Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Reston and Area Foundation (RAF)

The Reston and Area Foundation is a charitable community foundation serving Reston, the Rural Municipality of Pipestone and the area of the former RM of Albert in Manitoba. It manages permanently endowed funds contributed by residents, businesses and community partners, and invests the income back into the region through a structured Community Grants Program and a Scholarship/Bursary Program for students.

Since 2006, the Foundation has invested nearly $400,000 in local priorities. Its Community Grants Program provides project-based funding to schools, recreation centres, sports and fitness initiatives, public buildings, cultural and community facilities, and health care-related projects. Grants typically support equipment purchases, construction or renovations, repairs, and specific program costs that offer clear benefits to people living in the RM of Pipestone and the former RM of Albert.

The Foundation also administers a Scholarship/Bursary Fund, established in 2007, that offers multiple awards to graduating students of Reston School and other eligible area residents pursuing post-secondary education. These include the Reston & Area Foundation Scholarship as well as awards endowed by partner organizations and families, each with distinct criteria but a shared goal of helping young people advance their education.

Grant application guidelines emphasize that recipient organizations must demonstrate a strong and committed board, sound financial management and effective leadership. Projects must address a demonstrated community need, have a defined timeframe (usually one year or less), and show realistic plans for sustainability after the grant period, especially for pilot or demonstration initiatives. Matching or challenge grants may be used to encourage support from additional funders, and preference is given to projects that make efficient use of community resources, promote collaboration, strengthen organizational capacity and engage volunteers and citizens.

Funding is geographically focused within the area served by the Foundation, with an expectation of clear local impact and benefits. The Foundation generally avoids multi-year commitments and rarely funds individuals directly. It does not support ongoing operating costs, annual fundraising drives, deficit reduction or debt retirement, projects already completed, direct religious activities, sectarian or partisan political work, or contributions to other endowment funds.

The Scholarship/Bursary Fund supports students entering a wide range of post-secondary programs, with some awards targeted to specific fields such as health care, agriculture, rural studies or religious studies, and others tied to community partners like local Legions or the health auxiliary. Selection criteria commonly balance academic performance with factors such as effort, community and school involvement, extracurricular activities, and alignment with the donor’s intent. Awards may be used for in-person or virtual study, can sometimes be deferred for one year, and are paid upon proof of registration and attendance.

The Foundation runs an annual community grants intake with a typical application deadline of March 15. A standardized grant application form asks organizations for governance details, financial statements, project budgets, descriptions of community need, evidence of collaboration with other groups, and plans for long-term viability. Scholarship and bursary applications are usually due in May and use a main application form complemented by specific questions or documentation for each individual award.

Through these mechanisms, the Reston and Area Foundation provides a flexible, locally governed source of philanthropic capital that responds to emerging needs, supports community infrastructure, and invests in the next generation of students from Reston and surrounding communities.