Best Grants for New Nonprofits in New Mexico

The Destination Forward Grant - Tier I B: Programming (NM) supports projects aimed at enhancing tourism infrastructure in New Mexico. With no matching funds required, grants of up to $50,000 are available to improve visitor experiences through various programming initiatives such as brochures, signage, and digital enhancements. This competitive grant empowers communities to thrive as sustainable tourism destinations, boosting economic growth and environmental stewardship across the state.

The Destination Forward Grant - Tier II B: Renovate and Modernize (NM) aims to enhance tourism infrastructure in New Mexico by supporting projects focused on renovation and modernization. Eligible projects may receive up to $500,000 to improve competitiveness, renovate historical attractions, and modernize experiences. This competitive grant encourages partnerships that demonstrate public benefit, ensuring sustainable tourism development while fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship.

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by fostering partnerships among government, higher education, and industry. This program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers to tackle significant challenges in STEM fields, promoting diversity and broadening participation. By integrating Minority-Serving Institutions and early-career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, RII-FEC seeks to build sustainable STEM capacity and drive impactful discoveries across regions.

The Sabbatical Research and Education Grant, offered by Western SARE, enables faculty worldwide to collaborate with farmers and researchers in the Western U.S. This program focuses on conducting innovative research and educational outreach in underserved regions, with an emphasis on unexplored topics. Grants up to $75,000 are available for projects spanning one year, promoting agricultural sustainability and community involvement.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico offers Blue Impact Grants to support nonprofit organizations with sustainable programs that align with five key areas of focus, including Economic Opportunity, Nutrition, and Health Solutions. These grants aim to enhance community health and wellness across New Mexico while adhering to the mission of providing accessible, quality healthcare. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including holding a 501(c)(3) status and targeting local needs.

The Connecting Joy Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to enhance the hospital experience for children battling illness through engaging gaming programs. This initiative supports children's hospitals and nonprofits by funding equipment, staffing, and connectivity, ensuring children can enjoy gaming at their bedside. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on offering joy and distraction, helping young patients cope with their hospital stays while facilitating connections with peers.

CommonSpirit Health offers the Community Health Improvement Grant to enhance health equity and service systems for underserved populations. Through collaborative efforts with 501(c)(3) organizations, this initiative provides financial support for essential health projects. Grant amounts range from $19,500 for small grants to $150,000 for standard grants, varying by hospital. Participating hospitals include those under Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, aimed at addressing significant community health needs.

The Outdoor Equity Fund (NM) promotes equitable access to the outdoors for underserved youth in New Mexico. Established in 2019, this initiative offers transformative outdoor experiences that foster a connection to nature while promoting stewardship of the state's lands and waters. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 support programs that encourage outdoor recreation and career pathways, ensuring that all young people can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of outdoor activities.

The EDA Austin FY 2016–FY 2019 Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program aims to bolster regional economic development by providing grants that assist eligible organizations in creating and implementing Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). This initiative seeks to enhance the economic prosperity and resiliency of distressed areas, ultimately fostering job creation for the unemployed and underemployed. It emphasizes partnership planning and supports organizations, including Indian Tribes, in driving effective economic development.

The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant supports local projects that enhance community well-being and boost local economies through improved outdoor infrastructure. This funding opportunity ranges from $25,000 to $99,999 and encourages projects that promote equitable access to recreation. It requires a match of 1:1 for urban projects and 2:1 for rural or Tribal communities, aiming to connect people with nature while fostering stewardship of New Mexico's landscapes.

The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF) empowers tribal communities across the U.S. by promoting renewable energy projects and workforce development. Launched by GRID Alternatives, TSAF provides critical funding for solar initiatives, enhancing energy sovereignty and resilience. Since its inception, TSAF has integrated community participation into its projects, ensuring that tribes can access sustainable energy solutions. By prioritizing education and equity, TSAF supports a transition to a clean energy economy, aiming for a sustainable future for generations to come.

The Department of the Interior's Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) invites proposals for the FLAMES award, aimed at master and doctoral students in wildland fire studies. This initiative enhances research relevance by connecting students with fire management practices, providing experiential learning opportunities, and fostering mentorship. Students will gain valuable insights into management and policy, preparing them for impactful careers in fire science. The program emphasizes peer-learning and professional development in the context of wildland fire management.

The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Development Phase (COBRE-D) program aims to enhance biomedical research capacity in IDeA states, which historically receive low NIH funding. By providing critical support for early-career investigators and essential infrastructure, COBRE-D facilitates a long-term vision for institutions. This initiative not only supplements start-up packages for new hires but also establishes research facilities and improves administrative services, paving the way for less-resourced institutions to transition into the COBRE E/S program.

The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant supports regional projects aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation and community well-being. With funding ranging from $100,000 to $499,999, it encourages projects that promote equitable access to nature and demonstrate economic benefits for the region. Applicants must show a commitment to public access and stewardship of natural landscapes. This grant plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems while fostering economic growth and creating jobs for residents and visitors alike.

Local and tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits with a government fiscal agent in New Mexico can seek capital funding for large-scale, shovel-ready tourism infrastructure projects. Focused on destination development, the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Destination Forward Tier III awards more than US $250,000 for high-impact projects that boost visitation, enhance experiences, and spur regional or statewide economic growth.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) invites proposals for regional fire science exchanges across nine designated regions in the U.S. This initiative aims to promote the sharing of fire science knowledge and practices over a two-year period. Eligible applicants can focus on regions including Alaska, Appalachians, Great Basin, North Atlantic, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Oak Woodlands, Pacific Islands, and Southwest. Proposals must be specific to one region.

The Mabee Foundation provides challenge grants for projects in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas, primarily focusing on construction, renovation, and major medical equipment purchases. Organizations must raise 40% of project costs from other donors before applying. Grants can reach up to 20% of total costs, with a maximum of $2 million. Applications are considered quarterly, requiring submissions by specific deadlines for review at upcoming board meetings.

New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Grant

The New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission invites tribes, local units of government, non-profits and units of state and federal agencies operating within New Mexico to submit proposals for YCC projects.

The NIOSH Miner Safety and Health Training Program aims to enhance health and safety training for miners in the Western United States. With mining fatalities significantly higher than the national average, this initiative seeks to address critical training needs by developing effective programs, increasing qualified instructors, and ensuring compliance with existing safety guidelines. By focusing on culturally appropriate training methods and collaborative efforts with other agencies, the program aims to reduce injuries and fatalities in the mining sector.

Indian Affairs Department

The Indian Affairs Department (IAD) is a Cabinet Level agency within the Executive Branch of the State of New Mexico.

The Indian Affairs Department (IAD) is a cabinetlevel agency within the Executive Branch of the State of New Mexico, leading change through a variety of programs and administration of funding opportunities. IAD investigates and addresses the health, economy, education and legislative impacts affecting Indian conditions and relations in New Mexico.

IAD collaborates with other state agencies, promotes public participation and serves as the clearinghouse for all state programs impacting Indian communities.

The department may hold hearings, conduct meetings, investigate issues and partner with tribal, local, state and federal entities to promote the welfare of New Mexico’s Indian people.

It also contracts with tribal governments, public agencies or private entities to provide services and facilities for Indian communities.

IAD also focuses on matters such as Behavioral Health & Suicide Prevention, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP), Environmental Justice, Policy & Legislation and more.

Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning Program (GWEP)

Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE)

The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced three new broadband planning grants, bringing the program’s total awards to $3.1 million while $1.9 million in funding remains available for immediate use.

The remaining $1.9 million is for Grant Writing, Engineering and Planning Program (GWEP). OBAE strongly encourages eligible entities to apply now to secure these vital resources for broadband infrastructure development. 

The GWEP program offers significant advantages for eligible applicants:

• No matching funds required
• Non-competitive assistance grants designed to spur broadband infrastructure projects in areas without broadband service
• Multiple awards allowed – entities can receive a second grant
• Broad eligible uses including strategic planning, engineering services, grant writing, and infrastructure analysis

With 31 total awards issued to date – including 14 Tribal communities, 14 local governments, and three rural cooperatives – the program has a strong track record in advancing broadband access across New Mexico’s underserved areas. 

What is Grant Writing, Engineering, and Planning (GWEP Grant)?

The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will award financial assistance grants to aid Tribal governments and local governmental units in procuring grant writing, engineering, and/or planning assistance to help identify community broadband needs and to support applying for other funding sources for broadband-related projects.  

GWEP Timeline:

The GWEP program and funds expire June 30, 2027

The WaterSMART Applied Science Grants aim to enhance water management and supply reliability through innovative research and data utilization. By inviting qualified entities to apply for funding, the program focuses on improving hydrologic data access, forecasting capabilities, and modeling tools. This initiative aligns with federal priorities to optimize resources, ensuring water managers can effectively address future demands and adapt to climate challenges, thus fostering resilience in water operations across the nation.

New Mexico Health Care Authority

The New Mexico Health Care Authority is a new agency that launched on July 1, 2024. This groundbreaking development is the result of merging the New Mexico Human Services Department, the State Employee Benefits team from the General Services Department, and the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division and Division of Health Improvement from the New Mexico Department of Health, and the Health Care Affordability Fund from the Office of Superintendent of Insurance.

This marks a significant milestone for the people of New Mexico as this new agency will work toward our vision of providing health care and safety net services to all New Mexicans.

The New Mexico Health Care Authority will leverage purchasing power, partnerships and data analytics to create innovative policies and models of comprehensive coverage for New Mexicans.

Graduate Medical Expansion Grant

The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) will award $1 million in grant funding to establish or expand residency programs and support primary care workforce beginning July 1, 2026. Award amounts will depend upon the number of applications received, overall funding, and availability of funds.

Funding will be awarded to applications that align with three key strategies:

• Establish new or expanding existing primary care GME residency programs by creating new first-year residency positions;
• Sustain existing primary care residency programs that maintain access to care in underserved areas or with underserved populations; and
• Develop new primary care workforce training pathways (nursing, physician assistant, or dental residency programs).

This funding opportunity is supported through the Primary Care Physician Training Expansion as authorized in House Bill 480.

The US Department of Health & Human Services announces a competitive funding opportunity for the Head Start/Early Head Start programs across various states. This initiative aims to enhance services for low-income families and children, promoting their social and economic well-being. With approximately $818.3 million available, the program seeks to expand access to quality early childhood education, thereby strengthening community stability and prosperity. Interested applicants can seek further information through the OHS Operations Center.

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in New Mexico support rural communities in addressing emergencies threatening safe drinking water access. With funding up to $1 million for water source construction and $150,000 for water transmission line repairs, this program empowers eligible entities like local governments, nonprofits, and tribes. It aims to restore access to clean water, enhance community resilience, and promote environmental sustainability following disasters such as droughts, floods, or chemical spills.

The Conservation Partners Grant Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supports private landowners in implementing regenerative agriculture and conservation practices. By awarding competitive grants, the program facilitates technical assistance for developing management plans and best practices, enabling landowners to maximize the ecological benefits of their lands. This initiative is crucial for enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, addressing pressing conservation issues, and promoting sustainable land stewardship across the United States.

New Mexico Department of Agriculture

NMDA is a producer-consumer service and regulatory department responsible for various statutes legislated since its inception. NMDA’s mandate has changed over the years in response to changes in population, the needs of agribusiness, and technological advancements. NMDA remains committed to serving its constituents by periodically reviewing statutes and fee structures, as well as offering compliance assistance and education in an effort to maintain a safe and secure food supply, promote a fair marketplace, and secure our natural resources.

Noxious Weed Management Grant

Purpose

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) will award competitive grants to eligible applicants for projects that improve the state’s economy and environment by managing noxious weeds in New Mexico. The grants are funded through New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund to achieve the purposes of the New Mexico Noxious Weed Management Act. 

Grant funds will be awarded for the following activities, but must include activities in at least one of the first three bullets bolded below to be considered for funding:

• Surveying & Mapping
• Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR)
• Integrated Weed Management (On-the-Ground-Treatments)
• Education/Outreach
• Planning, Capacity Development, & Partnership Building

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.