Nonprofit aviation group in Nampa honored for use of geographic technology

A nonprofit group that serves remote communities around the globe through aviation as a means of spreading the Gospels, has been honored for its use of technology in its efforts.

Mission Aviation Fellowship in Nampa was recognized by Esri at its 2025 User Conference in San Diego with a Special Achievement in GIS Award for the nonprofit’s “innovative use of Geographic Information Systems to enhance operations in some of the most remote and logistically challenging regions in the world.”

Esri is a software company specializing in GIS, with its signature platform ArcGIS, and its software is used in everything from data collection to urban planning.

MAF was founded in 1945 by World War II pilots and serves 29 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Indonesia and Latin America. The Christian nonprofit supports relief and humanitarian agencies, missionaries and Bible translators.

Esri selected 197 organizations out of its 700,000-client base “for setting new precedents in the GIS community.” MAF was selected for integration of Esri software “to optimize flight planning, improve situational awareness, and ensure timely delivery of critical resources including medical supplies and disaster relief.”

“GIS has transformed the way we serve isolated communities,” said Frank Roberts, Global Data Architect at MAF. “By visualizing terrain, weather, airstrips and community needs in real time, our pilots and logistics teams can make data-driven decisions that improve safety, reduce fuel costs, and increase the reliability of our missions.”

The annual award was presented by Jack Dangermond, president and founder of Esri, with the emphasis that it is awarded to organizations which show an “outstanding use of GIS technology to solve real-world problems and make a positive difference.”