shelter or developing healthcare education. They are what people tend to think of when they use the term “nonprofits”. When donors make gifts to these organizations, they are usually making a gift to help the organization perform a specific service.

A community foundation, while also a public charity, is a grantmaker and not a direct service provider. Rather than focus on servicing a particular community need, a community foundation serves donors and the broad needs of a community.

Work with our MAF team to find the right fit for you.

Learn how you can start to make an impact today.

 

For more information, please contact Nancy.