Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Big Hearted Mavericks Foundation (BHM)

The Big Hearted Mavericks Foundation is a registered charitable foundation based in Calgary, Alberta. It serves as the charitable arm of the Big Hearted Mavericks Society, receiving 100% of the charitable proceeds raised through events, sponsorships and community support. The Foundation’s core role is to evaluate funding applications and distribute resources to children- and family-focused programs across the Calgary area.

Operating with among the lowest administrative costs of any foundation in Alberta, the organization emphasizes that every dollar raised for charity is directed to charitable purposes. Society operating expenses are covered separately by member fees and event revenues, which allows the Foundation to focus its resources on impact rather than overhead.

The Foundation concentrates on initiatives that improve the lives of Calgary-area children and families. Its supported charities span several themes, including health and mental health, education and literacy, social inclusion, disability supports, recreation, and crisis response. Examples highlighted on the site include addiction recovery for youth, services for children and teens with Down syndrome, inclusive camps for children with disabilities, food security and nutrition education, early intervention therapy programs, and supports for families facing childhood cancer or domestic violence.

Through these partnerships, the Foundation backs both program delivery and key infrastructure such as specialized play spaces, transportation, fee subsidies, and operational support for vital community services. It also publishes an annual Impact Report outlining funds raised and distributed, offering donors and partners a transparent view of its grantmaking.

According to the “How We Give” information, each organization is assessed through a structured application process managed by the Foundation. To be considered, applicants must generally be children-focused, Calgary-area non-profits that can demonstrate strong financial transparency and provide a clear outline of how funds will be used. The Foundation prefers organizations that are entrepreneurial or innovative and that do not receive significant government funding, ensuring its support fills meaningful gaps rather than duplicating public programs.

The Foundation also values long-term relationships and measurable outcomes. It seeks partners with strong governance and leadership, favoring programs that can show real, sustained impact over time. This philosophy leads to multi-year and repeat support rather than one-off contributions, giving charities the stability needed to plan and grow their services.

The Big Hearted Mavericks model is built around clear separation of fundraising and grantmaking functions. The Society organizes events and covers all of its own operating expenses, while the Foundation, established in 2011, is responsible for reviewing and approving all charity funding applications, issuing tax receipts, and distributing funds. This structure promotes donor confidence and allows for straightforward reporting on where money goes.

Impact reporting, stories about funded partners, and examples of specific donations—such as a $15,000 contribution to Rowan House Society—illustrate how funds are used and the outcomes achieved. Together, the Society and Foundation form a focused, community-based funding vehicle dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Calgary.