New statewide fund to respond to COVID-19 launches with over $1.1 million
26 Mar 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nora Meyers Sackett
Press Secretary, Office of the Governor
nora.sackett@state.nm.us
March 26, 2020
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday announced a new fund established by the New Mexico Coalition of Community Foundations to help New Mexico respond to and eventually recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The All Together NM Fund will be used to address immediate needs and offer long-term support for the recovery work that lies ahead.
Pledges of more than $1.1 million from Ian and Sonnet McKinnon; Intel; Pattern Energy; Blattner Energy; and Tri State Generation and Transmission Association will seed the fund, which will be administered by the Santa Fe Community Foundation.
Donations to the fund will be tax-deductible and can be made through the website, http://www.AllTogetherNM.org.
“I encourage everyone who can give to do so – individuals, businesses and all those who care deeply about our great state. We need your help in the face of this threat,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said.
“The All Together NM Fund represents an unparalleled collaboration between the public and philanthropic sectors in New Mexico and at a time where working together is an absolute must. By aligning our efforts and coordinating resources in a way that listens and responds to the needs of communities, we are optimally equipped to meet the challenges before us,” she said.
The New Mexico Coalition of Community Foundations spearheaded the idea and will coordinate the fund. Its member organizations – the Albuquerque Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, the Santa Fe Community Foundation and the Taos Community Foundation -- will work with the larger philanthropic community across New Mexico; they will also consult with the State of New Mexico to determine the most urgent needs to be addressed through grantmaking.
The All Together NM Fund will provide a phased response to the pandemic. First, it will address immediate needs in New Mexico communities, including:
- Procurement of food and medical and cleaning supplies for at-risk communities
- Support for childcare workers who are supporting our front-line employees
- Grants to address income insecurity among smaller businesses and employees affected by COVID-19 disruptions
Later, the grantmaking process will shift to address income insecurity among affected workers and businesses and to fill gaps left by the government response. Finally, when the time comes, the fund will support recovery efforts.
Donors may contribute gifts of stock, property and electronic fund transfers by calling the Santa Fe Community Foundation at 505-988-9715. Gifts by check can be mailed to the Santa Fe Community Foundation, 501 Halona St., Santa Fe, NM 87505. (Please note “All Together NM Fund” on the check itself.) Text “together” to (505) 333-4714 to give or visit http://www.AllTogtherNM.org?