Announcing 40th Annual Piñon Awards Honorees

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Honoring excellence in northern New Mexico's nonprofit sector

The Santa Fe Community Foundation is delighted to announce the recipients of its 40th Annual Piñon Awards: Española Humane, Human Rights Alliance, New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, and Resolve. Presented annually since 1987, the Piñon Awards are among northern New Mexico's most prestigious recognitions of nonprofit excellence.

This year's honorees were selected across four award categories from more than 90 nominations of nonprofits serving Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties — a powerful reminder of how deeply these organizations are valued by the communities they serve.

"Milestone anniversaries invite us to look back with gratitude and forward with hope," said Christopher Goett, President & CEO of the Santa Fe Community Foundation."As we celebrate 40 years of the Piñon Awards, we're reminded that the heart of this tradition has always been the extraordinary nonprofit leaders who show up for their communities every day. It's a privilege to recognize this year's honorees and the spirit of service they carry forward.”

The 40th Annual Piñon Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 6, in the La Fonda on the Plaza Ballroom. Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning Tuesday, September 1, through the Santa Fe Community Foundation's website here.

As in previous years, each award recipient will receive a $5,000 general operating grant from the Santa Fe Community Foundation in addition to a professionally produced marketing video and airtime on the Foundation and KSFR’s radio show Community Matters to discuss the impact of their work.

“Our nonprofit leaders and their teams spend countless hours serving others, often behind the scenes and without recognition,” said Kim Walker, Santa Fe Community Foundation board chair. “The Piñon Awards are one of those rare evenings when we can gather under one roof, celebrate their accomplishments, and remind them how deeply their work is appreciated."

Award Categories & Honorees

Courageous Innovation Award
‍Human Rights Alliance

‍The Courageous Innovation Award honors an organization using bold and courageous approaches to create new solutions to persistent challenges. Based in Santa Fe, the Human Rights Alliance (HRA) advances LGBTQ+ inclusion, pride, and acceptance through education, community engagement, and coalition-building. Through its PRIDE Center and advocacy efforts, HRA works to protect civil rights and foster belonging for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans and their allies.

Quiet Inspiration Award
‍Resolve

The Quiet Inspiration Award honors an organization whose hallmark is working quietly and respectfully among a wide range of people in the community while earning the lasting trust of those it serves. Resolve works to grow the number of people in New Mexico who act to prevent violence in their communities. Through education, training, and prevention programs, Resolve empowers individuals to build safer, healthier communities for all.

Resiliency Award
‍New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty

The Resiliency Award honors an organization that strengthens the resilience of people and communities facing systemic barriers, public health challenges, natural disasters, and other hardships. The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty advances economic and social justice through education, advocacy, and litigation. Its work helps expand opportunity and protect the rights of low-income New Mexicans across the state.

Tried & True Award
‍Española Humane

The Tried & True Award recognizes an organization that has served the community for more than a decade with consistent and high-quality programs, services, and opportunities despite changes in the external environment. Española Humane improves the lives of animals in underserved communities through accessible veterinary care, pet adoption, humane education, and innovative community-based programs. Its compassionate approach has become a national model for animal welfare.

The Santa Fe Community Foundation is grateful to have the following corporate partners walking alongside us in celebration of these deserving nonprofits. The financial support of Enterprise Bank & Trust, Chevron, La Fonda on the Plaza, JP Morgan Chase, Christus St. Hospital, and others, is what enables the Santa Fe Community Foundation to provide a memorable and lasting experience for northern New Mexico nonprofits for this very special 40th anniversary.