Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota Receives Transformational $4 Million Commitment Toward Future Expansion

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota has received a transformational $4 million commitment in support of its upcoming expansion, marking the single largest gift in the Museum’s history and a major milestone in its mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play.

The generous gift, made by Heidi Boyum through a donor-advised fund at Mankato Area Foundation, reflects strong confidence in the Museum’s vision and the transformative impact it has on children and families across Southern Minnesota. Boyum has seen firsthand how powerful play can be in supporting children’s growth, learning, and well-being and truly believes that the Museum offers the community a space that inspires creativity, confidence, and connection.

“You know you have a great place to be when children can’t wait to go back,” said Heidi Boyum.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Museum,” said Kim Kleven, CEO. “Over the past five years, we’ve engaged in thoughtful strategic work to shape a clear vision for the future of the Museum, one where children in our region have safe, engaging spaces to explore, imagine, and grow. Heidi’s generous support provides further momentum for our strategic vision and our commitment to children. Together, we are creating indoor and outdoor environments where every child can build confidence, spark curiosity, and feel a true sense of belonging. We are deeply grateful for her partnership and her belief in the power of play to shape bright futures for children and families.”

“What stands out most about Heidi is not just her generosity, but her thoughtfulness. She has a unique ability to recognize where she can make a difference and act in ways that truly benefit the community. This gift to the Children’s Museum reflects her deep commitment to our young people and to creating opportunities for meaningful play—nurturing curiosity and lifelong learning across our community,” said Nancy Zallek, President and CEO, Mankato Area Foundation.

“With this gift, we have an opportunity to create the kind of safe, unstructured play experiences we remember from our own childhoods,” said Sarah Richards, Capital Campaign Chair. “More than anything, it serves as a launching point for what comes next, expanding how the Museum connects children and caregivers to learning through play.

While full details of the expansion be shared in the months ahead, this early commitment is a powerful step toward bringing the Museum’s bold vision to life, strengthening its role as a vital community asset and advancing its mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in an awe-inspiring environment.

About the Children’s Museum:

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is a nonprofit organization with a mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment. The Museum engages diverse audiences from across our region and enriches children and families with opportunities for hands-on play.

Since opening its doors in 2015, the Museum has welcomed nearly 1,000,000 visitors of all ages. A central draw to the Museum is its interactive exhibits and a wide variety of programs, which focus on play, exploration, and ongoing education; STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs; theater and cultural experiences, as well as many Ag education offerings. The Children’s Museum offers daily opportunities for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to explore and play with their children in its indoor and outdoor spaces.

More information at www.cmsouthernmn.org.