News & Stories

Thank you to all who joined the Empower! Black Futures Community Fund at Santa Fe Community Foundation for Juneteenth commemorations in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We were grateful for the opportunity to come together as a community in remembrance, solidarity, and joy in honor of Black freedom and culture. This year marked a special moment for the Empower! Fund as it announced its inaugural round of grants in support of Black life, arts, and culture in New Mexico.

In the first of a special two-part Community Matters episode, host Sandra Session-Robertson sits down with Jhane Myers of the Native American Advised Fund, Marsie Silvestro of the Envision Fund (LGBTQ+), and Raashan Ahmad of the Empower! Black Futures Community Fund to explore the origins and guiding values of these powerful identity-based giving circles. Together, they discuss how each fund supports historically underserved communities to build a more equitable future for all of New Mexico.

SFCF donor Dorothy Bracey reflects on the transformative power of community-led philanthropy. Now a passionate supporter of the Santa Fe Community Foundation, she shares how the Learning Hub, the Community Leadership Fund, and legacy giving have deepened her connection to northern New Mexico. Her story is one of long-term commitment, thoughtful giving, and trust in the Foundation’s enduring mission.

Double the impact of your giving! We invite you to browse matching grant opportunities from nonprofits in our community.

As part of Juneteenth 2025, the Empower! Black Futures Community Fund of the Santa Fe Community Foundation is proud to announce its inaugural round of grantmaking. The grants, which total $37,500, support six organizations uplifting Black life, arts, and culture in New Mexico.

The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County is empowering the next generation of voters through its innovative High School Voter Registration Program. This student-driven initiative trains high schoolers as certified Voter Registration Agents (VRAs), equipping them to register their peers and foster civic leadership. In Fall 2024, nine student VRAs registered 500 new voters through school partnerships, friendly competitions, and mentorship—proving that youth-led outreach can meaningfully boost civic participation. With added focus on media literacy and combating misinformation, this program goes beyond registration to build informed, engaged citizens. By uniting students, educators, and community leaders, LWVSFC is laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive democracy.