Competitive Grant Program


Changes have been made to the criteria, eligibility and requirements for submitting a proposal. 

The Albuquerque Community Foundation receives many more worthy grant requests than we are able to support through competitive funds.  In an effort to respect the time of those applying for a grant, we continue to better define the criteria so you can determine if your organization is likely to qualify.  

Please review all guidelines to determine if your organization is a good match for funding. 

Eligible organizations include: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and public agencies located in the greater Albuquerque metropolitan area and that have been incorporated in the state of New Mexico for a minimum of 5 years – verified by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

The Board of Trustees and grant proposal review committees will evaluate proposals placing a high priority on well-established organizations that present grant proposals:

  • closely aligned with the Field-of-Interest descriptions explained on this page
  • include clearly defined organizational goals and measurable program outcomes
  • build on community, regional and organizational assets and strengths

Organizations should demonstrate their ability to work with other partners to identify community needs and gaps in services.  As a short-term funder providing relatively small grants, the Foundation recognizes the goals and outcomes discussed are likely to be initial or intermediate in nature and the long-term goals may be beyond the scope of a one-year grant. 

Please carefully consider the descriptions of these Fields-of-Interest to determine when to submit a proposal.  Also, please note that the total amount of grant dollars expected to be available in 2012 is $350,000. 

The Foundation has two deadlines in 2012: 

Deadline April 5th - Round 1 - proposals for organizations in the fields of Arts & Culture, Education and Environmental & Historic Preservation are considered.

Deadline July 12th - Round 2 - proposals addressing issues of Health and Human Services are considered. 

Within our fields-of-interest, the Foundation makes grants from funds that address specific issues such as programs including arts education in public schools, performing arts, mediation, domestic violence, direct services for the elderly and programs that encourage discussion and the study of ideas.

Through the collaboration of our donors with Advised Funds and Giving Circles we expect to have a total of about $350,000 available to fund grant proposals through the Competitive Grant Program with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.

By submitting a proposal to the Competitive Grant Program, you give The Foundation permission to share it with other interested funders (if any), both individuals and foundations, as well as to be included in various lists of applicant organizations on the Foundation’s website.