The Sustaining New Mexico Fund is now closed.
The New Mexico Foundation (NMF) staff and board of directors created the Sustaining New Mexico Fund in 2022 to support sustainability of nonprofits throughout the state. This fund will award grants to organizations that align with NMF’s priority fields of interest: community resilience, educational opportunities, environmental adaptability, healthy communities, and rural infrastructure. The mission of the fund is to strengthen New Mexico communities by promoting social equity and supporting self-sufficiency to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans.
Each year, the Sustaining New Mexico Fund awards program or general operating grants to New Mexico nonprofit or fiscally-sponsored organizations with demonstrated long-term impact.
The 2024 grant cycle will open in June.
In 2023, New Mexico Foundation awarded
$110,700 in funds to the following 15 organizations:
Bernal Community Center (San Miguel County) – $3,000
To support repairs needed in the community center’s multipurpose room, which houses community events such as holiday celebrations, fundraisers and family gatherings. The building was originally constructed during the Works Progress Administration, and also houses a separate gym that holds sports events, dances and food distribution services for the community.
Carrizozo Works (Lincoln County) – $3,000
To support the creation of a food co-op in the community of Carrizozo, where residents have expressed for a number a years that a need exists. The nearest supermarket is located 20 minutes away, and this grant will support research, outreach and other start-up costs.
Chimayo Cultural Preservation Association (Rio Arriba County) – $3,000
To support the Los Maestros’ program. The program works with local artists who in turn teach area youth Spanish colonial arts such as colcha embroidery, tin work, retablo making.
Collins Lake Autism Center (Mora County) – $5,000
To support the Collins Ranch Outdoor Education program. The Collins Lake Autism Center was founded in 2010 to support individuals with autism and and developmental disabilities. The 300-acre ranch provides supportive living, employment services, outdoor education and other programs.
Deming Silver Linings (Luna County) – $10,000
For general operating support. Deming Silver Linings serves the needs of people who are homeless in Luna County. The organization provides meals, counseling, clothing and basic necessities.
Embudo Valley Library and Community Center (Rio Arriba County) – $3,000
To help support the center’s afterschool programming for youth. The center provides educational, cultural and recreational resources for area residents, in addition to a full-service library and community building for public use.
End of Life Options New Mexico (Bernalillo County) – $10,000
To support outreach and education for residents in San Miguel, Taos and Rio Arriba counties, on the importance of advance healthcare planning. The organization provides education and outreach statewide.
Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe (Santa Fe County) – $5,000
To support the Workplace Tutoring program, which provides free basic literacy classes and English-as-a-Second-Language tutoring to employees across areas of Satna Fe. The organization provides services online and in-person.
Las Vegas Community Soup Kitchen (San Miguel County) – $8,700
For general operating support, to allow the organization to continue providing food bags and hot meals to clients from Las Vegas and surrounding communities.
Not Forgotten Outreach (Taos County) – $10,000
To support stipends for VetCorps Service members, which trains beginning veteran farmers about agriculture and connects them with area farmers. The organization combines its programming with mental health resources.
Ojo Sarco Community Center (Rio Arriba and Taos County) – $10,000
For general operating support to continue the center’s core programs. The center has been supporting the community since 1988 and offers early childhood literacy programs, summer camps, youth leader program, a food pantry, a pop-up gallery during the High Road Art Tour and many other services to the community of Ojo Sarco, along with neighboring villages of Las Trampas, Chamisal and Peñasco.
Spirit of Hidalgo (Hidalgo County) – $10,000
To support capacity building of the organization, which for 13 years has been all-volunteer run. The organization has provided many programs for Hidalgo County women and children over the years and is looking at formalizing its systems and transition to having paid staff.
Self Help, Inc. (Los Alamos County) – $10,000
To support our core programs, which help individuals and families meet their basic needs through financial aid, and information and resource navigation services. Funds will also support our Seed Grant Program, providing low-income individuals with access to micro-grants (typically $1,000) to further their long-term economic stability
Supporting People in Need (Grant County) – $10,000
To support operations of the shelter, which runs 24 hours a day. SPIN currently provides food, shelter, life skills and other therapeutic services to residents from Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties.
The Gallup Community Pantry (McKinley County) – $10,000
For general operations of the food pantry.