In support of its mission to further education in the fiber arts, MAFA awards several types of grants. A Grants Committee consisting of a chairperson and representatives from across the MAFA region, in consultation with the MAFA Board, determines the recipients of grant awards and verifies that awardees have fullfilled the requirements to receive funds.
MAFA Grants are awarded yearly to member guilds and non-profit organizations in the region based on applications describing how the proposed fiber-related project will educate and/or otherwise benefit the public. Fifty percent of the funding is provided at project award, 50 percent upon completion of a final report on project.
Micro-Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $500 for development and maintenance of member guilds to promote recovery from the pandemic, growth and development, or enhanced activities and education for the guild.
Fellowships are awarded in conference years based on applications describing how the attendee plans to utilize the knowledge gained at the conference to further educate others. Fellowship recipients must attend the conference in order to receive an award. Funding is provided after the committee receives a final report from the applicant.
Scholarships are awarded by the MAFA Board to students in the conference’s beginning spinning and weaving classes to support their post-conference fiber explorations. No application is required.
Special Awards
There are currently two named awards:
Allen B. Fannin Scholarship, named in honor of the 2005 conference keynote speaker, who was killed in a car accident shortly before the conference. Mr. Fannin was a devoted teacher of new spinners and weavers. This award has been distributed to novice spinners and weavers at every subsequent conference.
Ellen Dorosh Memorial Award was established in memory of Ellen Dorosh, our president and long-time volunteer, who died while in office in 2014. Its purpose is to support MAFA guild members who wish to improve their weaving skills. Award winners must be weavers and MAFA guild members. The Grants Committee will determine which, if any, of the MAFA Fellowship applicants will be awarded the Dorosh Award.