- 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