New Mexico Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.5 million+ (2022)
• Total Assets: $35.9 million
• Endowments Managed: $22 million+
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $40,000
• Geographic Focus: Statewide (New Mexico)
• Established: 1983
• Charity Navigator Rating: 100% (Four-Star)

Contact Details

Address: 8 Calle Medico, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Phone: 505-820-6860

Fax: 505-820-7860

Email: info@newmexicofoundation.org

Website: https://newmexicofoundation.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Fridays - office closed, all staff work remotely)

Grants Contact: Erika Davila, Grants Director

• Phone: 505-820-6860 ext. 7003
• Email: edavila@newmexicofoundation.org

Overview

The New Mexico Community Foundation (NMCF), now operating as New Mexico Foundation, is the state's only statewide community foundation. Established in 1983 by a small group of dedicated volunteers who believed in the power of philanthropy as a tool for inspiring creative, community-based change and prosperity, the foundation has evolved into a vital resource for nonprofits across New Mexico. In 2022, NMCF awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to 350 organizations statewide.

With total assets of $35.9 million and managing over $22 million in investments for 50 individuals and organizations, NMCF serves a dual role as both grantmaker and capacity builder. The foundation provides administrative services and financial oversight to over 70 small community organizations through fiscal sponsorship, allowing grassroots groups to focus on their community work while building organizational capacity.

The foundation's mission is to "steward community resources, build partnerships, and create opportunities that transform lives throughout New Mexico," with particular emphasis on supporting rural communities, strengthening nonprofits, and growing philanthropy and endowments across the state.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Sustaining New Mexico Fund (Created 2022)

• Grant Range: $3,000 - $40,000
• Recent awards include: Community Foundation of Lincoln County ($40,000), Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad ($20,000), Lincoln County Food Bank ($10,000), Nourishing Nation ($8,500), and various smaller grants
• Focus on sustainability of nonprofits throughout the state
• Applications accepted through invitation or organization profile form

HEAL Fund (Healthy Entry for Asylee Lives)

• Total Awarded: $1.36 million since 2021
• Recent round: $265,000 to eight nonprofits
• Supports vulnerable children, families and other adults lawfully seeking asylum
• Application process periodically closed

Vecino Fund – Neighbor Helping Neighbor

• Total Awarded: $1.1 million+ since 2015
• Created to address emergency needs of New Mexico communities and organizations
• Program or general operating grants for nonprofits experiencing financial crisis
• Preference given to organizations serving residents in rural communities
• Periodic application cycles (e.g., reopening January 2026)

Native American Preparatory Scholars (NAPS) Fund

• Established 2012 from former Native American Preparatory School assets
• Endowment fund supporting New Mexico Native American students pursuing higher education
• Increases the number who aspire to, are prepared for, and graduate from college/university

Northeastern Regional Health Fund

• Supports organizations doing health-related work in specific northeastern New Mexico counties
• Recent grants: The Birthing Tree ($5,000), Collins Lake Autism Center ($5,000)

Anchorum Community Health Funds

• Recent distribution: $559,520 in grants
• Focus on community health initiatives

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on several key areas:

Rural Community Development: A community-based approach to philanthropy that creates locally controlled assets and invests them to strengthen rural people and places, building a community's ability to shape a better future. Includes the Rural Livelihoods Initiative funding sustainable, community-based economic development projects.

Education and Leadership: Includes the Collaborative Leadership Program that builds collaborative skills required to bring people in diverse communities together to effectively address challenges impacting children and youth. Also supports educational opportunities for underserved populations, particularly Native American students.

Emergency Response: NMCF maintains several emergency funds to respond to immediate emergency needs throughout the state, supporting nonprofits as direct service providers with creative and quick responses to crises.

Food Security and Social Services: Recent grants demonstrate strong support for food banks, nutrition programs, and social service organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Health and Wellness: Support for community health initiatives, health care access in rural areas, and organizations serving specific health needs.

What They Don't Fund

The New Mexico Community Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation operates primarily through:

• Donor-advised funds (where donors direct the distribution)
• Specific designated grant programs with periodic application cycles
• Invitation-based partnerships
• Organizations that complete their General Information Organization Profile Form

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, as the foundation works through targeted initiatives rather than open grant cycles.

Governance and Leadership

Key Staff

Justin Kíí Huenemann - President & CEO (began May 2025) Huenemann brings extensive experience from his previous roles as president and CEO of the First People's Fund and the Native American Community Development Institute. His formative years took place on the Navajo Nation, in Tsaile, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

On his leadership approach: "I like to say I come from a servant-leadership model... Our most important job is not creating barriers. You have to keep in the forefront of your mind your role is to be of service to the people of New Mexico."

On avoiding insularity: "You have to work two times as hard not to let that get to your head," he said of the foundation's role in helping steer public policy and establish priorities, describing community foundations as "a privileged environment within a privileged sector."

Erika Davila - Grants Director Primary contact for grant inquiries and partnerships.

Linda Milbourn - Grants & Fiscal Sponsorship Manager

Board of Directors

Rosemary Romero - Board President

Organizational Values

The foundation emphasizes:

• Local leadership and experience
• Transparency
• Rural New Mexico communities
• Partnerships
• Respect for traditions and culture
• Equity and fairness
• Sustainability

Core Operating Principles:

• Integrity: "Steward and distribute resources with honesty and accountability"
• Collaboration: "Engage in partnerships based on reciprocity and long-term trust-building"

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The New Mexico Community Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Instead, organizations can introduce themselves through:

1. General Information Organization Profile Form: Available on the foundation's website, this form allows organizations to submit their information for consideration.

2. Direct Contact: Organizations interested in learning more about grants and services, or becoming a partner, should contact Erika Davila, Grants Director, at 505-820-6860 ext. 7003 or edavila@newmexicofoundation.org.

3. Specific Grant Program Applications: When designated funds have open application cycles (such as the Vecino Fund or HEAL Fund), organizations can apply during those specified periods. These opportunities are announced on the foundation's website and through their communications.

Application Methods

• Periodic Cycles: Specific funds like the Vecino Fund open for applications at designated times
• Invitation-Based: Many grants are made through invited proposals based on the foundation's strategic priorities and established relationships
• Donor-Advised Funds: Some grants are directed by individual donors who maintain funds at the foundation

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines vary by grant program and are not publicly standardized due to the foundation's invitation-based and fund-specific approach. Organizations should contact the Grants Director for information about timelines for specific opportunities.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded more than $2.5 million to 350 organizations in 2022, demonstrating broad reach across New Mexico's nonprofit sector. However, specific application-to-award success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have submitted their profile or applied for specific grant opportunities should maintain communication with the foundation's grants staff. The foundation values long-term partnerships and repeat grantees are common, particularly in programs like the Sustaining New Mexico Fund.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Based on the New Mexico Foundation's documented priorities and recent grant patterns, successful applicants typically demonstrate:

Strong Rural Focus: The foundation explicitly states preference for organizations serving rural New Mexico communities. Recent grants through the Sustaining New Mexico Fund and Vecino Fund consistently support rural counties including Lincoln, Luna, Chaves, Otero, Curry, DeBaca, Quay, Roosevelt, San Miguel, and Mora counties.

Community-Based Approach: President Justin Kíí Huenemann emphasizes that "our most important job is not creating barriers." The foundation values organizations that are rooted in and responsive to their local communities, with local leadership and experience.

Sustainability and Capacity Building: The Sustaining New Mexico Fund specifically targets nonprofit sustainability. Successful applicants articulate not just immediate needs but how support will build long-term organizational capacity.

Collaborative Spirit: The foundation values "partnerships based on reciprocity and long-term trust-building." Their Collaborative Leadership Program reflects this priority. Applications that demonstrate partnerships or collaborative approaches align with foundation values.

Cultural Competency: With core values including "respect for traditions and culture," the foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate cultural awareness and competency, particularly regarding New Mexico's diverse populations including Native American, Hispanic, and rural communities.

Emergency Response Capability: The foundation's emergency funds and rapid response mechanisms suggest they value organizations that can quickly and effectively address urgent community needs.

Service to Vulnerable Populations: Recent grants consistently support organizations serving underserved populations: asylum seekers (HEAL Fund), Native American students (NAPS Fund), food-insecure residents, and rural communities with limited access to services.

Strategic Guidance from Leadership

President Huenemann's emphasis on avoiding barriers suggests that strong applications:

• Are clear and accessible in their presentation
• Focus on community benefit rather than organizational prestige
• Demonstrate accountability and transparency
• Show awareness of the broader New Mexico context

His commitment to "servant-leadership" indicates the foundation values organizations with similar community-focused, humble approaches rather than top-down models.

Building Relationships

Given that the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, organizations should:

• Submit a thorough General Information Organization Profile Form
• Maintain regular communication with Erika Davila, Grants Director
• Participate in New Mexico philanthropic and nonprofit networks where foundation staff may be present
• Consider fiscal sponsorship opportunities if the organization is grassroots or emerging (70+ organizations currently sponsored)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited proposals: Don't submit a full proposal without first completing the General Information Organization Profile Form or being invited to apply for a specific fund opportunity
• Rural emphasis is real: The foundation explicitly prioritizes rural New Mexico communities across multiple grant programs
• Relationship-based grantmaking: As the state's only statewide community foundation, NMCF works through partnerships and relationships rather than competitive open cycles
• Multiple pathways to funding: Beyond grants, explore fiscal sponsorship services, donor-advised fund opportunities, and specific program initiatives
• Sustainability matters: The foundation invests in long-term organizational capacity, not just project funding
• Cultural competency essential: With values centered on respect for traditions and culture, and a CEO with deep Native American community roots, demonstrate authentic cultural awareness
• Think collaboration: The foundation's emphasis on partnerships means competitive or siloed approaches may not resonate as well as collaborative strategies

References

• New Mexico Community Foundation official website: https://newmexicofoundation.org (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• GuideStar Profile for New Mexico Community Foundation (EIN 85-0311210): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/85-0311210 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/850311210 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating for New Mexico Community Foundation: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/850311210 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• "New leader at New Mexico Foundation focused on avoiding insular perspective," Santa Fe New Mexican, June 2025: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/business_beat/new-leader-at-new-mexico-foundation-focused-on-avoiding-insular-perspective/article_45088be7-828a-49e6-af29-eb509e2dda87.html (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• New Mexico Foundation Grants page: https://newmexicofoundation.org/we-build-and-fund/grants/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• New Mexico Foundation Fiscal Sponsor Directory: https://fiscalsponsordirectory.org/?page_id=791 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Sustaining New Mexico Fund page: https://newmexicofoundation.org/we-build-and-fund/grants/sustaining-new-mexico-fund/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Vecino Fund page: https://newmexicofoundation.org/we-build-and-fund/grants/vecino/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Native American Preparatory Scholars Fund page: https://newmexicofoundation.org/we-build-and-fund/grants/native-american-prep-scholars/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Groundworks NM Grantmakers Directory: https://www.groundworksnm.org/grantmakers-directory/new-mexico-community-foundation (Accessed February 24, 2026)