Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation is an Anishinabek-led charitable foundation in Northwestern Ontario that supports the educational, recreational, cultural and community needs of Anishinabek children and youth. It offers multiple funds and bursary programs, including scholarships and education incentives. View Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation's website for more information.
Content last updated: March 2, 2026
About Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation
What is the mission of Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation?
Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of Anishinabek children and youth by supporting their educational, cultural, recreational and community needs. It aims to inspire them to dream big and ensure they have opportunities to realize their potential.
What type of organization is Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation?
Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation is a Foundation.
When was Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation founded?
Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation was founded in 2009.
What is Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation's official website?
Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation's official website is https://mazinaajim.com/.
What else should I know about Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation?
Role of Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation is an Anishinabek-led charitable organization created in 2009 to enrich the lives of Anishinabek children and youth in Northwestern Ontario. Working with more than 6,000 children and families from 13 First Nations in the Robinson-Superior Treaty area and parts of Treaty 9, the foundation addresses social and economic challenges by providing financial support where vital services and opportunities are otherwise unfunded.
Through several dedicated funds, Mazinaajim offers bursaries, scholarships, education incentives and support for cultural, recreational and community-based activities. Its bursary program provides monetary awards based on financial need to help youth pursue certificate programs, college and university studies, with application intakes four times per year.
Main funds and areas of support
- Rising Eagles Fund – Provides education incentives, scholarships and bursaries for students who demonstrate merit and financial need, helping those who must leave home for post-secondary or training programs to remain self‑sustaining.
- Dream Catcher Fund – Supports creative and developmental opportunities that inspire young imaginations and help children and youth realize their dreams.
- Community Spirit Fund – Finances community-initiated programs and projects such as powwows, festivals and summer camps, strengthening family connections and community cohesion.
- Four Directions General Fund – An unrestricted fund that enables rapid response to immediate needs of individual children, families or communities, improving everyday quality of life.
Beyond formal bursaries, the foundation supports cultural summer camps where Elders share traditional knowledge, education incentive programs like the Crown Ward Education Incentive Fund, sports and recreation access, youth empowerment workshops, and visits by Indigenous role models.
Supported audiences and impact
The primary beneficiaries are Anishinabek children and youth, including those in care, in remote First Nations communities and in urban settings. By funding education, culture, recreation and community activities, Mazinaajim aims to build confidence, cultural pride and long‑term wellbeing, ensuring that young people can pursue their educational and career aspirations and grow into healthy community members.
Governance and accountability
The foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors that includes community members and representatives connected to Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. A review committee assesses bursary applications, and annual reports are published to share activities and results, reinforcing transparency in how donated funds are allocated to programs and grants.