Fall Community Grants

Arts & Culture

RESULT: Arts and Culture is celebrated and reflected in the community

‍We will support requests from organizations that work to improve:

• Sense of community – residents feeling connected to the community and each other
• Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds
• Diverse participation in art and cultural community programs and events
• Preservation and strengthening of cultural and historical heritage, traditions, and a creative economy

Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address: 

• Lifting up and preserving cultural and historical heritage, tradition, and assets of the region;
• Using art as a bridge to communicate across cultures and languages and build transformational relationships to advance equity;
• Using art, culture, language, and community stories to shift narratives, shape public conversations, and influence policy;
• Improving access to arts and cultural programs to benefit youth and families who otherwise would not have the opportunities; and/or
• Systems change including public policy, civic engagement, community organizing or public information to preserve and strengthen the arts and cultural segment of the creative economy locally.

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Animal Welfare

RESULT: Domestic and wild animals are protected and cared for.

We will support requests from organizations that work to improve:

1.   Population Control

• Free or low-cost spay/neuter clinics
• Trap/neuter/release programs
• Transportation for stray dogs/cats from overcrowded shelters to areas where they are more likely to be adopted
• Free or low-cost spay/neuter clinics

2.   Cruelty Prevention

• Humane education/public information
• Rescue/adoption programs
• Support for local and/or statewide trapping ban

3.   Well-being

• Training/socializing animals with goal of re-homing
• Providing emergency and preventive care
• Providing food and other supplies for pets of low-income owners

4.   Service Animal Support for the Vulnerable

• Providing assistance for individuals with physically disabilities
• Support for emotional/trauma-informed cared

5.   Reintroduction/conservation of native New Mexico species

• Education programs about native New Mexico species
• Reintroduction programs

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Civic &  Economic Opportunities

RESULT: Community is engaged and involved in local issues.

We will support requests from organizations that work to improve:

• Workforce development/job creation
• Open government
• Social and economic justice

Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address:

• Improving access to employment opportunities and economic advancement by low-income and other disadvantaged community members
• Providing career counseling, job training, and other programs to low wage earners to advance their skills
• Financial literacy training
• Increasing community involvement in activities that will influence public policy to strengthen communities
• Support public policy, civic engagement, community organizing or public information to improve and strengthen local economy

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Education

RESULT: All children and youth succeed in education prepared for a career.

We will support requests from organizations that work to improve:

• School readiness
• Reading and/or math proficiency
• College and career path accessibility
• Opportunity youth* engagement
  (*Youth ages 14-29 struggling with school, not in school, and/or not working)
• Education ecosystem through policy advocacy

Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address:

• Integrated student and family supports for at risk/vulnerable populations with strong place-based solutions supported by network of caring and appropriately trained adult and peer relationship
• Access to quality, affordable early childhood education and out-of-school (after school and summer) opportunities
• Targeted interventions to close the academic achievement gaps across key milestones from birth to career
• Work-based learning and career technical education through real life and personally relevant education including career exploration and alternative pathway opportunities
• Educator/provider/family training & support so they can be strong advocates and supporters for children/students’ success – especially in high need areas

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Environment

RESULT: All communities have equitable access to our earth’s critical resources:  land, water, air and food for a sustainable and healthy ecosystem.

We will support requests that address climate change through efforts to:

• Protect or improve watershed and water quality
• Preserve open space
• Remediate land
• Energy from renewable sources
• Environmental justice
• Create sustainable food production systems

Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address:

• Training and development of diverse food and farming enterprises and distribution infrastructure for sustainable food economy that represent a rich and diverse farming tradition.
• Fostering connection and collaboration among multi-sector stakeholders for environmental advocacy and community development that support equitable access and stewardship of land, air, water and ecosystem for future generations.
• Promotion of renewable energy sources through coordinated efforts to increase consumption, production, workforce training, enterprise development and investment.
• Ensuring the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

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