Nominations open for Piñon Awards

The Santa Fe Community Foundation's Piñon Awards program recognizes local nonprofit organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the community in northern New Mexico. These awards align with the Foundation's mission to strengthen the community by supporting impactful organizations. The program's strategic priorities are to identify and honor nonprofits demonstrating courageous innovation, quiet inspiration, resiliency, and consistent, high-quality programs. The target beneficiaries of the Piñon Awards are 501(c)(3) or tribal entities that have operated for at least three years in northern New Mexico (specifically Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties) and have a proven track record. These organizations serve communities aligned with the Foundation’s funding priorities, which include Arts & Culture, Animal Welfare, Civic & Economic Opportunities, Education, Environment, and Health & Wellbeing. The program focuses on recognizing organizations that exemplify specific qualities through its award categories. The Courageous Innovation Award celebrates new solutions to persistent problems, based on sound theory. The Quiet Inspiration Award honors organizations working respectfully within the community, earning long-term support and trust. The Resiliency Award acknowledges efforts to build resilience in vulnerable communities facing emergencies and systemic injustices. Finally, the Tried & True Award recognizes organizations with over a decade of consistent, high-quality service despite external changes. Expected outcomes include increased visibility and recognition for these high-impact organizations, fostering continued excellence and innovation in the nonprofit sector. While specific measurable results for the Piñon Awards themselves are not detailed as quantitative metrics in the provided text, the criteria for winning nonprofits, such as a proven track record and alignment with funding priorities, serve as qualitative indicators of successful impact within the community. The Foundation's theory of change, implicit in these awards, is that by recognizing and celebrating effective organizations, it encourages best practices, strengthens the local nonprofit ecosystem, and ultimately contributes to the overall well-being and resilience of northern New Mexico.