The New Mexico Foundation has granted approximately $873,000 in emergency grants from our Vecino, Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund to nonprofits and tribes that support New Mexicans. An additional $10,000 from this fund was awarded to nonprofits to support fire relief efforts in New Mexico. Since spring of 2020, we have raised nearly $900,000 and made approximately 180 grants providing funding for food, water, and other emergency needs.
To download the Vecino Fund Grant Report Form, Click Here
El Valle Community Center – $3,000 (San Miguel County)
This grant responded to a funding gap that occurred because of San Miguel County’s financial burden of the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon wildfires. The grant supports food pantry manager salary and propane for the community center located in Villanueva, NM.
Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas Sangre de Cristo Sunrise – $2,500 (San Miguel County)
Sunrise Kiwanis, an affiliate of Kiwanis International, focuses on improving the lives of children in Las Vegas, NM. This grant is to purchase food for its Food for Thought program, which delivers nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to targeted low-income children on weekends.
Golden Spread/Rural Frontier Coalition – $2,500 (Harding and Union County)
This organization provides planning, administrative and financing to support non-profit businesses and economic growth initiatives, which can respond to human services needs around community and economic development, health, employment and affordable housing. The grant is for purchasing equipment to establish a food pantry in Clayton, NM.
New Mexico Black Cat Cultural Enterprises – $2,500 (Bernalillo County)
This organization uses the arts to improve mental, emotional, economic, and ecological well-being. The grant is to support rental payment of the organization’s performance space.
Project:Camp – $5,000 (Lincoln and Chaves Counties)
This organization provides free, trauma-informed childcare to support children and their families when disasters strike. The grant covered operating expenses for childcare services to those affected by 2024 Ruidoso wildfires.
Food is Free Albuquerque Chapter – $5,000 (Valencia, Torrance, Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Sandoval Counties)
This organization is primarily a gleaning organization, working to bridge the gap between those with surplus local produce and those in need. The grant assists with Lead Harvesters’ pay and mileage expenses for personal vehicles as harvest requests increased by 90%.
Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico – $5,000 (Dona Ana, Hidalgo, Chaves, Eddy, Lea and Luna Counties)
This grant goes towards creating new school food pantries or re-stocking existing ones with a particular focus on assisting students who are unhoused.
Groundworks New Mexico – $5,000 (Bernalillo)
This organization works to unite New Mexico’s social sector through collaboration, strategic partnerships, and capacity building services. The grant is to support match for a health foundation grant that organization received.