Staples Motley Area Community Foundation

10/20/2025

We've extended the fall grant deadline to November 1st, so apply today!
👉 https://funds.ifound.org/smacf/

The Staples Motley Area Community Foundation works to develop and strengthen community resources and to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and organizations in the Staples and Motley Communities and the Staples Motley School District.

10/02/2025

There are about two weeks left to submit a grant application for our fall 🍂cycle! Grant money is available to public, academic and nonprofit organizations that serve residents living and/or working within the boundaries of the Staples-Motley School District.

Submit an application before October 15th by clicking:
👉 https://funds.ifound.org/smacf/

Spring grant recipients included:
🎒Faith Lutheran Church Staples: Back to school fair
🚐Wadena County Friendly Rider: Free rides for summer activities
⛺️Old Wadena Society: Old Wadena Rendezvous and Chautauqua
🎼Staples-Motley Area Art's Council: Music in the Park
🚂LEAP: Railroad Days
☀️Motley Community Events Organization: June Fest
🎭LEAP: Cardinal Performing Art Center
🎤Staples Area Men's Chorus: Little Red Caboose Variety Show
📚Staples-Motley School District: The Cardinal Way 2.0
🚶‍♀️LEAP: Legacy Arboretum and Nature Trail

The Staples Motley Area Community Foundation works to develop and strengthen community resources and to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and organizations in the Staples and Motley Communities and the Staples Motley School District.

08/29/2025

We are thrilled to announce the 2024/25 Staples Motley Area Community Foundation's Annual Community Awards winners!

Please join us in congratulating:
🧍‍♂️Citizen of the Year: Shane Tappe
🏥 Business of the Year: Lakewood Health System
🏈 Youth of the Year: 2024 Staples-Motley Football team

We could not have asked for better representatives of our communities, and we appreciate Greg Frisk, Renee Kroll, and Debbie Ferdon for their nominations.

We also want to extend a big thank you to Nick Trout and Mitch and Leah McCallson for their incredible work making the awards video.

And our final thank you goes out to our Corporate Partners whose generosity and commitment to community made this video possible:
🔴 Daniel Douts State Farm Agent
🟤 Enberg Logging LLC
🔵 First International Bank & Trust
🟢 Holst Acres
⚫️ The Ives Family
🟠 Lakewood Health System
🟣 North Fourth Laundry and Carwash
🟡 Prairie View Neighborhood
⚪️ Timberlake Hotel

08/05/2025

We are proud to support this great new addition to our community! Get your nature on and hit the Legacy Arboretum and Nature Trail. 🚶‍♀️🧑‍🦽

We extend our sincere gratitude to our donors/partners for making the vision of the Legacy Arboretum and Nature Trail a reality. Your support brings learning and nature to life! City of Staples, Staples Motley Area Community Foundation, Lakewood Health System, Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative, Central Lakes College, Staples-Motley School District, Hubbard's Hardware

05/09/2025

The Staples Motley Area Community Foundation has extended the spring grant deadline to May 15. Which means, there are still a few more days to submit your application!

This is a great opportunity to get funding to help support programs and initiatives to strengthen youth and families, improving community appearance, and increasing community involvement and leadership. Click the link to apply today!

➡️ https://ifound.spectrumportal.net/accounts/signin

12/13/2024

The SMACF is proud to support the Staples Historical Society's annual Polar Xpress - Holiday Festival happening this weekend! Be sure to stop by and enjoy all the holiday fun they have in store. 🎄🎅🏽🚂

https://facebook.com/events/s/the-polar-xpress-holiday-festi/1713297255910275/

07/19/2024

We are so excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Staples Motley Area Community Foundation awards!
Youth of the Year: Kenzie Erickson
Business of the Year: 3M
Citizen of the Year: Bryan Winkels

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, and a huge congratulations to this year's winners!

07/12/2024

One week from today, we'll be sharing the winners of the 2024 Staples Motley Area Community Foundation Community Awards: Youth of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year, right here on our page.

Be sure to check it out and join us at 7 p.m. in recognizing some great people in our community!

05/02/2024

We're extending the deadline to make nominations for the 2024 Citizen, Youth and Business/Organization of the Year, so if you know someone deserving (and we know there are many), click the link to nominate them today!

We're looking for nominations for this year's Staples Motley Area Community Foundation Community Awards! The award categories include:
· Citizen of the Year
· Business or Organization of the Year
· Youth of the Year

Nominations can be made through May 1st and award recipients will be announced in May right here on our page. Click the link for additional details or to submit a nomination: https://www.staplesmotleyfoundation.org/community-awards.html

This is a great opportunity to showcase the great people and businesses we're so fortunate to have in the Staples and Motley communities!

04/23/2024

We're looking for nominations for this year's Staples Motley Area Community Foundation Community Awards! The award categories include:
· Citizen of the Year
· Business or Organization of the Year
· Youth of the Year

Nominations can be made through May 1st and award recipients will be announced in May right here on our page. Click the link for additional details or to submit a nomination: https://www.staplesmotleyfoundation.org/community-awards.html

This is a great opportunity to showcase the great people and businesses we're so fortunate to have in the Staples and Motley communities!

03/29/2024

The Staples Motley Area Community Foundation spring grant cycle is coming to a close, but there’s still time to submit your application!

Go to www.staplesmotleyfoundation.org/how-to-apply to submit an application before April 15, 2024 to be considered.

12/11/2023

We're so glad to see this great event back for another year! 🚂🎅🏽 This is just one example of how SMACF grants can be used in our community. The spring grant cycle is open until April 15, so be sure to submit an application.

https://www.staplesmotleyfoundation.org/how-to-apply.html

This train is leaving the station! Over the past two days, we enjoyed having over 1,200 people hop on the Polar Xpress!

We are grateful to our sponsors for making this family event possible! Thank you to the following sponsors!

Arvig
Design Consign
Central Building Supply
Central Lakes College
Chris & Kristi Metz
Daniel Douts State Farm Agent
First International Bank & Trust
Giza Plumbing & Heating
Ideal Construction
Lakewood Health System
Mayer, Porter and Nelson Ltd.
Miran Creek
Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union Staples
Norson
Staples Chamber of Commerce
Staples Lions
Rotary Club of Staples
Staples Motley Area Community Foundation
Sourcewell
Tower Pizza
Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative
Unity Bank