The Greater Mankato Diversity Council (GMDC) has been in existence since November 2004, the efforts of a 23-member planning team that announced the Council’s formation in June 2004. A Board of Directors governs the organization and represents governmental units, businesses and organizations. Any individual or organization can be part of the general membership and contribute to its mission. Organizational collaboration and support for establishing the GMDC involved government, education, business and community-based organizations, including Blue Earth County, Nicollet County, the North Mankato and Mankato City Council, Mankato Area Public Schools, Mankato Area Catholic Schools, Minnesota State University, South Central Technical College, Greater Mankato Chamber of Commerce (now called Greater Mankato Growth), the Mankato Area Foundation, the Greater Mankato Area United Way and its agencies, and more than 25 corporate sponsors. GMDC partnered with these organizations to remove participation barriers and tap into the benefits of diversity.