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Community Foundation of Southern

LAS CRUCES, NM EIN: 85-0455682 Website

The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Established in 1989, the organization serves as a community resource that connects donors to charitable needs and supports nonprofit organizations throughout its service region. CFSNM manages over 200 endowments and serves as a center for charitable giving in Southern New Mexico.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$56.6M

+15.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$3.1M

+21.6% YoY

Grant Count

55

-17.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$57K

+48.2% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission: The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico serves as a community resource, connects donors to needs, and supports charitable organizations in their work. The organization aims to improve the quality of life in Southern New Mexico and believes in the power of community, nurturing dreams, and the potential of people across the region.

Primary Focus Areas:

  • Community and economic development
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Reproductive health
  • Early childhood education
  • LGBTQ causes
  • Arts and culture
  • Education and scholarships
  • Health improvement
  • Food access and hunger relief
  • Literacy expansion

Grantmaking

CFSNM conducts grantmaking through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens and operates three annual grant cycles. The foundation manages at least 40 nonprofit agency endowments and houses over 35 scholarships.

Review Cycle

. The foundation manages at least 40 nonprofit agency endowments and houses over 35 scholarships.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

CFSNM serves seven counties in Southern New Mexico: Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Otero, Sierra, Grant, Lincoln, and Luna. According to some sources, the foundation's service area extends to twelve counties, also including Catron, Chaves, Eddy, Lea, and Socorro.

Grant Distribution by State

11states
+3 more states

Cities

AlamogordoAlamogorodoAlamorgordoAlbuquerqueAnthonyBelenBerinoBernalilloBrenhamChicagoClovisConcordDatilDemingDenverDerryEl PasoEspaolaFarmingtonFrederick

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023:

  • Total Assets: $48.8–$56.6 million
  • Total Revenue: $14.2 million
  • Total Expenses: $4.2 million
  • Total Liabilities: $6.7 million

Staffing: The foundation employs 4–6 staff members.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M$21M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$56,596,461$48,816,884$38,104,848
Revenue$11,789,699$14,161,520$3,282,640
Expenses$6,514,518$4,181,639$2,767,350
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$1,139,584$1,100,094$552,533
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$786K$2M$2M$3M57 grants202028 grants202129 grants202267 grants202355 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

New Mexico State Univers…$482KMesilla Valley Economic …$325KNM Association for Infan…$308KJardin de los Ninos$259KBorderplex Bi-National E…$250KFranklin Mountain Packag…$150KCommunity Action Agency …$111K100 Chaves County LLC$95KDona Ana Community College$89K3 Suns Birth$83K

Grant Size Distribution

207 grants across all recorded years

156<$50K26$50–100K14$100–250K11$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

9 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Southern

Show all 9 →

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Chris Mitchell is identified as a Board Member. The organization is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, corporations, and institutions connected by the desire to improve Southern New Mexico.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Terra WinterPresident & CEO$132K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Terra WinterPresident & CEO40$132,429
Preston MitchellPast Chair5
Katy MorrowChair5
Gary BrunerVice Chair5
Christine SalazarSecretary5
Christopher SalcidoTreasurer5
Travis CokerDirector5
Celeste McGuireDirector5
Dr Dolores GomezDirector5
Alejandra Covarrubias-ParraDirector5
Chris MitchellDirector5
Brenda PorterDirector5
Jennifer CharityDirector5
Ricardo Rico GonzalesDirector5
Alexander Alex HummerDirector5

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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