Villagers greet the MAF plane in a remote area of Kalimantan, Indonesia. Photo by Dave Forney, MAF.

NAMPA, Idaho  –– Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is one of 20 nonprofit organizations named as finalists for a 2012 grant from the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation. Lightspeed made the announcement today at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida.

The final grant recipients will be selected by aviation enthusiasts who vote online at the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation website. The five charities that receive the most votes will each receive a grant of $10,000.

“We are grateful to the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation for its support of those organizations that use aviation to do good,” said John Boyd, MAF president and CEO. “This is an exciting opportunity for MAF, and we encourage our friends to vote online!”

Voting is open March 28 through Nov. 2, 2012. Winners will be announced in November.

MAF received Lightspeed grants in 2010 and 2011, with Lightspeed citing the ministry organization’s work to meet the physical and spiritual needs of isolated people around the world. To be eligible for the foundation’s grants, aviation organizations must be committed to growing the pilot community, building awareness, and using their grants for compassion and service to others.

Lightspeed Aviation manufactures headsets that are used by MAF pilots and others around the world.