New Mexico Community Foundation logo

New Mexico Community Foundation

SANTA FE, NM EIN: 85-0311210 Website

The New Mexico Community Foundation (NMCF), also operating as New Mexico Foundation (NMF), is the state's only statewide community foundation. Established in 1983 by a small group of dedicated volunteers, the organization has evolved into a leader in philanthropy across New Mexico. Based in Santa Fe, NMCF stewards community resources, builds partnerships, and creates opportunities that transform lives throughout the state. The foundation operates with a progressive, grassroots approach to building stronger communities by empowering community members to collaborate on critical issues and tap into local resources.

Financial Overview

From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$35.8M

+14.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$3.6M

+58.5% YoY

Grant Count

70

-20.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$51K

+99.2% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission: To steward community resources, build partnerships, and create opportunities that transform lives throughout New Mexico.

NMCF manages endowed and non-permanent donor-advised, nonprofit agency, scholarship, designated, community-advised, and field of interest funds addressing a wide range of issues:

  • Education and leadership development
  • Arts and culture
  • Rural development
  • Native philanthropy and entrepreneurship
  • Women, children, and families
  • Environment and animal protection
  • Community leadership and civic engagement
  • Health and wellness
  • Community health initiatives

The foundation pools resources to support New Mexico's most underserved communities, strengthen nonprofits, and grow philanthropy, particularly in rural areas. Specific programs include the Rural Livelihoods Initiative, which funds sustainable, community-based economic development projects, and Strengthening New Mexico Families, which addresses child and family health participation and access to health services.

Grantmaking

Grant Range

s:** Typical awards range from $3,000 to $573,208, with a median grant size of approximately $5,360.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

NMCF funds throughout New Mexico, with a particular emphasis on underserved and rural communities across the state. The foundation also has documented funding activity in Texas and Colorado.

Grant Distribution by State

11states
+3 more states

Cities

Acoma PuebloAlamogordoAlbuquerqueAnthonyAnton ChicoArtesiaAustinBernalilloCarlsbadClovisCochiti PuebloColumbusCrownpointDemingDenverDixonDulceDurangoEl PasoEspanola

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Total Assets (2023): $35,917,769

Total Revenues (2023): $12,693,503

Total Expenses (2023): $10,214,786

Endowments Managed: Over $22 million in investments for 50 individuals and organizations

Staff: 13 employees (as of 2023)

Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since September 1983; EIN: 85-0311210

Donor-Advised Funds: The organization operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.

Rating: Four-Star rating from external evaluators, with a 100% score in Accountability & Finance.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$3M$7M$10M$13M2020202120222023
Metric202320222021
Total Assets$35,796,057$31,184,703$33,737,361
Revenue$12,228,746$8,692,740$8,575,952
Expenses$10,103,319$6,511,303$5,403,906
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$1,555,457$495,410$1,636,491
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$888K$2M$3M$4M90 grants202080 grants202188 grants202270 grants2023

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2023

MORGAN STANLEY GLOBAL IM…$573KALBUQUERQUE COMMUNITY FO…$159KCONSERVATION LEGACY$108KNEW MEXICO COMMUNITY CAP…$103KAMERICANS FOR INDIAN OPP…$100KEARTH CARE$100KINDIGENOUS LIFE WAYS$100KJICARILLA APACHE NATION$100KPUEBLO OF POJOAQUE$100KNM COMUNIDADES EN ACCION…$66K

Grant Size Distribution

200 grants across all recorded years

163<$50K22$50–100K13$100–250K1$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

4 open opportunities from New Mexico Community Foundation

Show all 4 →

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

President & CEO: JoAnn Melchor

Investment Committee Chair: David Bruner

Compensation Overview

From 2023 IRS filing

JOANN MELCHORPRESIDENT &$149KPHILIP J VARNUM FROM…FINANCE DIRE$50KCARLA MELENDEZ TO 0523FINANCE DIRE$47K

From 2023 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
RHONDA LOWEDIRECTOR1
ANPAO DUTA FLYING EARTHDIRECTOR1
DAVID BRUNERDIRECTOR1
SANDY BRICESECRETARY FR1
EUN HONGTREASURER1
MARSHALL POOLEVICE CHAIR1
ROSEMARY ROMEROCHAIR1
CARLA MELENDEZ TO 0523FINANCE DIRE40$46,823
PHILIP J VARNUM FROM 723FINANCE DIRE40$50,123
JOANN MELCHORPRESIDENT &40$149,200

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation has announced multiple grant awards in recent periods, including:

New Mexico Foundation Announces $530000 in Grants from the ...

$530,000 in grants from the Anchorum Community Health Funds

$559,520 in grants announced to support various community initiatives

New Mexico Foundation Announces $559,520 In Grants

The organization continues to expand its grantmaking capacity and community engagement efforts, with active recruitment for additional staff positions including a Finance Associate role.

Contact Information

Address: 8 Calle Medico, Santa Fe, NM 87505-4724

Phone: 505-820-6860

Fax: 505-820-7860

Email: info@newmexicofoundation.org

Website: www.nmcf.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Fridays - office closed, all staff work remotely)

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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