United Way of Northern New Mexico
United Way of Northern New Mexico is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The organization rallies individuals and organizations to turn obstacles into opportunities through collective action that transforms communities. United Way of Northern New Mexico operates as a public charity focused on grantmaking, collaboration, and advocacy to address pressing community needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$657K
-17.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$448K
+5.0% YoY
Grant Count
21
+10.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
-5.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: United Way of Northern New Mexico rallies individuals and organizations. Together, we turn obstacles into opportunities creating a future where collective action transforms communities.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education/Youth Mentorship: Empowering young people to reach their full potential
- Behavioral Health/Parental Supports: Enhancing community health and well-being
- Food/Housing: Ensuring stability and access to essential needs
- Senior Transportation: Improving transportation options for seniors to access vital healthcare services
The organization also operates the Community Action Fund, which provides program grants to qualifying health and human services agencies, and facilitates Rio Arriba collective impact initiatives focused on listening, convening, and building collective action toward improved outcomes.
Grantmaking
In December 2024, United Way of Northern New Mexico awarded $462,000 in nonprofit grants to 24 organizations for 2025. The organization received 47 applications requesting over $1,065,388, demonstrating significant community need. Funded partners for 2025 include organizations such as Cancer Foundation for New Mexico, CASA First Judicial District, Chama Valley Arts, Crisis Center of Northern NM, Dance Arts Los Alamos, Embudo Valley Tutoring Association, Española Pathways Shelter, Family Strengths Network, Las Cumbres Community Services, Los Alamos Family Council, Moving Arts Española, National Dance Institute of NM, Northern Youth Project, and others.
Grant Range
s:** Most grant awards range between $5,000 and $20,000, with $25,000 being the high end of typical funding.
Review Cycle
of September 30, 2025.
How to Apply
** The organization operates an online grant portal. For 2026 funding requests, the portal opened in September 2025 with an application deadline of September 30, 2025.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Northern New Mexico serves Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties in New Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $656,691
- Total Revenue: $714,986
- Total Expenses: $876,388
- Total Giving: $494,020
Staff: 8 employees
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since December 1971; EIN: 23-7138947
Rating: Four-Star rating with 100% score from independent evaluation
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $656,691 | $792,190 | $958,339 |
| Revenue | $714,986 | $924,751 | $696,035 |
| Expenses | $876,388 | $716,263 | $742,456 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $31,431 | $14,246 | $34,260 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
103 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Northern New Mexico
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Self Help Inc ($65,000), Inside Out Recovery ($50,000), Los Alamos Family Council ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHAMA ARTS COALITION CHAMA, NM | COMMUNITY ARTS & CUL | $8,500 |
| COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES SANTA FE, NM | ADVOCACY PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| EL RITO PUBLIC LIBRARY EL RITO, NM | LIBRARY OPERATION | $13,000 |
| EMBUDO VALLEY LIBRARY DIXON, NM | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $15,000 |
| EMBUDO VALLEY TUTORING ASSOCIATION DIXON, NM | TUTORING & MENTORING | $15,000 |
| ESPANOLA PATHWAYS SHELTER ESPANOLA, NM | HOMELESS SHELTER | $20,000 |
| FAMILY STRENGTHS NETWORK LOS ALAMOS, NM | FAMILY PROGRAMS | $22,500 |
| INSIDE OUT RECOVERY ESPANOLA, NM | REHABILITATION SERV | $50,000 |
| LOS ALAMOS FAMILY COUNCIL LOS ALAMOS, NM | COUNSELING CENTER | $30,000 |
| MESA TO MESA ESPANOLA, NM | HOME REPAIR PROGRAM | $12,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Cindy Padilla
Marketing & Grants Manager: Jeremy Varela
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CINDY PADILLA | EX DIRECTOR | 40 | $59,352 |
| CHRISTINE BUSTOS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MIKE HOLTZCLAW | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SANDRA JONES | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MIKE LIPPIATT | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LAURIE MONFILETTO | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| TODD NELSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MICHELLE WILDE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LIDDIE MARTINEZ | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| CAROL CLARK | VICE CHAIR | 4 | — |
| STEVEN RENFRO | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| LORI BACA | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Grant Awards (December 2024):** United Way of Northern New Mexico announced $462,000 in grants to 24 nonprofit organizations serving Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties. Executive Director Cindy Padilla noted that the organization received 47 applications requesting over $1,065,388, indicating significant community need. She emphasized that fundraising efforts are year-round and expressed hope to increase donations to provide additional funding in future years.
United Way Northern New Mexico Opens Grant Portal for 2026 ...**2026 Grant Portal Opening (September 2025):** The organization announced the opening of its grant portal for 2026 funding requests, inviting eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for support addressing critical community needs. The application deadline was set for September 30, 2025.
United Way Northern New Mexico Opens Grant Portal for 2026 ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Northern New Mexico fund?
**Mission:** United Way of Northern New Mexico rallies individuals and organizations. Together, we turn obstacles into opportunities creating a future where collective action transforms communities. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education/Youth Mentorship: Empowering young people to reach their full potential • Behavioral Health/Parental Supports: Enhancing community health and well-being • Food/Housing: Ensuring stability and access to essential needs • Senior Transportation: Improving transporta…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Northern New Mexico?
**Grant Ranges:** Most grant awards range between $5,000 and $20,000, with $25,000 being the high end of typical funding. **Eligibility Requirements:** • Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing with the Secretary of State and IRS • Organizations must offer services in one or more of the identified impact areas • Must serve residents in Los Alamos and/or Rio Arriba counties **Recent Grant Activity:** In December 2024, United Way of Northern New Mexico awarded $462,000 in nonprof…
Where does United Way of Northern New Mexico make grants?
United Way of Northern New Mexico serves Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties in New Mexico.
What size grants does United Way of Northern New Mexico award?
In 2024, United Way of Northern New Mexico awarded 21 grants totaling $448K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of Northern New Mexico's EIN?
United Way of Northern New Mexico's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7138947. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Northern New Mexico's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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