Best Grants for International Development in New Mexico

New Mexico museums, cultural institutions, and other 501(c)(3) or university-based art programs can access funding through the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation for exhibitions, convenings, academic research, and exhibition catalogs tied to its art collections. Organizations, especially small and midsize and those in the American Southwest, may be eligible if projects relate to the foundation’s specified collection areas.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

New Mexico 501(c)(3) organizations and government equivalents running programs in aging, youth development, education, homelessness, disabilities, addiction, or amateur sports can access funding through Daniels Fund for projects, general operations, or capital campaigns. Competitive grants, typically around Approximately US $75,000, support high-impact efforts that improve lives and strengthen communities in the state.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth through health, education, development, or welfare programs in New Mexico and beyond can seek funding for direct services and enrichment initiatives. The Dan Paul Foundation supports child advocacy, homelessness and poverty services, refugee enrichment, environmental education, and related youth-focused projects worldwide, with awards up to US $15,000.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in New Mexico offering arts, arts education, or science programs can seek more than US $100,000 to support program, capital, or limited general and endowment needs. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation prioritizes large, well-established U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations engaging youth and nurturing artistic talent, including museums, theaters, symphonies, ballets, and arts schools.

Nonprofit and humanitarian organizations working on global health, education, or disaster relief can apply for support from Semnani Family Foundation, which funds marginalized communities in countries worldwide, including the U.S. New Mexico-based groups with international development or humanitarian programs may be eligible for projects such as healthcare access, food security, child welfare, or women’s services.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Nonprofits, individuals, fiscally sponsored groups, and university departments can seek funding for visual arts, media arts, and art history projects in New Mexico that align with the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation’s collection areas. Grants may support exhibitions, scholarly convenings, or academic research, and organizations working on international development through arts and culture may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New Mexico communities where Penn National Gaming operates can apply for grants supporting local community development, education, human services, health, cultural programs, and veteran and military support. Grants from Penn National Gaming help New Mexico organizations address broad resident needs in cities and counties where the company has a business interest.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

Thomas R. Nickoloff Family Foundation 

Promoting Excellence in Educational Outcomes

The Nickoloff Family Foundation was founded in 2017 with the singular mission of “Promoting Excellence in Educational Outcomes,” primarily focused on New Mexico.

It is our core belief that a quality education provides a gateway to personal fulfillment, achievement, self-respect and rewarding work, for the betterment of the individual, families and society as a whole. Building stronger individuals, families and community is central to our mission of funding and “Promoting Excellence in Educational Outcomes.”

Grants

Grant support is provided by the Thomas R. Nickoloff Family Foundation (the “Foundation”) at the sole discretion and determination of the Foundation Trustee to non-profit, tax-exempt organizations as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. 

Categories of Support

The following categories may serve as a guideline to applicants in determining whether their programs are consistent with the Foundation’s core mission of “Promoting Excellence in Educational Outcomes”.

1) Proven and Effective Educational Programming/Initiatives

• School Based Programs
• After School Programs

2) Academic and Foundation Research Focused on:

• Policy, Programming and Initiatives to Improve Educational Outcomes
• School Safety Initiatives

3) Arts Education Outreach Programs

Organizations may apply once yearly for grant support. Multi-year grants may also be considered but would be structured as one-year grants renewable annually at the sole discretion of the Foundation. Any and all grant funds, if any, awarded by the Foundation to an Organization shall be used solely for the explicit purposes noted in a grant application as use of funds.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Grassroots community-based organizations advancing social justice and systemic change, including those in New Mexico, can seek support for community organizing work through the Peace Development Fund’s Community Organizing Grants Program. With a mission to build just and peaceful communities, Peace Development Fund provides approximately US $5,000, primarily for general operating support, to small groups in the U.S., Mexico, Haiti, and select territories.

International development and climate-focused NGOs in the Americas, including those working from or connected to New Mexico, can seek two-year project support for scalable climate action initiatives. With a mission to strengthen environmental resilience, HCL Technologies provides funding up to US $500,000 for projects advancing Sustainable Development Goals across ten eligible countries.

Nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribes working on civic engagement, economic opportunity, and health and human services in New Mexico can seek general operating support of US $5,000 - US $20,000. Santa Fe Community Foundation supports efforts in Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties that advance workforce development, housing, food security, safety, and community health.

New Mexico 501(c)(3) organizations, public agencies, and tribes supporting Black life, arts, culture, or financial literacy can access funding through Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Empower! Black Futures Community Fund; awards US $5,000 - US $20,000 in general operating support. Eligible groups must serve Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, or San Miguel counties and be at least three years old.

Nonprofit organizations, public educational institutions, and public agencies in New Mexico’s Greater Albuquerque area can seek general operating support for arts, education, health, human services, environment, workforce, and animal welfare programs. Focused on broad community needs, Albuquerque Community Foundation invites eligible applicants to request US $10,000 - US $20,000 grants that may benefit locally based international development efforts.

New Mexico 501(c)(3) public charities with programs in safety, workforce development, community vitality, or environmental sustainability can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation to support direct services and capacity-building projects. Grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000 support work primarily benefiting communities served by Union Pacific, with an emphasis on diverse and underrepresented populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored projects improving community health and health equity in New Mexico can seek up to US $30,000 for systems-level initiatives. With a mission to strengthen health for diverse communities, Con Alma Health Foundation provides New Mexico organizations with support for access to care, health promotion, policy, research, and workforce development that may benefit international development-focused work.

Health-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored projects in northern New Mexico can apply for Con Alma Health Foundation’s Northern New Mexico Health Grant; awards up to US $20,000 for community-level health access and equity work. Grants support program staff, operations, research, policy advocacy, health promotion, and workforce development benefiting rural, tribal, and medically underserved residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing youth baseball or softball in New Mexico and nearby states can receive funding for field renovations, equipment, uniforms, and league development. The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, with Globe Life and Bally Sports Southwest, supports programs serving players 18 and under across Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

U.S. nonprofit organizations leading strong cross-sector community partnerships can apply for Mutual of America Foundation’s Community Partnership Award to recognize and support impactful collaborative work. New Mexico organizations working on international development or other significant social issues may be eligible if their partnerships demonstrate measurable community impact, replication potential, and innovative approaches to solving social challenges.

• Library Collections 
  • Items traditionally available at the library and intended for public use, such as books, e-books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, electronic and digital media, licensed databases (e.g., ancestry.com, mango languages), etc.
  • Non-traditional circulating/educational programming items may also be allowable. Contact the Development Bureau for more information prior to making such purchases.
• Library Staff Salaries
  • RLPLE grant funds can be used to pay regular library staff salaries and benefits for their work within the library.
  • Paying a part-time/substitute library staff member/summer intern may also be allowable. 
• Library Staff Professional Development
  • Registration for in-person or online training, travel (including meals & lodging) for attending instate (e.g., NMLA) and out-of-state library conferences (e.g., ALA, MPLA, PLA, ARSL), and trainings/workshops provided to library staff on library related services/issues, which are organized and held at the library, or held at another location, e.g., state library or other library, etc
• Library Equipment and Furnishings
  • Items associated with meeting the information needs of library patrons such as library furniture, public computers, printers, wireless routers, scanners, software, and related peripherals, etc. RLPLE grant funds may also be used for staff furniture, computers, software, and related peripherals, etc. necessary to support library operations.
• Other Operational Expenditures Associated with Delivery of Library Services
• Capital Improvements and Construction

Environmental and conservation organizations in New Mexico’s Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Mora counties can seek general operating support to address climate change, watershed protection, open space, renewable energy, environmental justice, and sustainable food systems. Focused on environmental stewardship, Santa Fe Community Foundation offers US $5,000 - US $20,000 based on organizational budget size.