Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
Miami and Area Foundation is a community foundation serving the Rural Municipality of Thompson and the town of Miami, Manitoba. It manages permanent endowment funds and distributes annual grants to qualified donees and community groups for local enhancement, development projects, and community priorities. View Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)'s website for more information.
Content last updated: March 2, 2026
List of grants and funding offered by Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)
1 opportunities available
Grant and FundingOpen
Annual Grants Program
Motorola Foundation, Headingley Community Foundation (HCF), Kittyhawk Foundation, Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)
Funding for community and education programs supporting first responders and STEM education.
About Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)
What is the mission of Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)?
Miami and Area Foundation’s mission is to support local organizations, help the community grow, and provide a way for residents and donors to leave a lasting legacy through endowed funds and community grants.
What type of organization is Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)?
Miami and Area Foundation (MAF) is a Foundation.
When was Miami and Area Foundation (MAF) founded?
Miami and Area Foundation (MAF) was founded in 2009-10-16.
What is Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)'s official website?
Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)'s official website is https://miamiareafoundation.ca/.
What else should I know about Miami and Area Foundation (MAF)?
Role of Miami and Area Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Miami and Area Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and community foundation based in the Rural Municipality of Thompson and the town of Miami, Manitoba. Created in 2008 and incorporated on October 16, 2009, it operates as a permanent collection of endowment funds, affiliated with The Winnipeg Foundation. The capital is invested and the annual earnings are used to provide grants to local charities and qualified donees that address community priorities and enhance quality of life in the region.
Since 2011, the foundation has awarded grants each year to a wide range of community organizations, including museums, libraries, recreation facilities, agricultural societies, arts and sports groups, emergency services, and other local nonprofits. It also administered Emergency Community Support Fund allocations during COVID‑19, channeling federal funding to organizations serving vulnerable populations.
General funding approach and priorities
The foundation runs an annual granting program for community enhancement and development projects. Calls for applications are published on its website, with clear deadlines and an awards event where successful recipients are announced. Grants are made to qualified donees as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency; non‑registered nonprofits can receive support when they partner with a qualified donee that acts as the formal applicant.
Projects must primarily benefit residents of the RM of Thompson and the town of Miami. The Grant Management Policy notes that grants are awarded for specific purposes and time‑limited projects, and that recipients must report on the use of funds within one year. Capital projects must show that the organization can operate and maintain the asset on an ongoing basis.
General evaluation criteria for applications
- Demonstrated community need and realistic project planning within the organization’s capacity.
- Strength and commitment of the applicant’s board, fiscal responsibility, and effective management.
- Evidence of current support from the broader community and potential for leveraging other funding.
- Alignment with donor interests, number of people who will benefit, and long‑term impact on the community.
- Geographic distribution of supported projects within Miami and the surrounding area.
Preference is given to projects that benefit the wider community, promote efficient use of community resources, introduce innovative approaches to local issues, encourage collaboration between organizations, mobilize volunteers, and strengthen organizational sustainability.
Exclusions and governance
Grants are not made to individuals, political activities, endowment building, annual fund drives, direct religious activities, mortgage or deficit reduction, specific medical or scientific research, scholarships or bursaries, or projects completed before the grant decision. To avoid conflicts of interest, any board member who also serves on the board of an applicant organization must abstain from voting on that application, though they may participate in discussions.
The foundation is governed by a volunteer board representing the RM of Thompson and collaborates with other Manitoba community foundations through the Endow Manitoba regional staffing project. This structure helps ensure local knowledge, responsible stewardship of endowment funds, and a consistent, transparent granting process for community organizations seeking financial support.