In 1987, Sheila established a charitable foundation to "promote knowledge, participation in and appreciation of Canadian arts and crafts and their importance in the cultural heritage of Canada."

Known throughout the province for her extensive support of artistic initiatives, Sheila Mackay guided the foundation in the establishment of three major awards:

• 1991 - The $10,000 Strathbutler Award for artistic excellence and substantial contribution to the culture of the province over a significant period of time.
• 2001 - In honour of Saint John artist Fred Ross, Sheila created a scholarship for a high school student beginning a course of study in an arts field
• 2002 - The $1000 Nel Oudemans Award for recent graduates of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design who exhibit the pursuit of excellence in their chosen field.

In 1996, she was awarded the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts Silver Medal for her efforts in Atlantic Canada. In the words of her nominator, Joe Sherman, editor of ARTSAtlantic, "Sheila Mackay has established a foundation to advance the public interest in the arts and also to advance the careers of many individuals and organizations. Her support is generous, clearly defined and well expressed recognizing excellence and the individual contributions of artists in their respective fields."

In 2004 Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation was awarded the New Brunswick Arts Foundation's first Philanthropy Award. She was recognised both for her assistance to hundreds of NB artists and craftspeople through grants and awards and for significantly raising the profile of art and fine craft in the provimce.

Ms Mackay died in Aruba in 2004, bequeathing a generous endowment to the Foundation she created to support the arts that were central to her life.