La Plazita Institute
La Plazita Institute is a public charity based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its work combines cultural and community-based programs for youth, families, and other community members, including workforce development, health navigation, gardens, food distribution, and youth diversion and support.
La Plazita Institute at a glance
- Total assets
- $2,575,217
- +12.7% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $2,314,654
- +40.8% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $1,809
- -49.4% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $2,013,124
- +29.2% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to La Plazita Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 831 Isleta Blvd Sw, Albuquerque, NM 87105-3930
Phone: (505) 508-1802
Website: https://laplazitainstitute.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who La Plazita Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The institute is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its Pathways program serves individuals and families in Bernalillo County. The 2021 grants listed include Albuquerque organizations as well as Conservation Legacy, based in Durango, Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2021 it made 22 grants totaling $220K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Drop-in Center Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity buildingsub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| Conservation Legacy Durgango, CO | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| Bold Futures Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| The Savila Collaborative DBA Centro Savila Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| Families United for Education DBA Southwest Organizing Project Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| Frontline Resurrection Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| Keshet Dance Company Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| Naca- Inspired Schools Network Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| New Day Youth & Families Service Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
| NM Asian Family Center Albuquerque, NM | Sub-grant for participation on the collaborative and for organizations capacity building | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,575,217 | $2,314,654 | $2,013,124 | — | — | $1,809 |
| 2024 | $2,285,271 | $1,644,341 | $1,558,051 | — | — | $3,576 |
| 2023 | $2,184,210 | $2,487,043 | $1,783,331 | — | — | $1,757 |
| 2022 | $1,474,569 | $1,965,466 | $1,479,512 | — | — | $1,260 |
| 2021 | $1,067,906 | $1,559,464 | $1,201,323 | $220,000 | 22 | $625 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The website’s mission is to use a comprehensive, holistic, and cultural approach rooted in “La Cultura Cura,” drawing on communities’ roots and histories to express values of respect, honor, love, and family. The organization’s 2024 filing describes its mission as strengthening community and enabling youth to leave destructive lifestyles by drawing on their roots and expressing core values.
Programs described by the organization include the Barrio Youth Corps, a workforce development program for system-impacted youth of color with a special focus on Indigenous youth; Pathways, which connects people to services such as behavioral health, housing, food, legal support, education, and medical care; and year-round community gardens. The website also describes a court-referred, 30-day diversion program for youth, weekly food distribution, and cultural and healing activities.
Grantmaking
The 2025, 2024, and 2023 filings each report zero grants. The available grant records list six grants made in 2021, each for $10,000, for a total of $60,000 that year:
No application process, materials, restrictions, or deadline are stated in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Albino Garcia Jr. as executive director; Autumn Drags Wolf as president; Susan K Alkema JD as vice president; James Santiago Maestas as treasurer; and Juan Rey Abeita as secretary. Directors listed are Brad Lagorio, Mahpiya Black Elk, Dalia Bustillos, Andrew Hollowhorn, and Susie Reyes.
La Plazita Institute is led by Albino Garcia Jr., Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Albino Garcia Jr.
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$66K (2021) → $85K (2025)
Autumn Drags Wolf
President
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Hollowhorn
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Lagorio
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mahpiya Black Elk
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amber Epaloose
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dalia Bustillos
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Schoeppner
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee Chavez-Maes
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susie Reyes
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Rey Abeita
Secretary
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan K. Alkema JD
Vice President
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Santiago Maestas
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: James Maestas Santiago (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Destiny Sisneros (2021) — Director
- Former: E. Joaquin Griego (2021) — Vice President
- Former: Lonnie Anderson (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $85K, to Albino Garcia Jr (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about La Plazita Institute
How large is La Plazita Institute?
La Plazita Institute reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What does La Plazita Institute fund?
The website’s mission is to use a comprehensive, holistic, and cultural approach rooted in “La Cultura Cura,” drawing on communities’ roots and histories to express values of respect, honor, love, and family. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from La Plazita Institute?
La Plazita Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check laplazitainstitute.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does La Plazita Institute make grants?
The institute is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its Pathways program serves individuals and families in Bernalillo County. The 2021 grants listed include Albuquerque organizations as well as Conservation Legacy, based in Durango, Colorado.
What is La Plazita Institute's EIN?
La Plazita Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2486467. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Live grants for the work La Plazita Institute funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in La Plazita Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
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La Plazita Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?