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Santa Fe Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,000,000
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; 14 days for SUN grants
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000 (Community Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Northern New Mexico (Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.santafecf.org/

Phone: (505) 988-9715

Email: foundation@santafecf.org

Address: 501 Halona St., Santa Fe, NM 87505

Grantseeker Contact: Diane Hamamoto, Director of Grants & Community Impact
Email: dhamamoto@santafecf.org
Phone: (505) 988-9715 ext. 7008

Overview

Founded in 1981, the Santa Fe Community Foundation is the largest nonprofit funder in New Mexico, managing over $144 million in assets through 545 philanthropic funds. The Foundation awarded approximately $12 million in grants annually, supporting hundreds of local nonprofits across northern New Mexico. Its mission is to inspire philanthropic generosity, strengthen nonprofits, and foster positive change to build a more vibrant, healthy, and resilient region. The Foundation operates with core values of Equity, Perseverance, Listening, and Generosity, and has earned a Four-Star rating (97% score) from Charity Navigator. Notable achievements include being the first and largest LGBTQ+ funder in New Mexico and one of the largest supporters of Indigenous causes in the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Program

  • Spring Cycle (February 3 - March 9): $5,000 - $20,000 based on organizational budget
  • Fall Cycle (July 21 - August 24): $5,000 - $20,000 based on organizational budget
  • Grant amounts determined by annual organizational budget:
    • Up to $50,000 budget: $5,000 grants
    • $50,001 - $150,000 budget: $10,000 grants
    • $150,001 - $500,000 budget: $15,000 grants
    • $500,001+ budget: $20,000 grants
  • In 2024, awarded $840,000 to 58 nonprofits; in 2023, awarded $935,000 to 81 nonprofits

Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Grants

  • Addresses short-term, unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive opportunities or emergencies
  • Decisions made within 14 days of application submission
  • Amount not publicly specified

Envision Fund

  • First and largest LGBTQ+ funder in New Mexico (over $1 million in grants since 1997)
  • Priority areas:
    • Combating discrimination against LGBTQ+ people (employment, housing, immigration, healthcare access)
    • Supporting school-based programs creating safe environments for LGBTQ+ students
    • Promoting holistic reproductive health and gender-affirming healthcare
  • Statewide New Mexico eligibility

Native American Advised Fund (NAAF)

  • Established in 1993 with gift from Allan Houser (Chiricahua Fort Sill Apache)
  • Enhances Native lifeways through support for community, language, culture, and environment
  • 2025 awards: $205,000 (largest round to date)
  • Statewide New Mexico eligibility

Santa Fe Baby Fund

  • Supports infant and toddler wellbeing
  • Priority areas:
    • Increasing access to high-quality, affordable infant and toddler care
    • Supporting grandparents or non-parent kin raising infants and toddlers
    • Advocacy and movement-building work
  • Serves Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties

Empower! Black Futures Community Fund

  • Founded in 2023
  • Dedicated to supporting Black life, arts, and culture in New Mexico

Priority Areas

  • Civic & Economic Opportunities
  • Health & Human Services
  • Animal Welfare
  • Arts & Culture
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Direct service, policy advocacy, and collaborative efforts

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious purposes
  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowments
  • Scholarships (separate scholarship programs available for students)
  • Individual support

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Christopher Goett, MSW

Christopher Goett stated: "I know first-hand how uniquely positioned community foundations are within the field of philanthropy to positively influence local communities." Regarding the Foundation's approach, he emphasized: "Giving is a practice that's at the very heart of philanthropy, and one that I believe brings out the best in each of us." Goett drives the overall strategic direction and works to amplify SFCF's role as a community resource through strategic partnerships, identifying focus areas including affordability and food insecurity.

Board Leadership:

  • Kim Walker, Chair
  • Celia Foy Castillo, Vice-Chair
  • Helena Ribe, Vice-Chair
  • Janet Pacheco-Morton, Treasurer
  • Leslie Nathanson Juris, Secretary

Notable Board Members:

  • Ana Marie Argilagos - President/CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy
  • Andrew Rudnick - Former CEO of Buffalo Niagara Partnership
  • Justin Talbot Zorn - Author, adviser, and policymaker
  • Porter Swentzell - Enrolled member of Santa Clara Pueblo, Executive Director of Kha'p'o Community School

Key Staff:

  • Annmarie McLaughlin - Senior Director, Community Programs
  • Sandra Session-Robertson - Vice President, Development & Donor Relations
  • Diane Hamamoto - Director, Grants & Community Impact
  • Eileen Street - Chief Financial Officer

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Foundation's online grantee portal at santafecf.org.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Located in or serve Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, or Mora counties
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit, governmental agency, or federally recognized tribe in New Mexico (or have fiscal sponsor)
  • At least 3 years old
  • Employ staff and provide services without discrimination

Application Restrictions:

  • Organizations may submit only ONE community grant application per year
  • Organizations that applied in the spring cycle cannot apply in the fall cycle during the same year
  • Organizations may still apply to specialized funds (Envision Fund, Native American Advised Fund, Santa Fe Baby Fund) even if they applied for a community grant

Application Process:

  1. Create account in grantee portal
  2. Submit application during open grant cycle
  3. Foundation reviews for completeness and alignment
  4. Potential site visits for selected applicants
  5. Final review and decision

Decision Timeline

  • Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Grants: 14 days from application submission
  • Community Grants: Timeline varies by cycle; decisions typically announced several months after deadline
  • 2024 Community Grants: Announced in May for spring cycle
  • 2023 Community Grants: Announced in August for fall cycle

Organizations receive notification via email through the grantee portal.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, in 2024, 58 organizations received funding, and in 2023, 81 organizations received funding through the Community Grants program. The Foundation notes that the program is competitive, with fierce competition across their diverse funding areas.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations are limited to one community grant application per calendar year. If an organization applied in the spring cycle (whether successful or unsuccessful), they cannot apply in the fall cycle of the same year. Specific information about whether unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent years is not publicly disclosed; applicants should contact the Foundation directly for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Based on information from the Foundation's website and documentation:

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Alignment with funding priorities: Applications must clearly demonstrate how the work aligns with the Foundation's priority areas
  • Completeness of application: All required information and documentation must be provided
  • Equity lens: The Foundation prioritizes equity and belonging in their operations and grantmaking, seeking organizations that address systemic injustice
  • Collaborative approach: Organizations engaged in collaborative efforts and partnerships are valued
  • Financial sustainability: Evidence of sound financial management and organizational stability

What the Foundation Values:

  • Organizations committed to serving marginalized communities (the Foundation has committed to allocating the majority of grantmaking to marginalized communities and at least 25% to social justice strategies)
  • Direct service, policy advocacy, and community organizing work
  • Organizations that demonstrate cultural competence serving diverse communities
  • Nonprofits with strong community connections and place-based approaches
  • Organizations that serve vulnerable populations including LGBTQ+ communities, Native Americans, and economically disadvantaged populations

Recent Funding Examples (2024):

  • Education: 16 nonprofits including Academy for Technology & the Classics – Mountain Club ($185,000 total)
  • Health & Human Services: 20 nonprofits ($330,000 total)
  • Arts & Culture: 8 nonprofits ($110,000 total)
  • Animal Welfare: 5 nonprofits ($95,000 total)

Recent Funding Examples (2023):

  • Girls Inc. of Santa Fe (Education)
  • Pet-A-Bulls, Inc. (Animal Welfare)
  • Museum of New Mexico Foundation (Arts & Culture)
  • Mora Creative Council (Arts & Culture)
  • Lensic Performing Arts Center (Arts & Culture)

Strategic Considerations:

  • The Foundation emphasizes streamlined application processes, minimizing time nonprofits spend on applications
  • Organizations should clearly articulate their work in the context of northern New Mexico's specific needs
  • Given the Foundation's commitment to equity, applications should demonstrate how the work advances equity and serves historically marginalized communities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • One application per year rule: Plan carefully which cycle to apply for; organizations cannot apply to both spring and fall cycles in the same year
  • Budget-based grant tiers: Grant amounts are predetermined based on organizational budget size ($5,000 to $20,000), so ensure you apply for the correct tier
  • Equity commitment is central: The Foundation has committed to allocating the majority of grants to marginalized communities and at least 25% to social justice strategies; applications should demonstrate this alignment
  • Geographic specificity matters: All work must serve Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, or San Miguel counties; demonstrate deep knowledge of regional needs
  • Multiple funding streams available: If ineligible for community grants, explore specialized funds (Envision Fund for LGBTQ+ work, Native American Advised Fund, Santa Fe Baby Fund)
  • Collaborative approaches valued: The Foundation appreciates partnerships and collaborative efforts to address community challenges
  • Streamlined process: The Foundation prioritizes efficiency in grantmaking; complete applications thoroughly but concisely

References

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