After four years of partnership with the LANL Foundation, Native Workforce Partners (NWP) is entering a new chapter— with the organizational capacity, infrastructure, and leadership to continue advancing workforce development and career opportunities for Native communities.
Building something that can stand on its own.
NWP began as a network of Tribal workforce leaders with trusted relationships and a shared vision, but limited resources to sustain and expand their work.
Rather than creating something new, the LANL Foundation chose to invest in what was already there—supporting NWP’s volunteer leadership as it built the organizational foundation needed to lead its own future.
From 2022 through 2026, the LANL Foundation provided strategic, operational, fundraising, communications, and organizational-development support. Together, the partners:
- Secured nearly $950,000 in philanthropic funding to support and grow NWP
- Developed NWP’s strategic plan and organizational identity
- Created a professional website and communications platform
- Expanded professional development opportunities for Tribal workforce leaders
- Strengthened partnerships with state agencies and philanthropic organizations
- Built organizational capacity in leadership, governance, funding, communications, and operations
- Facilitated NWP’s fiscal sponsorship with New Mexico Community Trust
- Supported the hiring of NWP’s first Executive Director, Teresa Quintana
Today, NWP brings together Tribal workforce leaders representing 14 WIOA Section 166 and Public Law 102-477 programs serving Native communities across New Mexico and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in Texas.