Letter from the President – October, 2025

Letter from the President – October, 2025

What happens when you work hard and still can’t get ahead? 

Hopes and dreams are powerful seeds. They drive individuals and families to work hard, plan, invest, and strive for a better life. The pursuit of happiness is an inalienable right — and at its best, it leads to a higher quality of life for all. 

But what happens when you work hard and still can’t get ahead? When do dreams give way to the daily fight for basic survival? When do you lose hope? 

For many New Mexicans, this is reality. According to a recent United Way report, 46% of New Mexico households are ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed — people earning above the federal poverty level but still unable to afford basic living expenses. 

On top of financial strain, thousands of New Mexicans are at risk of losing health care. New Mexico has the highest Medicaid enrollment per capita — 42% of the population. With new federal eligibility requirements, an estimated 88,530 residents are expected to lose coverage permanently. Medicaid currently pays for more than half of births in the state and covers nearly 295,000 children. (Health Care Authority) 

Food insecurity is also rising. One in five New Mexicans relies on food assistance, and new federal rules will require the state to contribute an additional $203 million annually just to maintain current service levels. As of today, 459,535 residents — 21% of our population — are enrolled in SNAP. (Health Care Authority) 

These are only a few examples of the very real challenges facing our neighbors and communities. 

But there is hope — and we can help. 
At the New Mexico Foundation (NMF), our role is to be a trusted vehicle for those who want to support our state and its people. There are many ways to give and get involved. Reach out to us — we would be honored to show you how you can make a meaningful difference for New Mexico, or click on the NMF funds noted below to support our established ongoing efforts.

Justin Kíí Huenemann
President and CEO
New Mexico Foundation

The Sustaining New Mexico Fund awards 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.

The Vecino, Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund was created to address emergency needs of New Mexico communities and organizations. Since 2015 the New Mexico Foundation has granted over $1.1 million out of this fund. Throughout the year, the Vecino, Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund will award program or general operating grants to New Mexico nonprofit organizations experiencing a financial crisis of their own or organizations addressing emergency needs of community members.