By David W. Chen Photographs by Meridith Kohut

Federal budget cuts are hitting New Mexico hard, threatening critical services and programs across the state. A recent New York Times article highlights how these reductions could impact everything from education to infrastructure, leaving local leaders scrambling to fill the gaps. Thornburg Foundation’s survey and report, released in April, “Impact of Federal Funding Freeze on NM Philanthropic Sector,” provided statistics and insights about the real impact of the budget cuts to our nonprofit partners. The report was commissioned alongside Anchorum Health Foundation and Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Read the NYT Article

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Photo credit: NM Community Trust
Press release: Stephanie Montoya Lobaugh | stephaniem@lanlfoundation.org

ESPAÑOLA, NM — The Northern New Mexico Pathways to Opportunity Strategy Table proudly announces the inaugural round of Youth Fund grant recipients, awarding over $1.4 million to 16 regional organizations committed to expanding career pathways for underserved young people. The Northern New Mexico Youth Fund, launched earlier this year, is the first pooled fund of its kind in the region, combining philanthropic, tribal, state, and federal resources to support equity-driven Career Technical Education (CTE) and Work-Based Learning (WBL) programs for young people ages 13 to 29. These programs are designed to help underserved young people – especially Opportunity Youth, Native American youth, young parents, and others facing systemic barriers – gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed.

The Youth Fund is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Northern New Mexico Pathways to Opportunity Strategy Table, a coalition of 17 local, regional, and national partners coordinated by the LANL Foundation. Contributions from 12 funding partners now total $1.6 million, including approximately $1.1 million in philanthropic investments and $500,000 from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, which are administered by the New Mexico Community Trust.  Through a participatory grantmaking process that engaged underserved youth, funders, and community leaders, the Youth Fund selected 15 CTE/WBL projects and one regional resource hub from a highly competitive pool of 35 proposals submitted by nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, and youth-serving organizations from across Northern New Mexico.

“The launch of the Northern New Mexico Youth Fund is the realization of a dream many years in the making. It’s incredible to see so many like-minded partners come together to align not just funding, but a shared vision for investing in our region’s most valuable resource – our young people – and the organizations that support them. This is more than a grant cycle; it’s the beginning of long-term, transformational work. We are excited to see the impact these grantees will have and to continue building the momentum to grow both the number of partners and the financial support for the Youth Fund in the years to come.”   – Alvin Warren, Vice President of Policy and Impact for the LANL Foundation

“At NMCT, we believe that when philanthropy centers equity and collaboration, transformative change becomes possible. The Youth Fund represents a powerful example of what it looks like when communities, funders, and young people co-create solutions. We’re proud to be part of this growing movement to invest in youth potential, cultural strengths, and long-term opportunity across Northern New Mexico.” 
– Marissa Magallanez, COO New Mexico Community Trust

In addition to the programmatic grants, United Way of Northern New Mexico has been selected to serve as the sole regional resource hub, receiving a $100,000 grant to provide technical assistance, organize shared learning opportunities, and deliver capacity-building support for all grantees. The hub will help organizations implement programs effectively, strengthen collaboration, and secure additional public funding.

“We’re beyond thrilled to receive this award—and even more energized about what’s ahead! As the Northern New Mexico Youth Fund Resource Hub, United Way of Northern New Mexico is honored to uplift and empower our incredible grantees who are leading the way in work-based learning and career technical education. Together, we’re building a movement rooted in collaboration, equity, and real opportunities for youth and young adults across our region,” said Cindy Padilla, CEO.

2024 Northern New Mexico Youth Fund Grant Recipients

• Assistance Dogs of the West – $81,660 for an expanded student trainer work-based learning program.

• College and Career Plaza – $75,000 to connect high school students to paid, hands-on learning experiences.

• Forest Stewards Guild – $60,000 for the Forest Stewards Youth Corps wildland fire and forestry career program.

• Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship – $100,000 for the New Mexico Climate Justice Leadership Development Program focused on Indigenous youth.

• Moving Arts Española – $100,000 to expand Bowie’s Backstage, a career launchpad in culinary arts, agriculture, and digital media.

• Northern Youth Project – $100,000 for peer mentorship and hands-on internships rooted in traditional agriculture and community leadership.

• Peñasco Independent Schools – $81,600 to develop a new on-site work-based learning program.

• Pojoaque Valley School District – $75,000 to expand CTE offerings in the construction trades.

• Pueblo of Santa Ana Tamaya Wellness Center – $100,000 for the Tamaya Elite Sports, Education, and Leadership Program focused on esports, digital media production, coding, and personal development.

• River Source – $90,000 to provide green career training focused on watershed restoration and climate resilience.

• Rocky Mountain Youth Corps – $100,000 for an individual placement program connecting youth to careers in land management and public service.

• Santa Fe Dreamers Project – $60,000 for a paralegal internship program that expands immigration legal services.

• Santo Domingo Pueblo – $100,000 for the Skills for Success program, focused on culturally relevant vocational training in traditional arts.

• Trees, Water & People – $85,000 to enhance land management employment skills for Native American youth.
  
• YouthWorks – $100,000 for paid, hands-on job training in construction, culinary, and other fields focused on Opportunity Youth.
  
  
  
  The Northern New Mexico Youth Fund is supported by a diverse group of contributors, including the Anchorum Health Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, The Davis New Mexico Scholarship, The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, The LANL Foundation, The Taos Community Foundation, The Thornburg Foundation, TRIAD National Security, United Way of North Central New Mexico, and The W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
  
  
  
  Press Release/Contact:
  
  Stephanie Montoya Lobaugh
  Communications Director
  stephaniem@lanlfoundation.org
  (505) 500-5730
  

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By Margaret O’Hara mohara@sfnewmexican.com
 Jun 7, 2025 Updated Jun 9, 2025

Bob Wolf, a volunteer at The Food Depot, prepares bags of groceries during a food distribution effort last week. Jill Dixon, the group’s executive director, said recent cuts and changes to federal food programs left a $200,000 gap in the nonprofit’s planning budget.

Read the full article on the Santa Fe New Mexican

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Santa Fe, NM — A newly published report, “Impact of Federal Funding Changes on New Mexico’s Philanthropic Sector,” commissioned by the Thornburg Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation, and Anchorum Health Foundation, examines the effects of recent suspensions in federal funding on New Mexico’s nonprofit sector. Prepared by The Grant Plant Inc., the nonpartisan report highlights how these changes are impacting the state’s communities, particularly those most reliant on federal support, and explores ways philanthropy and policymakers can help organizations adapt. 

Impact of Federal Funding Changes on New Mexico’s Philanthropic Sector

[Download the Report]

The Grant Plant’s research shows that 37% of nonprofits in New Mexico rely on government grants—tying the state for the 6th highest rate in the nation. Given New Mexico’s disproportionately high per capita federal grant awards and the critical role nonprofits play in supporting rural, tribal, and immigrant communities, the state confronts a significant challenge in replacing this funding.

Included in the report is a 2025 survey of grantees across the three commissioning foundations. Over 200 respondents revealed a striking trend: 20% of organizations depend on federal grants for at least half of their funding, with youth and family services, housing, and environmental groups among the most reliant sectors. An additional pressing concern for all recipients is the disbursement of already obligated funds – in New Mexico, just 54% of committed federal funding for active awards has been paid out, leaving 46% in limbo.

Changes in federal funding are creating uncertainty for New Mexico’s nonprofits, making philanthropy’s role increasingly important. However, the research estimates that private foundations nationwide would need to increase giving by 282% to fully replace government grant funding for nonprofits.

“This report makes clear what many in New Mexico’s nonprofit sector already know—federal funding isn’t just a line item, it’s a critical investment into our communities,” said Allan Oliver, Thornburg Foundation President. “Shifts in federal funding will impact New Mexicans by affecting education programs, homelessness prevention, water infrastructure projects, food and farming programs and direct services to our communities. A coordinated, targeted approach by philanthropy, non-profits, and government is the best way to meet the moment.”

Christopher Goett, MSW, President & CEO of the Santa Fe Community Foundation, echoed the importance of the research, “In the face of shifting federal support, no single effort will meet the scale or complexity of what our communities are up against. This report is a call to work together across sectors, with urgency and compassion, to ensure New Mexicans and the nonprofits that serve them remain supported, resilient, and hopeful.”

The three foundations sponsored the report to examine the full impact of the federal funding freeze, assess nonprofit adaptations, and explore responses from philanthropy and policymakers. The data-driven research aims to inform decisions, guide investments, and target support for essential statewide services.

“It is more important than ever that we come together to support the nonprofits that serve our communities,” said Jerry Jones, President and CEO of Anchorum Health Foundation. “This report is a call to action for all of us—policymakers, funders, and local leaders. We must work collaboratively to ensure these vital organizations have the resources they need to continue serving New Mexicans.”

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Founded in 1999, Thornburg Foundation is a family foundation based in Santa Fe that seeks to advance systems change that serves the public good. The Foundation uses an evidence-based strategic approach to make grants to nonprofits focused on K-12 Education, Water, Land and Agriculture, Good Government, and Homelessness. For more information on Thornburg Foundation’s policy funding, visit thornburgfoundation.org

Anchorum Health Foundation is dedicated to improving the conditions that have the greatest influence on the health and people in our region. We are committing our resources to strengthening community-based partners tackling critical local issues. For more information, visit anchorum.org

Since 1981, the Santa Fe Community Foundation has been dedicated to inspiring philanthropic generosity, strengthening nonprofits, and fostering positive change to build a more vibrant, healthy, and resilient region. Each year, we are proud to fund and collaborate with hundreds of local nonprofits, connect thousands of generous donors to giving opportunities, and support causes that make northern New Mexico a more equitable place for all. Learn more at santafecf.org

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Senate Chamber of the New Mexico state capitol building in Santa Fe, NM. (Getty Images)

By Sarah Graham

In 1912, when New Mexico lawmakers gathered for the state’s first legislative session, they likely knew nothing about CO2 emissions, private-equity investments in housing, or STEM education initiatives. 

It was a simpler time with simpler problems to solve. Legislators often worked as lawyers, farmers, or ranchers, pausing their work for 30 or 60 days every winter to tend to the state’s business. Most were wealthy property owners. All were men. And, per the state’s newly inked Constitution, none received a salary. 

Much has changed since those early days of New Mexico statehood. (This year, for the first time, a majority of the Legislature’s elected members are women.) But a few Constitutional relics remain. Among them: Unsalaried legislators. 

On the surface, this policy seems like a win for taxpayers. If lawmakers are willing to forgo payment while working hard for the public, the state’s coffers benefit. But for a growing coalition of government-reform advocates, denying lawmakers a salary prevents New Mexico from achieving a demographically diverse legislative body whose members more closely resemble the state’s residents and represent their interests.   

“A lot has changed since 1912,” says Molly Swank, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, a voting rights group. “Life is more complex, and there are a million different issues these folks are supposed to have a basic understanding of. By paying legislators salaries, we’re hoping to recognize and validate the work they do for our communities while building more representation into the Legislature, too.” 

‘It Feels Like This is the Year’ 

The Thornburg Foundation has supported Common Cause and several of its partner organizations for the past 12 years in an effort to advance the foundation’s government-reform goal of a well-functioning, transparent and fair government that benefits all New Mexicans. 

Common Cause and its partners had a big year in 2024, with the passage of a law allowing legislators to hire a full-time staff member. This year, Swank says Common Cause is on the brink of another big policy win.  

“Our polling suggests that 70 percent of New Mexicans say they support salaries for legislators — especially when they understand that this is a way to increase diversity, advance equal representation, and provide more opportunity for folks to run for office,” she says. “It feels like this is the year.” 

The organization and its partners are advancing legislation that would put a Constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2026. If voters affirm it, the amendment would establish an independent commission to set legislators’ salaries. 

New Mexico is one of only two states in the nation that does not pay its lawmakers a salary. Swank argues this discourages most people from running for office. Lawmakers either have to be “rich, retired, or extremely resourceful,” she says, to fit the one- to two-month legislative sessions into their calendars and budgets each year. 

Next Up: The Length of Session 

Once salaries are established, Swank says she and her team will turn to another quirk of the New Mexico Legislature — the length of the legislative session. Depending on the year, the session runs either 30 or 60 calendar days, one of the shortest in the nation. 

Swank is originally from Wisconsin, where legislative sessions have no mandated time limits. After moving to New Mexico in 2020, she says she found it difficult to access legislators. 

“In Wisconsin, you could make an appointment and talk to your legislator, or they’d have office hours. Here, because the sessions are so short, and they’re so crunched for time, they’re either in committee or on the floor, and it’s harder to have conversations with them.” 

During New Mexico’s 30-day session, which takes place in even years, legislators can only act on budgetary matters and the governor’s priority bills. Still, lawmakers disagree on how long the session should be. 

“We’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘I don’t want to be up here for 60 days every year. It’s hard to be away from my family for that long,’” she says. “But then we also hear, ‘Thirty days is not long enough to do anything.’” 

But that’s a discussion for another day. Until then, Common Cause will continue its push to make the New Mexico government work for all of its people. To learn more about Common Cause, legislator salaries, and government reform in New Mexico, visit modernnm.org. 

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Thornburg Foundation, New Mexico Local News Fund will co-lead the initiative with goal of raising $3M over five years.

February 21, 2024 – Press Forward New Mexico, a collaborative of local funders, has launched with the goal of catalyzing a local news renaissance in New Mexico that will reshape the local news landscape and re-center local journalism as a force for community cohesion, civic participation, and government accountability. The group’s aim is to raise $3 million over five years from local foundations and major donors, and potentially have that matched by the national Press Forward initiative. Press Forward NM is co-led by the Thornburg Foundation and the New Mexico Local News Fund at the Santa Fe Community Foundation. The Local News Fund has created a private-public partnership for local news with the support of the State Legislature.

Launched in 2023 by a coalition of 22 national funders and donors, Press Forward has a goal of raising unprecedented resources to revitalize local news, spur proven models and solutions to address the local news crisis, and close longstanding inequities in journalism coverage and practice. The national initiative has a commitment from funders to spend more than $500 million over five years to support local news.

In December, Press Forward announced a network of local chapters: affiliates of the national initiative that are anchored and driven by local funders. Today, funding leaders in New Mexico, Colorado, New Jersey, North Carolina, Mississippi, Wyoming, and Texas join the expanding network.

“The Thornburg Foundation strongly believes in the power of local journalism and its power to inform and educate the public, increase government accountability, and strengthen our democracy, said Allan Oliver, Executive Director of Thornburg Foundation. “We are excited to participate in a coalition of New Mexico funders in Press Forward, which will help bring national investment and help strengthen trusted news in communities around our state.”

“We are thrilled to help lead the new coalition of New Mexico funders in Press Forward,” said Allan Oliver, executive director of Thornburg Foundation. “We are a big believer in the power of local journalism to be a key watchdog of the government, helping keep elected officials honest and our democracy stronger. Press Forward is a powerful, collaborative way for us to help bring national dollars to the Land of Enchantment and strengthen trusted news in communities around the state.”

Press Forward New Mexico will offer philanthropic leaders, civic-minded individuals, and regional foundations the opportunity to pool their dollars to support a robust network of independent news outlets that are serving the information needs of New Mexico’s diverse communities. Press Forward philanthropic partners include the Albuquerque Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, McCune Charitable Foundation, New Mexico Foundation and Santa Fe Community Foundation.

The post Announcing the launch of Press Forward New Mexico! appeared first on Thornburg Foundation.

“Good Government Reform has been a long-standing focus of the Foundation’s grantmaking, and we couldn’t be happier that Jarel is joining the team to lead this initiative,” said Allan Oliver, Executive Director of Thornburg Foundation. “Both her understanding of the local landscape in New Mexico and her state and national experience in government makes her perfectly suited to implement our renewed and updated five-year strategy.” 

Jarel most recently served as the City Manager for the City of Santa Fe, a tenure shaped by COVID-19 and all its challenges and opportunities. In that role, she oversaw the entirety of city operations with a focus on transforming the organization into a better-managed and efficient operation. Prior to that, she served in the Obama Administration for both terms as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In that role she developed a keen understanding of the nature of internal organizational management especially as it relates to developing programs and initiatives, setting priorities to achieve goals, fulfilling the core mission and setting a vision rooted in change management principles.

“I’m excited to join the Thornburg Foundation as it supports organizations who are striving to make our democracy stronger and more effective here in New Mexico, ” said Jarel LaPan Hill, the Foundation’s Good Government Reform Policy Officer. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in public service to the philanthropic sector, ensuring that we’re building capacity and driving policy reforms to create meaningful and lasting change.” 

For the past nine years, the Thornburg Foundation has made grants in Good Government Reform by supporting organizations that work in areas like ethics and lobbying reform, campaign financing, redistricting efforts, and ethical journalism. This is one of the Foundation’s five key strategic initiatives. The Foundation renewed its commitment to Good Government Reform by authorizing a new five-year strategy in September 2022. 

Jarel has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and, most recently, completed the Master in Public Leadership program from the University of Texas at Austin which is focused on leadership development for nonprofit and public professional leaders. Jarel grew up in Santa Fe and is a proud graduate of the Santa Fe Public schools.

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For more information, contact Baylee Rawson, DFA Public Information Officer, baylee.rawson1@state.nm.us

The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration serves New Mexico through fiscal management support for state agencies, local governments, and community-based programs to achieve responsible and quality fiscal services for all New Mexicans.

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As leaders in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, we are writing to offer our assistance and partnership as you embark on implementing these critical resources to ensure that those in most need can recover. We are privileged and fortunate to work with many nonprofit and community leaders who work tirelessly and directly with families and children throughout New Mexico. Their stories tell of their tremendous hardships, struggles, and severe deficits in our state. As we work to respond to communities during this unprecedented time, we stand respectfully ready to work with local, regional, Tribal, and state leaders.

It is our hope that the following principles and commitments will serve as a guide for the many organizations, agencies, and leaders instrumental in the distribution of billions of federal dollars and help promote effective public-private partnerships. We have developed these guiding principles out of strong love for our people, cultures, communities, and children. If we come together as one, the opportunity before us will be realized in a strong future for ALL.

Principles and Commitments.

1. Put Children and Families First. Be intentional about investing in children and families, regardless of the configuration of those families. Create systems, infrastructure, processes, and institutions that build communities centered on children and families.


2. Ensure Equity and Inclusion. Address the disparities that were exacerbated by the pandemic. Focus on Native, immigrant, rural, and low-income communities that are being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Leverage this opportunity to address historical inequities and strengthen systems to reimagine and uphold transformative change, and long-term investments in education, health, and economy.


3. Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination. This federal funding opportunity provides the largest single infusion of federal funding into Indian Country in the history of the United States. At the same time, the State of New Mexico has an obligation to provide resources to its Native American citizens, both on and off tribal lands. Ensure full, prior, and informed collaboration with and consent by Tribal Nations that honors the sovereignty and self-determination of the 23 Native Nations within the State of New Mexico. This funding opportunity presents an unprecedented opportunity for Tribal Nations to use their rights of sovereignty and self-government to strengthen their communities.


4. Build Systemic Change. The pandemic revealed deep systemic inequities – ranging from access to broadband to health inequities to food insecurity. Build equitable policies and systems that address root causes and re-design systems to dismantle centuries of racial, ethnic, gender, and economic inequities and other barriers long experienced by many New Mexicans.


5. Provide Transparency, Accessibility, and Accountability. Transparency helps with coordination and collaboration and ultimately leads to greater impact. Ensure investments and processes are open and transparent. Ensure processes are streamlined and barriers removed for individuals, nonprofits, businesses, schools, tribes, and local agencies. Develop systems that provide accountability on how funds are spent.


6. Be Community Driven. Develop a process to engage and listen to diverse communities throughout the state. Center community priorities (vs leadership’s priorities), emphasizing local decision-making.


7. Collaborate and Coordinate. Effective coordination will ensure that funds are leveraged for the utmost short- and long-term effect and flow to Tribal Nations, the state, counties, cities, and school districts. Coordinate within your circle of influence AND outside your circle of influence. Reach out to potential partners for greater impact, particularly nonprofit organizations in your community.


8. Think Bold and Think Big. It is time to invest in real change. This is an opportunity to reimagine our neighborhoods, cities, counties, and state. Be creative and intentional to use funds for robust impact – not business as usual. Bring together partners to ensure funds are invested in substantive change. We are grateful for your service to our community and our state. We recognize that this unprecedented funding represents a public trust and a remarkable opportunity to transform our state to improve the lives of every New Mexican. We welcome any opportunity to discuss how to put these principles into practice and to serve as a supportive partner to government leaders dedicated to these principles.

Sincerely,

Albuquerque Community Foundation, Randy Royster, President and CEO

Anchorum St. Vincent, Peter F. Bastone, President, CEO and Board Member

Brindle Foundation, Mary Nell Wegner, Executive Director

Chamiza Foundation, Amanda J. Montoya, Executive Director

Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, Terra Winter, President and CEO

Con Alma Health Foundation, Denise Herrera, Executive Director

First Nations Development Institute

Grant County Community Foundation, Bernadette Smyth, Executive Director

Laguna Community Foundation, Joannie Romero, Executive Director

LANL Foundation, Jenny Parks, President and CEO

McCune Charitable Foundation, Carla Romero, Executive Director

NB3 Foundation, Jon Driskell, President and CEO

New Mexico Foundation, JoAnn Melchor, President and CEO

Santa Fe Community Foundation, Christopher Goett, President and CEO

Thornburg Foundation, Allan Oliver, Executive Director

W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Chamiza Pacheco de Alas, Director of New Mexico Programs

Groundworks New Mexico (formerly New Mexico Association of Grantmakers),

Frank R. Lopez, Executive Director

For more information, please contact:

Frank Rene Lopez

Frank@GroundworksNM.org

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