Empty Stocking Fund
About this fund
For more than four decades, the Empty Stocking Fund at Santa Fe Community Foundation, presented in partnership with The Santa Fe New Mexican, has made the last season of the year brighter for people experiencing financial challenges in Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties. The fund provides assistance with essential expenses, including housing, utilities, medical and dental care, and home and car repairs. Applications for assistance will open December 1, 2026.
Donate today
Help delivered. Hope shared.
Your generosity makes the Empty Stocking Fund possible. Donations are accepted year-round and provide critical assistance to neighbors facing financial challenges in Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties.
Ways to give
- Donate online
- Give by check. Please make checks payable to the Empty Stocking Fund and mail to:
The Empty Stocking Fund
c/o Santa Fe Community Foundation
P.O. Box 1827
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827 - Give stock. To make a stock contribution, contact giving@santafecf.org or call 505.988.9715.
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Apply for assistance
Applications for support open December 1, 2026.
The Empty Stocking Fund provides eligible residents of Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties with up to $1,200 in assistance for essential expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, medical and dental bills, and home and car repairs.
A link to apply for support will be available on this webpage beginning December 1, 2026. Before applying, we encourage you to review the eligibility requirements and gather the necessary documentation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Empty Stocking Fund?
The Empty Stocking Fund is an emergency assistance program managed by the Santa Fe Community Foundation in partnership with the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Who does the fund help?
Each year, hundreds of people who have zip code residence in Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties can receive up to $1,200 from the fund during the winter season to help cover rent payments, medical bills, utility costs, car repairs, home improvements, and other needs.
How does the application process work?
Interested persons are invited to submit an online application. For requests to be funded, applicants need to meet the eligibility guidelines and obtain required documentation. Grants are made via PayPal or direct to the applicant’s bank account via Wise.
When can I apply for assistance?
Applications open on December 1 each year, while cash donations are accepted year-round.
Where can I find more information about eligibility and application requirements?
Check out the FAQs page for applicants to review eligibility requirements and gather documents.
How can I prepare my application?
Get video tips on submitting a successful request.
Become part of the story: Donate to Empty Stocking Fund
Each winter, one of the clearest examples of how our community shows up for one another is the Empty Stocking Fund. This year, your generosity can go twice as far in helping our neighbors in need. Thanks to $65,000 in matching support from the Anderson Charitable Foundation and Anchorum Health Foundation, your early contribution to the Empty Stocking Fund will be matched dollar for dollar.
donate today
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Your contribution matters!
