Native American Relief Fund Provides Additional $609,000 to Tribal communities in New Mexico for COVID-19 Response

The Native American Relief Fund distributed $609,000 on Friday, June 26, 2020 to support COVID-19 response and relief efforts to Native communities in New Mexico. These funds were distributed among 38 nonprofit organizations and tribes in the state. Each nonprofit or Tribe can use these resources to prevent and respond to threats from the COVID-19 pandemic including: food, medical supplies and personal items; water; community and individual relief and recovery needs; internet access and connectivity and other needs and expenses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribal governments can also count these funds toward the non-federal match requirements needed to secure Public Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“We are pleased to provide a second round of funding from the Native American Relief Fund to our tribes and non-profit organizations in New Mexico. Our Native communities continue to need support to address the challenges of COVID-19 among our families. Our commitment is to continue to help our Native communities so the impact of COVID-19 will be mitigated.”

President & CEO, JoAnn Melchor. 

The New Mexico Foundation launched the Native American Relief Fund on April 20, 2020 to prevent, mitigate or respond to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on New Mexico Tribes, Nations and Pueblos and Native Americans who live off-reservation. The first-round distribution of $575K from the Native American Relief Fund was on Friday, May 22, 2020 to support COVID-19 response and relief efforts in tribal communities in New Mexico. These funds were distributed equally among the twenty-three Pueblos, Tribes and Nations located wholly or partially in the state. The amount distributed from this fund thus far is $1,184,000. Fundraising for the Native American Relief Fund is on-going to reach the goal of $3 million. 


About the New Mexico Foundation

The mission of the New Mexico Foundation is to steward resources, build partnerships, and create opportunities that transform lives and communities throughout New Mexico. The Foundation pools resources to support New Mexico’s most underserved communities, strengthens New Mexico’s nonprofits and grow philanthropy, especially in rural New Mexico. It also connects donors to valuable projects and vulnerable communities, as well as work to be responsive to current, and often urgent, community needs. 

For more information visit: www.newmexicofoundation.org