Staples Motley Area Community Foundation

08/29/2026

We're celebrating the heart and strength of our communities!

​The Staples Motley Area Community Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025/26 Community Awards. Strong communities are built and supported by dedicated people who work tirelessly—both behind the scenes and on the front lines—to make the Staples and Motley communities a brighter, stronger, and more connected place to live.

​Please join us in honoring and congratulating this year’s Community Awards winners:

👨‍🚒 Youth of the Year: Reid Judd
👩‍🏫 Citizen of the Year: Christine Trout
🚂 Organization of Year: Staples Historical Society
👩‍⚕️Dr. Duane R. Lund Lifetime Achievement: Julie Benson

​Thank you to our award winners for your dedication, leadership, and unwavering support of the Staples Motley area. Your hard work inspires us all! 👏

05/24/2026

It's that time of year! Nominations for the Staples Motley Area Community Foundation Community Awards for Citizen, Youth, and Business/Organization of the Year are open until June 15. If you know a person or business deserving of recognition, submit a nomination today!

https://funds.ifound.org/smacf/

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!