Funding Amount

$5,000 - $25,000

Deadline

September 30, 2026

175 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Community Action Fund

Overview: The Community Action Fund provides strategic grants to vetted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties. The fund is powered entirely by local giving and donations stay in Northern New Mexico.

Geographic Scope: Los Alamos and Rio Arriba Counties, New Mexico

Impact 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
  • Award Amount: Most grant awards range between $5,000-$20,000, with $25,000 being the high end of typical funding

    Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing with the IRS

  • Must be in good standing with the Secretary of State

  • Must serve Los Alamos and/or Rio Arriba County residents

  • Must offer services in one or more of the identified impact areas
  • Funding Use:

  • Programming support

  • General operations

  • Direct services
  • 2026 Funding Results: 23 nonprofit organizations received $303,084 in grants (announced December 18, 2025)

    2025 Funding Results: 24 nonprofit organizations received $462,000 in grants (announced December 23, 2024)

    Contact Information:

  • Jeremy Varela, Marketing & Grants Manager

  • Email: grants@unitedwaynnm.org

  • United Way of Northern New Mexico

  • PO Box 539, Los Alamos, NM 87544

  • Phone: 505.662.0800 or 505.216.6848
  • Website: unitedwaynnm.org/grants

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Access the online grant portal at unitedwaynnm.org/grants
    2. Verify eligibility - organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing with IRS and Secretary of State
    3. Complete the online application through the grant portal
    4. Submit by deadline - Grant requests accepted until September 30 (annual deadline)

    Required Materials/Eligibility Criteria

    • Current 501(c)(3) certification
    • IRS and Secretary of State documentation of good standing
    • Service area documentation (Los Alamos and/or Rio Arriba Counties)
    • Program/service description aligned with identified impact areas

    Grant Review Process

    • Applications reviewed by UWNNM Grants Committee
    • Committee conducts interviews with applicants
    • Scoring and evaluation of all applications
    • Awards announced in December for the following calendar year

    Timeline

    • Application Window Opens: September (typically early September)
    • Application Deadline: September 30 (annual)
    • Awards Announced: December
    • Funding Year: January - December of following year

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitseducationyouth-programsmental-healthhousingseniors

    Categories

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