By KAREN WILLIAMS
Director of Development
UNM-Los Alamos

Since beginning fundraising efforts for UNM-LA in 2023, we’ve had wonderful responses and great results! This community is uniquely caring and aware, and we are very grateful that so many have been moved to include UNM-LA in their philanthropic budgets!

In 2023, we began campaigning in the community with individual donors, the Los Alamos Community Foundation, and local corporations (SMSI and N3B) and successfully established a $500,000 endowment fund for the long-term financial well-being of our campus.

Did you know that though UNM-LA is a part of The University of New Mexico system, that we and other branch campuses receive no financial assistance from them. Thanks to every locally donated dollar, UNM-LA has a clear path forward.

Students often struggle with academic or personal challenges, so we created the Student Success and Support Fund to provide short‑term financial assistance for needs like tutoring or childcare.

In assessing new paths for addressing critical needs at UNM-LA, we have chosen one of our greatest challenges related to one of our most-prized resources, faculty. We believe this is an important, practical and interesting charitable venture.

UNM‑LA Dean of Instruction, Brent Pickett, Ph.D., noted that recruiting and retaining qualified faculty remains a significant challenge. While compensation plays a role, faculty also look for strong hiring packages and meaningful professional support that help them grow as teachers and scholars.

Strengthening these areas — through resources that enhance instruction, encourage academic development and support continued excellence — will help UNM‑LA attract new faculty and retain its current dedicated educators.

We have an ambitious goal, and of course welcome questions and discussions by email, by Zoom or over coffee at our new campus café, about your thoughts on gifts of any size. One early donor has designated a wonderful gift to support a much-needed welding position. Any area of your most keen interest would greatly benefit our faculty and teaching efforts, and we are excited to work with Los Alamos and our wonderful northern New Mexico region on this noble journey.

For questions, please contact me at karen.williams@unmfund.org.