Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota receives $4M for long-planned expansion

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato has received $4 million through a donor-advised fund (DAF) at the Mankato Area Foundation from local philanthropist Heidi Boyum, a former MAF board member. The largest gift in CMSM history, the grant will support a long-planned expansion of the museum that will enhance indoor and outdoor learning environments designed to promote play-based education for its more than 100,000 annual visitors. The funding advances a multi-year capital campaign focused on creating safe, interactive spaces that foster curiosity, creativity, and childhood development. The award will accelerate efforts to expand community impact and strengthen the region’s cultural landscape.