Competitive Community Grants - Spring Cycle

Competitive Community Grants - Spring Cycle

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Santa Fe Community Foundation
Amount: US $5,000 - US $20,000
Last Updated: January 22, 2026

Summary

The Competitive Community Grants - Spring Cycle invites proposals from organizations in Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties. Focus areas include civic and economic opportunities, health and human services, and empowerment of Black futures. The program supports initiatives that promote workforce development, affordable housing, food security, and community engagement. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 based on annual budget, fostering impactful change in local communities.

Overview

Spring Cycle During this cycle, we welcome proposals from organizations serving Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties that are engaged in direct service, policy advocacy, and/or collaborative efforts to improve outcomes in the following fields of interest: Civic & Economic Opportunities Result: Community members are aware of, engaged, and involved in issues that affect them. We will support nonprofit organizations located in our funding region of Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties that work to improve the following: Workforce development/job creation Open government Community engagement Social and economic justice Support of hourly workers Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address: Improving access to employment opportunities and economic advancement by low-income and other disadvantaged community members Providing career counseling, job training, and other programs to low wage earners to advance their skills Financial literacy training Increasing community involvement in activities that will influence public policy to strengthen communities Support public policy, civic engagement, community organizing or public information to improve and strengthen local economy Health & Human Services Result: All people are healthy and safe. We will support nonprofit organizations located in our funding region of Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Santa Fe counties that work to improve the following: Access to affordable housing Food security Safety Access to health care Healthy neighborhood living conditions Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address: Affordable housing and shelter for homeless and at-risk populations Access to affordable and high quality food, including food banks, pantries, and community centers that distribute food and promote healthy eating and work to address “food deserts” Efforts to address safety for vulnerable populations, including domestic violence and child abuse prevention, bullying prevention in schools, safety issues specific to immigrant populations, low wage workers and communities of color Access to health services, including programs providing un- and under-insured populations with culturally appropriate and equitable access to quality health and wellness services such behavioral health (including addiction services), senior services, and groups working on cultural and generational trauma. Priority will be given to efforts applying a social determinants of health lens to the work Building healthy communities including built environment and infrastructure, environmental quality (toxins and air/water quality),affordable and reliable transportation, parks and recreation Systems change, including public policy, civic engagement, community organizing or public information to improve health and wellbeing of local residents. Empower Black Futures Community Fund Result:  Black life, arts, and culture will be uplifted through grant making to nonprofits in the state of New Mexico. We will support organizations that work on: Promoting community development through capacity building, strategic planning, professional development, and collaborative exploration.Fostering Black artistic expression and preserving cultural heritage through the presentation of diverse and emerging artists, the documentation and archiving of Black history, and the promoting of cultural exchange and community dialogue.Building financial literacy through the creation and distribution of financial resources, and providing real-world classes, counseling, and hands-on experiences to targeted businesses and families. Grant Sizes We offer $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 general operating support depending on your annual budget: Organizations with an annual budget up to $50,000 may apply for a $5,000 grant;Organizations with an annual budget between $50,001 - $150,000 may apply for a $10,000 grant;Organizations with an annual budget between $150,001 - $500,000 may apply for a $15,000 grant; andOrganizations with an annual budget of $500,001 or more may apply for a $20,000 grant.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that:Are located in or serve the people of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, San Miguel or Mora counties;Are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or are a public or governmental agency or a federally recognized tribe in the state of New Mexico, or that have a fiscal sponsor;Employ staff and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation;Are at least three years old;Have not already applied for a Community Grant this calendar year (only one Community Grant application per year per organization);If your organization received a donor advised grant from us last calendar year (but not a community grant), you are still eligible to apply for a competitive grant in the current calendar year.If your organization received a community grant from us last calendar year, or if you are not interested in applying for a grant, you may submit an abbreviated application to be included in the next Giving Together catalog, which goes out to fundholders.

Ineligibility

We do not make grants for the following:Religious purposesCapital campaigns or endowmentsScholarshipsIndividualsPrivate school tuition assistance