Community Grants Program

The Santa Fe Community Foundation's Community Grants Program aims to support nonprofits in Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties, aligning with the Foundation's mission to foster a thriving community through strategic investments. This program is designed to strengthen various sectors, including Arts & Culture, Animal Welfare, Civic & Economic Opportunities, Education, and Environment, by addressing critical needs and promoting sustainable development within the region. The Foundation's approach emphasizes direct service, policy advocacy, and collaborative efforts to achieve meaningful and lasting change. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including residents feeling disconnected from their communities, animals in need of welfare support, individuals seeking economic advancement, students requiring educational assistance, and communities affected by environmental challenges. The overarching impact goals are to enhance community well-being, promote social and economic justice, improve educational outcomes, protect the environment, and preserve cultural heritage. The Foundation seeks to create a more equitable and resilient New Mexico by empowering local organizations to address these issues effectively. Key priorities and focuses of the grant program are multifaceted. In Arts & Culture, the emphasis is on improving community connection, promoting diversity, preserving heritage, and strengthening the creative economy. For Animal Welfare, priorities include population control, cruelty prevention, and animal well-being. Civic & Economic Opportunities focus on workforce development, open government, and social and economic justice. Education aims to improve school readiness, academic proficiency, graduation rates, and youth engagement. Environmental efforts are directed towards addressing climate change through watershed protection, open space preservation, land remediation, renewable energy, environmental justice, and sustainable food systems. The expected outcomes and measurable results are tied to the specific field of interest. For example, in Arts & Culture, outcomes include increased participation in cultural programs and a stronger creative economy. In Animal Welfare, reduced animal overpopulation and improved well-being are anticipated. Civic & Economic Opportunities aim for increased access to employment and economic advancement, along with greater community involvement in public policy. Education seeks to close academic achievement gaps and improve student success, while Environment strives for cleaner water, preserved open spaces, and increased use of renewable energy. The Foundation’s strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that by supporting local nonprofits, they can foster positive systemic change, build community capacity, and ultimately improve the quality of life for all residents in the targeted counties.