Grant Committee Chair Steve Renfro addresses representatives of area non-profit organizations during the kick-off of the annual grant cycle last May at UNM-LA. UWNNM Board President Liddie Martinez looks on at left. Post file photo
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Twenty two area non-profit organizations have been awarded grants that totaled $443,101 from the United Way of Northern New Mexico’s (UWNNM) 2023 Community Action Fund.
The fund is made possible through generous donations of community members and organizations.
“This year’s grant awards effectively met the need identified by our partners at very close to 100%,” Grant Committee Chair Steve Renfro said. “This match was due to the growth of this year’s fund. Once again, our partner agencies are well positioned to meet the diverse needs of our community thanks to our donor’s generosity.”
The 2023 Grant Committee members include Chair Renfro, UWNNM Board President Liddie Martinez, Board members Todd Nelson and Joe Legare and community members Leslie Bucklin, Don Cobb, Ann Hayes, Pat Soran and Leslie Wallstrom.
Cobb is a former UWNNM Board member who addressed the grant award process following a previous grant cycle.
“The process that the United Way uses to determine the distribution of annual grants to nonprofit service providers is about as fair, equitable, and inclusive as it possibly could be,” Cobb said. “It starts with independent surveys of critical financial, health, and education needs in Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties. Then a group of community volunteers and board members rank applications from nonprofit service providers against these needs, nonprofits with a proven track record of service as evidenced through mandatory documentation and in-person hearings. Successful grantees are required to submit progress reports and host site visits. The most meaningful thing to me has been the opportunity of actually meeting so many dedicated people who serve our communities and witnessing firsthand the amazing work that they do, enabled at least in part by grants from the United Way’s Community Action Fund. These folks are truly unsung heroes.”
This year’s grant recipients include:
- The Food Depot
- Court Appointed Special Advocates
- Ojo Sarco Community Center
- San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen
- Self Help, Inc.
- Los Alamos Family Council
- Embudo Valley Library
- Embudo Valley Tutoring
- The Family YMCA
- McCurdy Ministries
- Family Strengths Network
- Inside Out Recovery
- El Rito Public Library
- National Dance Institute NM
- Truchas Service Center
- Pueblo de Abiquiu Library & Cultural Center
- Mesa to Mesa
- Boys and Girls Club
- Cancer Foundation for New Mexico
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Rio Arriba Adult Literacy Program
- Lemonade Living
The UWNNM’s mission is to work in a United Way to improve the lives of children and families through service collaboration. Grant recipients each play an important role toward achieving that mission.
“I continue to be impressed by the outstanding service and commitment to community delivered daily in our region by our nonprofit partners,” Board President Martinez said. “They are amazing leaders who exemplify service to others – a valued characteristic we should all emulate.”
Learn more about the United Way of Northern New Mexico here.