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Piñon Awards
Honoring excellence in the nonprofit sector
Since 1987, the Santa Fe Community Foundation has selected and awarded the Piñon Awards to local nonprofit organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the community. First held in a board member’s living room, the Piñon Awards ceremony has become a fall tradition filling the La Fonda ballroom with awardees, supporters, and friends of the Foundation.
Timeline
2022 Piñon Awards
Guidelines
Eligibility guidelines
Organizations and individuals may be nominated by a board member, funder, past Piñon Award recipient, or any member of the community. Staff from eligible nonprofits may also nominate their organization.
Winning nonprofits:
- have operated for at least three years in northern New Mexico;
- are a 501(c)(3) or tribal entity;
- have a proven track record;
- serve the Foundation’s geographic area of service (Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties); and
- their work is aligned with one or more of the Foundation’s funding priorities: Arts & Culture, Animal Welfare, Civic & Economic Opportunities, Education, Environment, and Health & Wellbeing.
Award categories
Courageous Innovation Award
An organization that is building off a solid base of knowledge; creating a new approach to solving a persistent problem in the community. Is using a bold and courageous approach, based on sound theory, to create solutions with broad, lasting impact that don’t currently exist in our region.
Quiet Inspiration Award
An organization whose hallmark it is to work quietly and respectfully among a wide range of people in the community. Has to be an organization that, despite its non-assuming presence in the community, has the full, long-term support of its clients and constituents.
Tried & True Award
An organization that provides high quality, much needed services and opportunities to the community. Has to have been in the community for more than ten years, be known for consistent high-quality programming, and have relevance in its core purpose despite changes in the external environment.
Visionary Award
An organization that is making measurable progress toward a well-articulated and achievable vision for what is to come. Has to be an organization that sees the ultimate outcome of their work being achieved far beyond the present, can anticipate the unmet needs of future generations, and has the stamina and patience to develop a path to success.
Philanthropic Leader Award
An individual, family, or family foundation with a proven record of exceptional financial generosity and/or volunteer leadership who has 1. demonstrated extraordinary civic and charitable responsibility, 2. whose generosity inspires other to philanthropic action, and 3. demonstrated a long-term commitment to northern New Mexico communities.
2022 winners
And this year's awards go to...
NDI New Mexico
Winner of the Courageous Innovation Award, which honors an organization that uses a bold approach to solve a persistent problem in the community.
Gerard’s House
Winner of the Quiet Inspiration Award, which honors an organization that provides consistent high-quality services and opportunities despite changes in the external environment.
The Food Depot
Winner of the Tried and True Award, which honors an organization whose hallmark it is to work quietly and respectfully among a wide range of people in the community.
STEM Santa Fe
Winner of the Visionary Award, which honors an organization that is making measurable progress toward a well-articulated and achievable vision for what is to come.
The Sky Center
Winner of the Resiliency Award, which honors an organization that is building the resilience of those most vulnerable to emergencies, including efforts to respond to natural disasters, public health crises, and/or systemic injustices.
Tom Starke
Winner of the Philanthropic Leader Award, which honors an individual, family, or family foundation with a proven record of financial generosity and/or volunteer leadership.

FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who will be considered for the organization award categories?
Who will be considered for the Philanthropic Leader award?
Who may do the nominating?
How do I send in a nomination?
When are nominations due?
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Featured story
2022 Piñon Awards: Event Recap
On Thursday, October 6, the Santa Fe Community Foundation presented its Piñon Awards, which honor northern New Mexico's vital nonprofit sector. Browse photos and videos from the event.
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