New Mexico Humanities Council
The New Mexico Humanities Council (NMHC), based in Albuquerque, supports and conducts public humanities programs throughout New Mexico, including grant-funded projects. It was formed in 1972 and is classified as a Form 990 public charity.
New Mexico Humanities Council at a glance
In short: New Mexico Humanities Council gave $180K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), mostly in New Mexico. 54% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $179,805
- +45.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,831
- +12.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $1,543,823
- +26.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 54% first-time grantees (7 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New Mexico (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to New Mexico Humanities Council
- How to Apply
-
The program information calls for a consultation with NMHC staff before applying. Applicants should confirm eligibility and project alignment with the grant guidelines, and ensure their organization has an active SAM.gov registration and a profile in the Council’s application system. The Major Grants application process also includes a project timeline; the Council’s application guidance says expenses cannot be charged to a grant before the board votes to fund it.
- Review Cycle
- The listed Major Grants deadline is October 1, 2026.
- Deadline
- The listed Major Grants deadline is October 1, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4115 Silver Avenue Se, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Phone: (505) 633-7370
Website: https://newmexicohumanities.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from New Mexico Humanities Council
Who New Mexico Humanities Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Afromundo ($18K). Together the top 10 received $155K.
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 85 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NMHC’s grant program is for projects in New Mexico. All 2025 grant dollars reported in the filing went to recipients in New Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Is New Mexico Humanities Council open to new grantees?
54%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 13 grantees (54%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $61K (2023) to $652K (2022). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $180K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Afromundo Albuquerque, NM | Support Humanities | $18,254 |
| El Morrow Arts Council Ramah, NM | Support Humanities | $17,250 |
| New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM | Support Humanities | $15,029 |
| Georgia O'Keefe Museum Santa Fe, NM | Support Humanities | $15,000 |
| Indigenous Ways Santa Fe, NM | Support Humanities | $15,000 |
| National Institute of Flamenco Albuquerque, NM | 35TH Annual Festival | $15,000 |
| The Leopold Writing Program Albuquerque, NM | Support Humanities | $15,000 |
| Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Albuquerque, NM | Support Humanities | $14,998 |
| Basement Films Inc Albuquerque, NM | Support Humanities | $14,980 |
| Center Santa Fe, NM | Support Humanities | $14,407 |
Ready to take the next step with New Mexico Humanities Council?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,543,823 | $1,380,145 | $1,136,014 | $179,805 | 13 | $208,452 |
| 2024 | $1,217,955 | $1,205,455 | $1,112,862 | $123,446 | 10 | $31,914 |
| 2023 | $983,501 | $1,116,736 | $1,102,736 | $60,994 | 7 | $9,036 |
| 2022 | $1,109,599 | $1,797,324 | $1,685,179 | $652,394 | 44 | $125,621 |
| 2021 | $1,043,717 | $907,331 | $852,007 | $91,483 | 11 | $9,104 |
| 2020 | $1,520,052 | $1,462,489 | $1,284,310 | $490,946 | 66 | $2 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NMHC’s stated mission is to support public programs in New Mexico communities that inspire inclusive conversations, strengthen civil society, and celebrate diverse human experiences. Its grant program supports publicly accessible humanities projects that foster dialogue, inquiry, and connection, and that involve scholars, community elders, tradition bearers, or local historians.
The Council’s program information identifies nonprofits, tribal governments, and governmental institutions as eligible applicants, subject to having a Unique Entity Identification number actively registered through SAM.gov. The Council’s descriptions of supported organizations illustrate the range of work: AfroMundo says it uses cultural, arts, and humanities programs to explore diasporic histories and contemporary issues; the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center says it works to preserve Pueblo culture and advance understanding of Pueblo history; and the National Institute of Flamenco says it preserves and promotes flamenco’s artistry, history, and culture.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, NMHC reported 13 grants totaling $179,805. Grant amounts ranged from $6,816 to $18,254, with a median of $15,000. Notable recipients included AfroMundo ($18,254), El Morrow Arts Council ($17,250), New Mexico State University ($15,029), the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum ($15,000), and the National Institute of Flamenco ($15,000).
The Major Grants program information lists public humanities programming, programs reaching new and underserved audiences, and humanities education and cultural engagement. It calls for audience interaction, including Q&A sessions with scholars, and a one-to-one match of cash or in-kind resources within the project performance period. An organization may not have more than one open grant at a time; the existing grant must be closed before a new award can be issued. Quick Grants are described as year-round support of up to $2,000 for individual events or specific budget line items.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brandon Johnson as Executive DI; Miriam Langer as Chair; Fabian E. Sisneros as Vice-Chair; Regina Bouley Sweeten as Secretary; and Elva Osterreich as Treasurer. Directors listed were Sommer Betlej, Deirdre Ewing, David Geary, Myrriah Gomez, and Elizabeth Holmes.
New Mexico Humanities Council is led by Miriam Langer, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 17 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Miriam Langer
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carmen Nocentelli
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Holmes
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joann Melchor
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deirdre Ewing
Director
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Ortega
Director
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonatha Kottler
Director
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Niederman
Director
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Geary
Director
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Myrriah Gomez
Director
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chelsea Jones
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sommer Betlej
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melanie Ratliff
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Johnson
Executive Di
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$91K (2020) → $100K (2025)
Elva Osterreich
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fabian E. Sisneros
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Regina Bouley Sweeten
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Glenn Fetzer (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Maresa Thompson (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Arif Khan (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Germaine Mitchell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeff Pappas (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sommer Smith (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Diana Cordova (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Jerry Brown (2020–2022) — Immediate Pa
- Former: Keevin Lewis (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Juniper Leherissey (2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Colette Labouff (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Long (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Juniper Manley (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Rosalie Otero (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Thomas Chavez (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Austin Evans (2020) — Director
- Former: Cymantha Diaz Liakos (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $100K, to Brandon Johnson (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about New Mexico Humanities Council
How much does New Mexico Humanities Council give each year?
New Mexico Humanities Council gave $180K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $123K across 10 grants.
What is New Mexico Humanities Council's typical grant size?
New Mexico Humanities Council's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $13,831, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from New Mexico Humanities Council that year got $13K on average.
Where does New Mexico Humanities Council give grants?
New Mexico Humanities Council gives mostly in New Mexico: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Albuquerque, NM (6 grants), Santa Fe, NM (3 grants) and Taos, NM (2 grants).
Does New Mexico Humanities Council give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on New Mexico Humanities Council's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Humanities" (12 grants).
Who are New Mexico Humanities Council's largest grantees?
New Mexico Humanities Council's largest 2025 grantees include Afromundo ($18,254), El Morrow Arts Council ($17,250) and New Mexico State University ($15,029), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is New Mexico Humanities Council?
New Mexico Humanities Council reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does New Mexico Humanities Council fund?
NMHC’s stated mission is to support public programs in New Mexico communities that inspire inclusive conversations, strengthen civil society, and celebrate diverse human experiences. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New Mexico Humanities Council?
The program information calls for a consultation with NMHC staff before applying. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is New Mexico Humanities Council's EIN?
New Mexico Humanities Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0225681. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 13, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New Mexico Humanities Council's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Marshall L and Perrine D McCune
Santa Fe, NM
The foundation funds unrestricted operating support for community-based work benefiting New Mexicans in health, education, the environment, culture, and spiritual life; most of its giving goes to New Mexico. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,850 to $200,000, with a median of $15,000, and it accepts applications during an annual open cycle.
Assets
$97.6M
Grants
139
Total Given
$3.2M
Albuquerque Community Foundation
Albuquerque, NM
The Albuquerque Community Foundation funds nonprofit work in health care, human services, arts and culture, education, environment and historic preservation, and economic and workforce development, serving Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $16,000 and ranged from $5,200 to $663,352; its annual grant cycle has a minimum award of $10,000.
Assets
$160.6M
Grants
245
Total Given
$6.9M
Santa Fe Community Foundation
Santa Fe, NM
The Santa Fe Community Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in health, education, economic opportunity, the environment, arts and culture, and other community priorities; its main focus is Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties, though some funds support work statewide. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,250 to $1,517,500, with a median of $16,006. It accepts proposals through competitive grant cycles and fund-specific opportunities; no grants were open at the time described.
Assets
$144.1M
Grants
302
Total Given
$12.4M
Con Alma Health Foundation Inc
Santa Fe, NM
Con Alma Health Foundation funds New Mexico nonprofits working to improve health equity, access to care, culturally appropriate services, and community health systems. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $46,250, with a median of $20,000; it invites nonprofits to apply through its grant programs.
Assets
$33.6M
Grants
56
Total Given
$1.0M
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
PNM TNMP Foundation
Albuquerque, NM
The PNM TNMP Foundation supports nonprofits working in education, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality, with grants also benefiting a range of community services. It funds organizations in New Mexico and Texas; 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $75,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Its website provides an application for the 2026 PNM Power Grant, but the profile does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$14.2M
Grants
169
Total Given
$1.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in New Mexico
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). New Mexico Humanities Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/new-mexico-humanities-council-morg_3b7f017758624bc691bdc3ecc88dc82a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_850225681_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{New Mexico Humanities Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/new-mexico-humanities-council-morg_3b7f017758624bc691bdc3ecc88dc82a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from New Mexico Humanities Council's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
New Mexico Humanities Council down — hundreds of funders to go?