Funding supports children and families, educators, middle school students, and youth pursuing career and work-based learning opportunities
The LANL Foundation has provided $1.2 million in grants across Northern New Mexico, reflecting a new strategic approach to strengthening education, workforce development, and opportunity for children, youth, families, and educators.
The grants represent the first year of the Foundation’s redesigned strategy, moving beyond traditional annual grantmaking toward intentional funding that builds long-term partnerships and measurable community impact.
“To create meaningful, multi-generational change in Northern New Mexico, we must move beyond traditional one-year funding cycles,” said Gwen Perea Warniment, President and CEO of the LANL Foundation. “Our hope is that this funding allows us to walk alongside, or better yet, follow our partners, providing the sustained resources necessary to strengthen schools and nonprofits, elevate educators, invest in families, and empower our youth for years to come.”
The Foundation’s initial, targeted grantmaking process this year prioritized organizations doing work aligned with the Foundation’s five strategic priorities -which came from community- ensuring that funding furthers the mission of supporting and advancing education, learning, and opportunity throughout Northern New Mexico. Foundation grants are further aligned with specific community priorities, geographic equity, and long-term outcomes. This approach emphasizes collaboration, but more importantly, trust and relationships. Several organizations were selected for two-year grants, providing greater stability for organizations and allowing them to focus on long-term implementation and measurable outcomes.
Notable grants include partnerships with the Northern New Mexico Youth Fund, the Indigenous Science Initiative, and APRENDE. The LANL Foundation is supporting the Youth Fund for a second year and serving as its backbone organization; partnering with NACA Inspired Schools Network through the Indigenous Science Initiative to expand community-driven STEM education; and working with APRENDE to strengthen the early childhood educator workforce.
The following organizations and projects have been selected for funding:
Expanding Quality Childcare
Expanding access to high-quality childcare for rural and Tribal communities in Northern New Mexico by creating early learning opportunities particularly focused on underserved families.
- APRENDE (Santa Fe Community College Foundation) — $100,000 for expanding early childhood teacher apprenticeships and strengthening the early childhood workforce.
- Keres Children’s Learning Center — $100,000 for supporting Keres language immersion, culturally grounded Montessori education, and Pueblo language revitalization.
Championing Family Leadership
Funding programming that targets families most in need of support to stabilize child well-being and strengthen student outcomes.
- Chicanos Por La Causa — $30,000 for supporting workforce development, leadership development, and career pathways to support families in our region.
- Expanding Opportunities By Connecting Work-Based Learning and Young Parent Support — $34,000 for particularly supporting young parents in building career pathways and greater financial security.
• Institute for Computing in Research — $4,000
• Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project — $4,000
• Future Focused Education — $20,000
• Regional Development Corporation — $2,000
• Localogy — $4,000
Elevating the Education Profession
Funding mentorship, innovative staffing models, and policies to improve the career pathways that stimulate the profession and support early-career educators.
- Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching— $200,000 for strengthening the educator pipeline through recruitment, preparation, mentoring, and teacher retention.
- LANL Math Teacher Leader Network — $39,200 for building teacher leadership and strengthening mathematics instruction across Northern New Mexico.
- New Mexico National Board Certified Teacher Network, Inc. — $36,500 for supporting educators pursuing National Board Certification through the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 certification cycles.
Investing in Middle School
Using our voice and influence to strengthen policies, systems, and funding in ways that will help all children, students, families, and educators thrive, have equitable access to resources and knowledge, and become the best advocates for themselves and their communities; develop and maintain strong, trusting relationships to establish a shared vision for transformational change
- Indigenous Science Initiative — $89,500 for STEM education that honors Indigenous knowledge while expanding opportunities for all students, educators, and Tribal communities.
- Northeast Regional STEM Hub at New Mexico Highlands University — $30,000 for expanding equitable STEM learning opportunities and educator partnerships throughout the Northern New Mexico region.
- National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education — $100,000 for launching a Pueblo-led behavioral health initiative serving Bureau of Indian Education schools.
Advancing Work-Based Learning and Youth Leadership
Funding well-designed internships, work-based learning, transition supports that help students move from education into college and careers, and youth leadership programs specifically for underserved youth. Focusing flexible post-secondary scholarships and mentorship programs on underserved youth at risk of disengaging from education and career opportunities.
- Northern New Mexico Youth Fund (New Mexico Community Trust) — $300,000 for supporting the Northern New Mexico Youth Fund, a youth-led regional initiative focused on work-based learning, youth leadership, and career pathways.
- Rural Opportunities for College Access (ROCA) — $100,000 for increasing college access and success for rural, first-generation students.
- Future Focused Education — $75,000 for expanding paid internships and career-connected learning experiences through the X3 Program.
These grants reflect the LANL Foundation’s commitment to the people and organizations working to expand educational opportunities throughout Northern New Mexico.