Fundholder Spotlight – New Mexico First Legacy Fund

With the closure of New Mexico First in 2025, a 38-year tradition of civic engagement found new life through NMPBS, which received the organization’s remaining resources to continue its mission. Founded in 1986, New Mexico First was renowned for its research-driven, bipartisan town halls that brought hundreds of New Mexicans together to deliberate on the state’s most pressing challenges. That legacy now carries forward in ACROSS NEW MEXICO, an original NM PBS series inspired by those forums and devoted to modeling civil discourse among a diverse group of residents.

Premiering in December 2025 with the episode “Civil Discourse,” the series emerged from extensive statewide listening and collaboration. As producer Benjamin A. Yazza explains, “ACROSS NEW MEXICO is a production engaging New Mexicans across the state to understand their viewpoints on critical issues that affect their communities.” With new episodes planned twice yearly, the program affirms that while New Mexico First has closed its doors, the practice of thoughtful, inclusive conversation it championed continues—renewed in form, but faithful in purpose.

Donations can be made here, and will benefit the New Mexico First Legacy Fund for ongoing work of the project. To watch the premier episode of ACROSS NEW MEXICO, click to their website – https://www.pbs.org/video/civil-discourse-xjkmgm

NMCF helps nonprofits, like NM PBS, with agency funds by providing professional investment management. This allows agencies to pool assets for better returns, as well as handling complex gift administration (like planned giving), reducing administrative burden, offering technical support, and freeing staff to focus on their mission.

These funds act as an external endowment, providing a reliable, low-cost way for nonprofits to build long-term reserves separate from daily operations. An agency endowment is established by a charity at a community foundation for the charity’s own benefit or the benefit.

To learn more about agency funds, visit our website, give us a call at 505.820.6860, or reach out to Janice at jmorrow@newmexicofoundation.org.