Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc logo

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Mankato, MN EIN: 41-6008819 Website

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc is a public charity based in Mankato, Minnesota. It supports programs addressing basic needs, health, and education in Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet, and Waseca counties.

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc at a glance

In short: Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc gave $2.1M across 44 grants in 2025 (avg $47K), mostly in Minnesota. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$2,075,240
+1.9% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
44
+15.8% vs 2024
Average grant
$47,165
-12.0% vs 2024
Median grant
$20,952
Total assets
$4,671,866
+2.6% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
13% first-time grantees (5 of 39, 2025)
Primary geography
Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc

How to Apply

The website describes an annual application process: applications are sent to current partner agencies and agencies that have requested to apply; new agencies must request an application. Applications are submitted online, with a March due date, followed by applicant site visits, volunteer recommendations, and board review.

Review Cycle
March, according to the website’s annual application timeline.
Deadline
March, according to the website’s annual application timeline.
Contact

Mailing address: 127 S 2Nd St Suite 190, Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (507) 345-4551
Website: https://mankatounitedway.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Young Mens Citizens Christian Assn: $239KYoung Mens Citizens ChristianAssn$239KMankato Community Education and Rec: $209KMankato Community Educationand Rec$209KVine Faith in Action: $175KVine Faith in Action$175KYoung Women Citizens Christain Assn: $145KYoung Women Citizens ChristainAssn$145KPartners for Affordable Housing: $129KPartners for AffordableHousing$129KMinnesota Council of Churches: $89KMinnesota Council of Churches$89KBoy Scouts Twin Valley Council: $85KBoy Scouts Twin Valley Council$85KOpen Door Health Center: $74KOpen Door Health Center$74KServeminnesota: $70KServeminnesota$70KLeisure Education for Exceptional: $69KLeisure Education forExceptional$69K

The largest 2025 recipient was Young Mens Citizens Christian Assn ($239K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.

Organizations only. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($159,744), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

177 grants across all recorded years

112<$50K42$50–100K22$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 112 grants of 177 (63%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The organization serves Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet, and Waseca counties. Its reported 2025 grant dollars went entirely to Minnesota recipients.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.

Cities

MankatoSaint PeterWasecaLake CrystalNorth MankatoMontgomeryLake CyrstalNicevilleSaint CloudAustinRushfordWatervilleOwatonnaSaint Paul

Is Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc open to new grantees?

13%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 5 of 39 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $58K. How we count

Medians: $22K first-time, $34K repeat.

  • 87% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 32% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M35 grants2019 27 grants2020 29 grants2021 31 grants2022 35 grants2023 38 grants2024 44 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2020) to $2.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 44 grants totaling $2.1M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Young Mens Citizens Christian Assn Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$239,093
Mankato Community Education and Rec Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$209,491
Vine Faith in Action Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$174,749
Young Women Citizens Christain Assn Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$144,654
Partners for Affordable Housing Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$128,824
6 grants to individuals Recipients not named —$159,744
Minnesota Council of Churches Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$89,098
Boy Scouts Twin Valley Council Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$84,572
Open Door Health Center Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$73,754
Serveminnesota Mankato, MNFinancial Assistance$69,821
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

The organization’s 2025 filing also reports that approximately 5,000 individuals donated through workplace campaigns or other personal giving, approximately 150 companies pledged corporate gifts, and more than 1,700 volunteers contributed over 16,000 hours of service.

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$4,671,866$4,008,647$3,880,310$2,075,24044$108,554
2024$4,551,395$4,095,600$3,982,905$2,037,10438$102,513
2023$4,399,755$4,114,212$3,591,345$1,767,62135$75,702
2022$3,791,406$3,582,369$3,051,164$1,575,32931$21,523
2021$3,210,164$3,514,806$3,068,689$1,547,19129$9,148
2020$2,730,384$2,918,728$2,949,875$1,435,35727$5,874
2019$2,791,359$2,875,097$2,621,109$1,514,48835$3,569

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s mission is “to unite the community to secure and invest resources to improve people’s lives.” Its focus areas are basic needs, health, and education. Its 2025 filing describes work in education that included kindergarten readiness and youth development; health programs supporting older adults, people with disabilities, and healthy living; and basic-needs programs addressing food, clothing, shelter, emergency services, and self-sufficiency.

The funder supports nonprofit programs through an annual review process. Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of services: VINE Faith in Action says it promotes the well-being of aging adults; Partners for Affordable Housing says it provides shelter and housing options for homeless and at-risk people; and Open Door Health Center says it advances access to affordable, culturally appropriate medical, dental, and behavioral health care.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the organization reported 44 grants totaling $2,075,240. Grant amounts ranged from $5,409 to $239,093, with a median of $20,952. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota. The largest awards included $239,093 to Young Men’s Citizens Christian Association, $209,491 to Mankato Community Education and Recreation, $174,749 to VINE Faith in Action, $144,654 to Young Women’s Citizens Christian Association, and $128,824 to Partners for Affordable Housing. The filing lists each of these grants’ purpose as “financial assistance.”

The website says applications are for specific programs, and that program administrative costs may be acceptable expenses. Applicants must provide evidence of need and effectiveness, including outcome measures and demographic information about people served, as well as agency and program budgets. An agency visit is required. Applicants must be tax-exempt and their programs must fall within basic needs, education, or health. New agencies must contact the organization to request an application; applications and supporting documents are accepted online only. Funding availability depends on the success of the annual fundraising campaign.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Barbara Kaus as CEO, Matthew Atwood as vice chair, and Laura Murray as COO. It also lists Chris Austin, Wendy Keenan, Maria Brown, Jessica Blais, Dr. John Benson, Andy Hennis, and Silas Danielson among its officers and directors.

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc is led by Barbara Kaus, CEO on every filing since 2022; 2 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Barbara Kaus

    CEO

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $119K (2022) → $149K (2025)

  • Chris Austin

    Chair of the

    Finance Chair → Vice Chair, 2022

    Vice Chair → Chair of the, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    3.6 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Laura Murray

    COO

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $82K (2024) → $89K (2025)

  • Eric Boelter

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paul Peterson

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jessica Blais

    Community Im

    Past Campaign Chair → Director, 2022

    Director → Community Im, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    2.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Laura Elvebak

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tonya Hobbie

    Campain Chai

    Director → Campain Chai, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Eric Hudspith

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matthew Atwood

    Vice Chair

    Campaign Cha → Director, 2023

    Director → Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    3.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Bradley

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    0.8 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Erik Hagedorn

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Silas Danielson

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wendy Keenan

    Finance Chai

    On filings since 2022

    1.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andy Hennis

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kayla Olsen

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sarah Kerich

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    0.9 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Angela Casteel

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Heidi Boyum

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Benson

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Maria Brown

    Member

    Campaign Cha → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1.7 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Ihrig

    Member

    Director → Member, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Austin Swain

    Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Krause

    Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Garrett Steinberg

    Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • George Taylor

    Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rick Miller

    Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (40)
  • Former: Alissa Brekke (2019–2024) — Director
  • Former: Justin Neumann (2019–2024) — Director
  • Former: Steve Weisbecker (2019–2024) — Director
  • Former: Annette Parker (2022–2024) — Director
  • Former: Keith Bauer (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Shane Van Engen (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Steve Jameson (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Tyson Twait (2019–2023) — Chair of the
  • Former: Victoria Hanson (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Christine Konradi (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Brad Boettcher (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Ryan Walker (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Brett Hart (2021–2022) — Director
  • Former: Matt Ketelsen (2022) — Director
  • Former: Barb Kaus (2019–2021) — CEO
  • Former: Brandon Scheel (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Janice Berndt (2019–2021) — Director of Finance
  • Former: Matt Norland (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Mike Kunkel (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Tami Paulsen (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Terry Brandt (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Kay Wallerich (2020–2021) — Community Impact Chair
  • Former: Kevin Valasquez (2020–2021) — Chair
  • Former: Todd Stromswold (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Alissa BrekkeCommunity (2021) — Impact Chair
  • Former: Jessica Beyer (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Joe Paulsen (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Mike Bresnahan (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Shannon Messer (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Bobby Fleischman (2020) — Director
  • Former: Bruce McKirdy (2020) — Director
  • Former: Andy Nessler (2019) — Director
  • Former: Erin Aanenson (2019) — Director
  • Former: Jay Parker (2019) — Director
  • Former: Jolene Wall (2019) — Director
  • Former: Kay WallerichVice Chair (2019) — Of Community Impact
  • Former: Kevin ValasquezVice Chair (2019) — Of Board & Vice Chair Communications
  • Former: Marilyn Wells (2019) — Director
  • Former: Sheri Allen (2019) — Director
  • Former: Todd Snell (2019) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Barbara Kaus — CEO: $149KBarbara KausCEO$149KLaura Murray — COO: $89KLaura MurrayCOO$89K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $149K, to Barbara Kaus (CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc

How much does Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc give each year?

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc gave $2.1M across 44 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.0M across 38 grants.

What is Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's typical grant size?

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,952, and its average grant was $47,165, across 44 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc that year got $19K on average.

Where does Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc give grants?

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Mankato, MN (25 grants), Waseca, MN (3 grants), Saint Peter, MN (3 grants) and Montgomery, MN (2 grants).

Does Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Financial Assistance" (44 grants).

Who are Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's largest grantees?

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Young Mens Citizens Christian Assn ($239,093), Mankato Community Education and Rec ($209,491) and Vine Faith in Action ($174,749), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($159,744), which are not listed by name. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc?

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.

What does Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc fund?

The organization’s mission is “to unite the community to secure and invest resources to improve people’s lives.” Its focus areas are basic needs, health, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc?

The website describes an annual application process: applications are sent to current partner agencies and agencies that have requested to apply; new agencies must request an application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's EIN?

Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6008819. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(8)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 26, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 13, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 16, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 22, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 15, 2025)
  7. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 26, 2026)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

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Health

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Mayo Clinic Group Return

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/greater-mankato-area-united-way-inc-morg_a23e33eade8443caaa403d9006d0763f

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_416008819_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/greater-mankato-area-united-way-inc-morg_a23e33eade8443caaa403d9006d0763f},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Greater Mankato Area United Way Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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