Q&A with Las Campanas Community Grant Fund
Please tell us about the history of the fund. When was it formed? What inspired its creation?
The Las Campanas Community Grants Funds was established nearly 25 years ago as a means for members of The Club at Las Campanas to take philanthropic action together to support local nonprofits in the greater Santa Fe area. To date, more than $4M in grants to nonprofits has been awarded ($1.1M in 2024 alone).
What types of organizations or causes does the fund support? Why are they important to you?
The Las Campanas Community Funds support greater Santa Fe area nonprofits serving in areas of education, health, and human services, and provides scholarships to eligible students pursuing their goals in higher education.
Can you share a story about a recent grant, project, or milestone that had a particularly meaningful impact?
In 2024, we achieved a key milestone of awarding $1M to area nonprofits because of increased donations from members of The Club. Our all-volunteer board has worked hard to understand the interests and philanthropic objectives of our members and to align our outreach efforts with our donors’ intent. This has resulted in a significant increase in donations over the past four years. Our grants have grown from $203,000 in 2020 to $600K in 2022 to $1.1M in 2024. The members of the Club at Las Campanas strive to make a difference in the community.
What do you value about your partnership with the Santa Fe Community Foundation, and how has it helped you fulfill your philanthropic goals?
The Las Campanas Community Funds board and volunteers bring tremendous energy, skills, and passion to our mantra of Changing Lives Together: Supporting Education, Improving Health and Enhancing Human Services.
We are an all-volunteer organization comprised of members of The Club at Las Campanas and as such, we rely on the support of SFCF to be our administrative partner in serving local nonprofits and scholars.
We particularly appreciate the strong support of staff members Diane Hamamoto, Director, Grants & Community Impact, and Diane Addis, Development Associate. They have provided sustaining support to LCCF as we increase our community impact and continue to pursue our strategic goals.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of the fund and its role in strengthening the community?
We hope to achieve a sustained level of giving at least $1M annually to nonprofits in the greater Santa Fe area. Our members have shown a willingness and strong interest in collective philanthropy that can be well served through LCCFs approaches, and we are committed to maintaining their trust and support so that we may serve and improve lives of those in need in the Santa Fe community.
The Las Campanas Community Grant Fund is a component fund of the Santa Fe Community Foundation.
Q&A with Andrew Rudnick
We sit down with Andrew Rudnick, a seasoned philanthropic leader and fund advisor at the Santa Fe Community Foundation. Andrew’s journey into philanthropy is deeply rooted in personal experiences and shaped by extensive involvement in community foundations. "Community foundations use their staff and general operating funds to leverage what the donors believe in... They also bring generations of families together around philanthropy. The results are an exponential increase in philanthropic impact."
Q&A with Kelly Pope
With a background in educational technology and building curriculum for teachers and students, SFCF fund advisor Kelly Pope is no stranger to the transformative power of education. "There’s so much work to do here in northern New Mexico and it's exciting to work with change makers who have an aligned vision around helping students and families thrive."
Q&A with Alex Hanna
In 2013, Alex Hanna and his husband Yon Hudson sued the Santa Fe County Clerk to be legally married. Soon after, he was introduced to the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Envision Fund, New Mexico's first and largest fund dedicated to LGBTQ+ causes.
