This year we are awarding a total of $1.8 million in grants, which includes $1 million to strengthen maternal health outcomes as well as $650,000 to work toward health equity in New Mexico.
Con Alma Health Foundation will provide transformative grants to three nonprofits, along with technical assistance and capacity-building support. It will support organizations focused on perinatal care, workforce capacity, healthcare access, and overall maternal well-being – particularly in rural and tribal communities. Con Alma set aside $50,000 for one-time contributions to existing funds supporting maternal health in New Mexico. The $1 million investment comes from Con Alma’s $5 million gift from MacKenzie Scott.
“We are grateful to MacKenzie Scott, whose generous funding enabled us to explore ways to deepen our impact and take action to address health needs in New Mexico,” said Con Alma Board member Terri Tewart, MSN, RN. “Maternal health is a critical issue that impacts not just women, but children, families and entire communities.”
The 2023 grant recipients are:
- Project ECHO: $350,000 over two years to expand the Improving Perinatal Health (IPH) ECHO program, which provides training, technical assistance and mentorship to build the capacity of New Mexio’s healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities
- Searchlight New Mexico: $300,000 over three years, focused on investigative journalism and health issues and solutions impacting New Mexico, including maternal health
- Think New Mexico: $300,000 over three years to hire a healthcare reform director who will lead advocacy efforts for public policies that will improve the health of New Mexicans
“As a results-oriented think tank dedicated to improving the lives of New Mexicans, Think New Mexico develops and advocates for policy solutions to some of the most serious challenges facing New Mexicans,” said Think New Mexico’s Executive Director Fred Nathan, Jr. “Access to high-quality health care, including maternal health care, is a critical challenge for communities across the state. This grant will allow us to add to our team a local expert to develop innovative policy solutions to address that challenge and other health challenges facing New Mexico.”
Con Alma’s investment in maternal health fulfills its ongoing commitment to the well-being of all New Mexicans, said Denise Herrera, Con Alma’s executive director. “We recognize maternal health is a complex and broad issue encompassing early childhood outcomes, systems change, and equity. By addressing these challenges through this special initiative, we believe this will make a meaningful difference in maternal health outcomes for women and their families.”
In addition, Con Alma awarded $650,000 to work toward health equity in New Mexico, when everyone has equal opportunities to live a healthy life. Fundamental Needs is one of the 28 nonprofits receiving a $20,000 grant.
“Funding from Con Alma Health Foundation will help Fundamental Needs empower youth to bring clean running water and electricity to families and elders on the Navajo Reservation,” said Justice Ramos, executive director of Fundamental Needs.
Through Con Alma’s partnership with the Hospital Auxiliary for Los Alamos Medical Center, the Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group distributed $150,000 to nine organizations addressing health needs in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and northern Santa Fe counties. New Mexico Primary Care Training Consortium will receive $20,000 to train doctors to stay and practice in rural Rio Arriba County.
“Medicos de El Centro and NMPCTC are committed to creating a high-quality Family Medicine Residency Program in northern NM,” said Dr. Nora Lamartine, program director of the Medicos de El Centro Family Medicine Residency Program. “Our grant funds will support recruitment of exceptional teacher physicians, behavioral health educators, and resident physicians who are passionate about improving the health of rural New Mexicans.”
We congratulate our 2023 Grant recipients!
Follow the links below to learn more about this year’s grantees from each category.
Con Alma’s Statewide Grants, Supporting health systems strategies to address the needs of our diverse communities, and strengthening the capacity of New Mexico’s nonprofit sector (28 grants, totaling $650,000)
Northern New Mexico Health Grants Group, Promoting the health and wellness of the people of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and northern Santa Fe counties through a partnership between the Con Alma Health Foundation and the Hospital Auxiliary for Los Alamos Medical Center (9 grants, totaling $150,000)
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