Updates from the Foundation.
Stories from our initiative areas, staff announcements and news from across the Foundation.
Press Release: Thornburg Foundation Welcomes Natasha Chin as Executive Assistant to the President
Natasha Chin has joined the Thornburg Foundation as Executive Assistant to the President, bringing nearly two decades of experience supporting executives and boards in higher education and philanthropy.
Press Release: New Mexico Water Assessment Compares Six Supply Alternatives
A new Pacific Institute report compares the technical potential and costs of six water supply alternatives to inform New Mexico's water planning and investment decisions, as the state plans for roughly 25% less water over the next 50 years.
Op-Ed: To Improve Education, Stop Counting Hours and Start Investing in Teachers
An op-ed by G. Andrés Romero, introduced by the Foundation's K-12 Education Policy Officer Tim Bedeaux, on how team-based staffing can strengthen New Mexico's teacher workforce.
Northern New Mexico Foundations Join Together to Support Communities Impacted by Frijoles Canyon Fire
The LANL Foundation and Thornburg Foundation are each contributing $10,000 to the Frijoles Fire 2026 Fund, hosted by the Santa Fe Community Foundation, to support communities affected by the Frijoles Canyon Fire.
The Northern New Mexico Youth Fund Paves the Way for Meaningful Student Experiences
The Northern New Mexico Youth Fund, supported by the Thornburg Foundation as part of a 21-partner collaborative, is expanding work-based learning and career pathways for opportunity youth across the region.
Statewide Study Identifies Significant Opportunities to Strengthen Teacher Professional Learning in New Mexico
A new statewide study by the LANL Foundation, co-funded by Thornburg Foundation, finds that ongoing, collaborative professional learning—not one-time workshops—is key to improving teacher retention and student outcomes in New Mexico.
2025 Impact Report: Systems Change in Action
The Thornburg Foundation's inaugural Impact Report details a record year of grantmaking — 187 grants totaling more than $7.1 million — and more than two decades of systems change across New Mexico.
Former Interior Department Counselor Lynn Trujillo to Lead Thornburg Foundation Water Initiative
Lynn Trujillo, former senior counselor to the U.S. secretary of the interior, will lead the Thornburg Foundation's Water Initiative, guiding water governance, resilience and equity efforts across New Mexico.
Elisa Montoya to Lead Pursuing Public Funds Initiative & Serve as General Counsel
The Thornburg Foundation has named Elisa Montoya to lead its Pursuing Public Funds initiative and serve as general counsel, building on efforts to help New Mexico nonprofits secure and stabilize public funding.
Thornburg Foundation Launches New Housing Initiative and Names Natalie Florence as its First Policy Officer
The Thornburg Foundation is launching a new statewide Housing Initiative and has hired Natalie Florence as its first Housing Policy Officer to lead efforts expanding affordable housing supply and reducing homelessness.
SFNM: Aquifers 'Critical Infrastructure' in Groundwater-Reliant New Mexico
A Santa Fe New Mexican article covers the Groundwater Alliance's new report, featuring Thornburg Foundation Senior Water Policy Officer Patrick McCarthy on why aquifers must be treated as critical infrastructure.
New Report on Groundwater Details Data Gaps, Opportunities to Protect Critical Water Supply in New Mexico
The New Mexico Groundwater Alliance's new '360 Groundwater Report' details critical data gaps and outlines policy recommendations, including funding for aquifer mapping and a statewide groundwater management framework, to protect the state's declining water supply.
Study Warns of 'Looming Groundwater Crisis' in New Mexico
A new report warns that New Mexico faces a looming groundwater crisis driven by climate change and unsustainable overuse, threatening agriculture, drinking water, and the state's economic stability.
New Study: Inventory and Evaluation of Farmer and Rancher Training in NM
A new UNM-conducted study inventories and evaluates 13 farmer and rancher training programs across New Mexico, examining their impacts on producers, local food systems and community resilience.
New Study Reveals Water Crisis in Rio Grande Basin, Highlights New Mexico's Vulnerability
A Thornburg-funded study finds that 52% of annual water use across the Rio Grande-Bravo basin is unsustainable, with New Mexico having lost 71% of its reservoir storage since 2002.
Building Climate Resilience From the Ground Up: Thornburg Foundation Partners in Action
Ahead of interim legislative committee meetings, Thornburg's Land and Agriculture Policy Officer showcases grantees advancing regenerative grazing, acequia stewardship and watershed restoration across New Mexico.
Pew Study: Co-Living Buildings in Albuquerque and Santa Fe Could Improve Housing Affordability
A Pew study co-authored by a Thornburg grantee finds that converting vacant offices into co-living microapartments could cut construction costs in half and ease New Mexico's housing shortage.
NYT: In One of the Country's Poorest States, Crippling Budget Cuts Loom
Thornburg highlights a New York Times feature on looming federal budget cuts in New Mexico, pointing back to its own April report on the funding freeze's impact on nonprofits.
Northern New Mexico Pathways to Opportunity Strategy Table Announces Youth Fund Grant Recipients
A coalition of 12 funders pools $1.6 million into the new Northern New Mexico Youth Fund, awarding grants to 16 organizations expanding career pathways for underserved young people.
Foundations Likely to See Increased Requests From New Mexico Nonprofits After Federal Cuts
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that as federal funding disappears, New Mexico nonprofits are turning to private foundations, intensifying competition for limited philanthropic dollars.
Navigating Crosscurrents in New Mexico Water Policy
Thornburg's Senior Water Policy Officer reviews the consequential 2025 legislative session for New Mexico water policy and outlines priorities for 2026-27 as federal support recedes.
Seeding Resilience: How New Mexico's Farmers, Ranchers, and Grantees Are Building a Stronger Future
Thornburg's new Land and Agriculture Policy Officer highlights grantees strengthening regional food systems, regenerative land management and conservation amid federal funding uncertainty.
Pew Applauds New Mexico Legislature and Governor for Major Wildlife and Freshwater Protections
Pew praises three new New Mexico laws that fund wildlife crossings, expand the Strategic Water Reserve, and continue state-level clean water protections.
New Report Details Impacts of Federal Funding Freeze on New Mexico's Nonprofits and Philanthropic Sector
A report commissioned by Thornburg Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation and Anchorum Health Foundation finds that federal funding suspensions put over $1 billion in active grants to New Mexico nonprofits at risk.
It Pays to Pay Legislators: How Common Cause New Mexico Is Working to Make Government Work for Us All
A feature on Common Cause New Mexico's push to establish salaries for state legislators, a reform advocates say would make it possible for a broader range of New Mexicans to serve in the Legislature.
Op-Ed: Water Crisis Demands Immediate Action From Lawmakers
Four water leaders co-write an op-ed arguing that New Mexico's lawmakers have a rare window to confront the state's escalating water crisis head-on.
25 Years of Support for Systemic Change
Thornburg Foundation's Executive Director Allan Oliver and Chairman Garrett Thornburg spoke with The Santa Fe New Mexican about the foundation's first 25 years and its future direction.
Restrictive Regulations Fuel New Mexico's Housing Shortage
A Pew Charitable Trusts analysis found that restrictive zoning and building regulations are fueling New Mexico's housing shortage, which has driven an 87% rise in homelessness over the past seven years.
Thornburg Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Impact in New Mexico
Marking its 25th anniversary, Thornburg Foundation celebrated a quarter century of grantmaking that has driven major policy wins in early-childhood education, agriculture, water and government reform across New Mexico.
Thornburg Foundation Co-Author Article Regarding Rio Grande Basin Water Conservation
Thornburg Foundation staff contributed to a call to action for a public-private partnership to expand water conservation and watershed restoration efforts across the Rio Grande Basin.
Announcing the Launch of Press Forward New Mexico
Thornburg Foundation and the New Mexico Local News Fund are co-leading Press Forward New Mexico, a coalition of local funders aiming to raise $3 million over five years to revitalize local journalism across the state.
New Mexico Water Impact Report Receives Top National Honor
A New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources report on climate change's impact on the state's water resources won the Geological Society of America's John C. Frye Memorial Award, with Thornburg Foundation's water policy officer among those who nominated it.
ConnectED Report Identifies Emerging Strategies for Effective Career Pathways in Rural NM
A new ConnectED report outlines strategies for building high-quality college and career pathways in New Mexico's rural schools, with attention to the needs of Native American and Hispanic students.
New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness Announce Two Newly Created Positions for Achieving Functional Zero Homelessness
A three-year, $593,400 philanthropic partnership is funding two new staff positions at the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness aimed at achieving functional zero homelessness in Santa Fe County by 2026.
Water Desk Supports Journalism in New Mexico and Rio Grande Basin
The Water Desk announced nine journalism grants, funded in part by the Thornburg Foundation, to support reporting on water issues in New Mexico and the Rio Grande Basin.
Congratulations to the 2023 Jeff Harnar Award Winners!
UNM School of Architecture + Planning and Thornburg Foundation announced the winners of the 2023 Jeff Harnar Awards, including the debut of a new Social & Environmental Justice Award category.
Six Area Districts & Charter Schools Welcome 63 New Teachers from Residency Program
63 new teachers completed the UNM District Partner Teacher Residency program, with most committing to three years of service in Albuquerque and other New Mexico districts.
UNM School of Architecture + Planning Presents Annual Jeff Harnar Awards Friday, April 14
UNM's School of Architecture + Planning previewed its 2023 Jeff Harnar Awards ceremony, featuring a lecture by architect Ted Flato and a jury roundtable panel discussion.
Santa Fe's Affordable Housing Challenge and the S3 Response
The Santa Fe Community Foundation outlines how the S3 Santa Fe Housing Initiative, a partnership that includes Thornburg Foundation, is tackling the region's affordable housing shortage and homelessness risk.
Community Convening: Reducing Housing Insecurity in Santa Fe
Local policymakers and philanthropic leaders gathered in Santa Fe for a luncheon discussion with Community Solutions CEO Rosanne Haggerty on reducing housing insecurity in the city.
Push for Lawmaker Pay Coming to Santa Fe
New Mexico In Depth examines the renewed push to ask voters to approve paying state lawmakers a salary, an idea polling shows most New Mexicans now support.
Jarel LaPan Hill Joins Thornburg Foundation as Good Government Reform Policy Officer
Thornburg Foundation welcomes Jarel LaPan Hill, former Santa Fe city manager and Obama administration official, as its new Good Government Reform Policy Officer to lead a five-year strategy and $1 million annual grant-making portfolio.
Albuquerque Chamber Report Backs Overhaul of Principal Preparation, Support
A report commissioned by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, covered by New Mexico Education, calls for a statewide overhaul of how New Mexico trains, licenses, pays and supports school principals.
Grantee Spotlight: ECCOE Speaker Series
A free virtual speaker series running September 2022 through May 2023 brings national and New Mexico experts together to advance equity and social justice in early childhood teacher preparation.
Third-Party Evaluation Confirms Effectiveness of Albuquerque Teacher Residency Partnership
An independent evaluation by the National Center for Teacher Residencies finds the Albuquerque Teacher Residency Partnership is successfully preparing a diverse pipeline of teachers for high-needs New Mexico schools.
Thornburg Foundation Announces Additional Round of Grants for Local Food & Agriculture
Thornburg Foundation announces $115,000 in new grants to help New Mexico nonprofits pursue federal funding for water and agriculture restoration and conservation work amid historic drought and wildfire.
Census Bureau Verifies Complete Count for New Mexico in 2020 Census
New U.S. Census Bureau data confirms New Mexico achieved the most accurate count of any state in the 2020 Census, a result credited to the state's Complete Count Commission and the philanthropy-backed NM Counts 2020 coalition.
Northern New Mexico Foundations Give Nearly $1M to Support Teacher Recruitment
Thornburg Foundation joins Thoma Foundation and the LANL Foundation in providing nearly $1 million to bring Golden Apple Scholars, a teacher pipeline program, to New Mexico amid a statewide teacher shortage.
Deal Finalized to Convert Lamplighter Inn to Affordable Housing
The sale of the Lamplighter Inn on Cerrillos Road has closed, clearing the way for renovation into 58 units of affordable and supportive housing for Santa Fe residents.
Supreme Court Denies Review in Case Challenging Santa Fe, New Mexico Political Spending Disclosure Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a challenge to Santa Fe's campaign spending disclosure law, a win for transparency defended by grantee Campaign Legal Center and the City of Santa Fe.
Thornburg Foundation Announces New Grants for Local Food & Agriculture Nonprofits Seeking Federal Aid
Thornburg Foundation issues its first round of Pursuing Federal Funds grants, giving $50,000 to four New Mexico food and agriculture nonprofits to help them access an estimated $128 million in federal funding.
Thornburg Foundation in the News: Funder Collaboration at Blackbaud
An sgENGAGE article by Andy Carroll highlights how the Thornburg Foundation has approached coalition-building with other funders across New Mexico.
Thornburg Foundation Investment in The Bridge of Southern New Mexico Helps Move More Students toward College Completion
A $70,000 grant funds a 'blended advising' model to help Doña Ana County Dual Credit students choose courses that actually accelerate college completion.
New Survey Shows That New Mexicans Are Deeply Concerned About the Future of Water
A new survey commissioned by the Water Foundation and Thornburg Foundation found that a large majority of New Mexico voters, across the political spectrum, are worried about the state's water future and support increased investment in water infrastructure and management.
Dave Nezzie Joins Thornburg Foundation as Food and Agriculture Policy Officer
Thornburg Foundation announced Dave Nezzie has joined the organization as Food and Agriculture Policy Officer, where he will lead a multi-year grantmaking portfolio focused on modernizing food and agriculture policy in New Mexico.
Patrick McCarthy Joins Thornburg Foundation as Water Policy Officer
Thornburg Foundation announced Patrick McCarthy will lead its new Water Initiative, focused on policy reforms and collaborative water management across New Mexico, including support for Tribal and Pueblo water needs.
NMSU Facilitates Aligning AgriFuture Project for Los Ranchos Community
A Thornburg Foundation-funded collaboration with NMSU's Engineering New Mexico Resource Network helped Los Ranchos village leaders and community members develop new urban agriculture initiatives, from school garden programs to shared farm equipment agreements.
Governor's Virus Relief Fund Receives $250,000 Donation
The Thornburg Foundation donated $250,000 to New Mexico's COVID-19 Emergency Match Fund, a state program that leverages private gifts with federal FEMA matching funds to support food and health relief statewide.
New Mexico Elections Featured in National Analysis of Ranked Choice Voting
A national analysis from the University of Virginia's Center for Politics cited New Mexico's use of ranked-choice voting as part of a broader look at the method's growing adoption in 2020 elections.
New Mexico Governor Launches COVID-19 Emergency Match Fund for Hunger and Health Relief
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched a COVID-19 emergency matching fund for hunger and health relief, kickstarted by a $250,000 grant from Thornburg Foundation that could unlock up to $1 million in combined state and federal funding.
Thornburg Foundation Policy Officer Dr. Michael Weinberg and Grantee United Way of Santa Fe President Katherine Freeman Recognized by Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce for Excellence in Education
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce honored Thornburg Foundation Policy Officer Dr. Michael Weinberg and United Way of Santa Fe President Katherine Freeman with 'Excellence in Education' awards for their leadership in creating New Mexico's Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
For Santa Fe Man, Climbing Denali Was 'A Spiritual Experience'
The Albuquerque Journal profiled Thornburg Foundation Executive Director Allan Oliver's experience summiting Denali, North America's tallest peak, calling it a personally transformative climb.
High Court's Decision on Census May Spur More Participation
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the U.S. Supreme Court's block on a citizenship question could boost New Mexican participation in the 2020 census.
Donation to United Way of Santa Fe
The Thornburg Foundation gave $100,000 to United Way of Santa Fe County's capital campaign for a new prekindergarten early learning center at Kaune Elementary.
Our View: Spend More Dollars on Kids
A Santa Fe New Mexican editorial highlighted Think New Mexico's policy research and its track record of prompting reforms like all-day kindergarten and Public Regulation Commission changes.
Thornburg Foundation Partners with USDA, La Montañita Co-op to Strengthen Local Food Supply Chains
The Thornburg Foundation joined the USDA and other philanthropic partners in a national initiative to strengthen local food supply chains, including efforts involving La Montañita Co-op in New Mexico.
A Shared Philosophy for Success
Writing in Pew's Trust magazine, editor Daniel LeDuc explored the decade-long partnership between the Thornburg Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, built around a shared commitment to nonpartisan, research-based policy work in New Mexico.
Defection From Wall Street: Thornburg Investment Management
A profile piece recounts how Garrett Thornburg, founder of the for-profit Thornburg Investment Management (a separate entity from the Thornburg Foundation), left Wall Street for Santa Fe more than three decades ago to build his investment firm.
Childcare Exchange Recognizes Dr. Michael Weinberg as an Exceptional Emerging Leader
Child Care Exchange magazine named Thornburg Foundation's Dr. Michael Weinberg one of its 2015 Exceptional Emerging Leaders in early childhood education.
Allan Oliver Named Executive Director at Thornburg Foundation
Thornburg Foundation announced Allan Oliver, former CEO of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce, as its new executive director, effective March 25, 2013.