Grant Management Policy

  • Grants are made annually.
  • Grants are made to qualified donees as defined by Revenue Canada (See CRA Summary Policy CSP-Q01). Nonprofit organizations that are not registered charities are eligible to receive funds only when working in collaboration with a qualified done, and a statement attesting to the nature of the collaboration may be requested by the Miami Area Foundation. In these instances, the qualified donee is the applicant.
  • Recipient organizations must demonstrate a strong and committed board, fiscal responsibility and effective management.
  • Grant recipients will be required to complete a grant report showing accountability for the use of the funds within one year. Failure to complete this report may result in denial of future fund applications.
  • Projects must benefit primarily the people of the “Community”(defined as the Rural Municipality of Thompson and Town of Miami).
  • Applicants must establish that there is a need for their project.
  • Grants are awarded for definite purposes and for projects covering a specific period of time.
  • Applicants requesting funding for capital projects must demonstrate ongoing ability to operate and maintain the asset.
  • The project must be realistic and within the capacity of the organization to carry out.
  • The applicant should provide evidence of appropriate current support from the broader community.
  • Matching or challenge grants may be made in appropriate circumstances.
  • Frequency of grants to any one organization may be limited in order to assure equitable access to support for all organizations.
  • Grants to organizations that serve a broader community than that served Miami and Area Foundation may be considered if the proposed project is deemed to benefit the people in Miami and Area.
  • When approving grants, the Board may consider:
    – The likelihood of the project to meet MAF donor wishes and interest.
    – The ability of the applicant organization to fund its own activities.
    – The vulnerability/need of the constituency that the application serves (eg. Children, seniors, persons with disabilities).
    – The likelihood of the project proceeding without MAF funding.
    – The question of whether MAF funding is crucial to the organization’s ability to leverage other support.
    – The number of people who might potentially benefit.
    – The influence the project may have on the future of the community.
    – Geographic distribution of projects being adjudicated.

Preference is given to projects which:  

  • Benefit the whole community.
  • Encourage more efficient use of community resources.
  • Demonstrate new approaches and techniques in the solution of community problems.
  • Promote cooperation and sharing among organizations, eliminating duplication of services.
  • Effectively utilize volunteer participation.
  • Strengthen an organization’s capacity to be sustainable.

Any board member of the Miami and Area Foundation, that is a board member of an organization which is applying for a grant, must excuse him or herself from the voting process. The board member may take part in the discussion.

Grants are not made to/for:

  • Individuals
  • Political activities
  • Establish or add to endowment funds
  • Annual fund drives
  • Direct religious activities
  • Mortgages or deficit reduction
  • Specific medical or scientific research projects
  • Scholarships or bursaries
  • Projects completed before the grant decision takes place