Mankato Area Foundation
The Mankato Area Foundation is a donor-driven community foundation based in Mankato, Minnesota. Founded in 1974, it serves as a trusted philanthropic resource connecting donors with causes in the Greater Mankato area and surrounding regions. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$34.4M
+14.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.4M
Grant Count
74
Avg Grant Size
$46K
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Mankato Area Foundation is a trusted resource that connects donors with causes they care about, provides funding to enhance the region, and serves as a collaborative community partner. The foundation's purpose is to improve the livability in Greater Mankato through philanthropy.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
The foundation awards grants through multiple mechanisms including its Community Fund, designated funds, and donor-advised funds. It also operates a Consultant in Residency Fund that provides nonprofit organizations with access to expert consulting services to strengthen their operations.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on the Greater Mankato area (Blue Earth and Nicollet counties).
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $34,424,338
- Total Giving: $4,060,331
- Total Revenues: $7,145,681
- Total Expenses: $5,277,240
Organization Details:
- EIN: 41-0011094
- IRS Ruling Year: 1975
- NTEE Code: T31 (Community Foundations)
- Employees: 7–9 staff members
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,424,338 | $30,025,948 | $27,051,711 |
| Revenue | $7,145,681 | — | $6,256,215 |
| Expenses | $5,277,240 | — | $3,308,376 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $943,536 | — | $1,139,636 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Mankato Area Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Creative Foundation ($355,941), Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota ($214,667), Greater Mankato Area United Way ($198,926).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross Mankato, MN | Program assistance | $15,500 |
| Arts Center of Saint Peter Saint Peter, MN | Program assistance | $12,150 |
| BENCHS Mankato, MN | Program assistance | $5,500 |
| Bethel Lutheran Church Willmar, MN | Program assistance | $125,000 |
| Blue Earth County Historical Society Mankato, MN | Program assistance | $9,750 |
| Brownton Housing Corporation ankato, MN | Program assistance | $18,000 |
| Buena Vista Regional Healthcare Foundation Storm Lake, IA | Program assistance | $100,000 |
| CADA Inc Mankato, MN | Program assistance | $27,350 |
| Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota Mankato, MN | Program assistance | $214,667 |
| Christ the King Lutheran Church Mankato, MN | Program assistance | $160,800 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Nancy T Zallek – President & CEO
- Ashley Eimer – Vice President of Philanthropy
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leah Davis | Chair | 2 | — |
| Christina Bohlke | Vice-Chair | 1 | — |
| Seth Ferkenstad | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Brittany King-Asamoa | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Melissa Bradley | Director | 1 | — |
| Jennifer Pfeffer | Director | 1 | — |
| Sarah Richards | Director | 1 | — |
| Erin Kragh | Director | 1 | — |
| Bob Beadell | Director | 1 | — |
| Tim Huebsch | Director | 1 | — |
| Michael Robinson | Director | 1 | — |
| Marcia Bahr | Director | 1 | — |
| Art Westphal | Director | 1 | — |
| Michelle Schooff | Director | 1 | — |
| Amanda Heilman | Director | 1 | — |
| Stephanie Stoffell | Director | 1 | — |
| Belen Fernandez | Director | 1 | — |
| Todd Prafke | Director | 1 | — |
| Heidi Boyum | Director | 1 | — |
| Nancy Zallek | President & CEO | 40 | $113,080 |
| Ashley Eimer | VP of Philanthropy | 40 | $97,432 |
| Samantha Spicer | Finance Director | 40 | $74,218 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in awarding grants across multiple initiatives:
Mankato Area Foundation Awards $4.2 million in Grants for 2025 - Radio MankatoMankato event grants were awarded for 2026
Mankato event grants awarded for 2026 | Local News | mankatofreepress.comThe foundation announced $4.2 million in grants for 2025
Mankato Area Foundation Awards $4.2 million in Grants for 2025 - Radio MankatoThe Consolidated Communications Community Fund, administered through the foundation, awarded $195,000 in grants
Mankato event grants awarded for 2026 | Local News | mankatofreepress.comThe Mankato Clinic Foundation announced grant recipients through the foundation's mechanisms
Mankato event grants awarded for 2026 | Local News | mankatofreepress.comAdditional investment through the Thrive Foundation for Family Flourishing (TFFF) expanded long-term impact across the region
Additional TFFF investment expands long\u2011term impact across the region\Contact Information
Address: 212 E Walnut St, Suite 1, Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (507) 389-4583
Website: mankatoareafoundation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mankato Area Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Mankato Area Foundation is a trusted resource that connects donors with causes they care about, provides funding to enhance the region, and serves as a collaborative community partner. The foundation's purpose is to improve the livability in Greater Mankato through philanthropy. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services The foundation awards grants through multiple mechanisms including its Community Fund, designated funds, a…
How do I apply for a grant from Mankato Area Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,200 to $455,000. **Recent Activity:** The foundation awarded approximately $4.2 million in grants for 2025 and $4,060,331 in total giving based on recent IRS filings. **Program Areas:** The foundation supports nonprofits working to meet critical community needs through strategic partnerships and resources. Notable initiatives include the Greater Mankato Inclusivity Study (GMIS), one of the largest community-led, mixed-method inclusivity studies in…
Where does Mankato Area Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on the Greater Mankato area (Blue Earth and Nicollet counties).
What size grants does Mankato Area Foundation award?
In 2024, Mankato Area Foundation awarded 74 grants totaling $3.4M — an average of about $46K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Mankato Area Foundation's EIN?
Mankato Area Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0011094. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mankato Area Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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