Nusenda Foundation

About Nusenda Foundation

A defining feature of Nusenda Foundation’s grantmaking is its strong concentration in New Mexico, where 93% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. The foundation was established in 2015 to extend a credit union’s philanthropic and community outreach work, with a stated aim of improving education, health, and the social and economic conditions of the communities its members live in. That mission shows up across schools, health providers, food access groups, and community organizations. Recent awards include $95,000 to University of New Mexico Foundation Inc for the UNM STEM-H Center and the UNM Center for Financial Capability, and $40,000 to Banzai Inc for online financial education resources serving 30 schools. The foundation also backed community-serving organizations such as El Paso Community College Foundation, New Mexico State University Foundation Inc, and Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico Territory. Grants appear in a mix of education, health, financial education, emergency support, conservation education, and community service settings, with several awards tied to staffing, operational support, or multi-part program support rather than only restricted project costs.

What Nusenda Foundation Funds

Financial capability is a clear thread in Nusenda Foundation’s giving. It awarded $95,000 to University of New Mexico Foundation Inc for the UNM Center for Financial Capability, and $15,000 to Umoja Abq for Liberty in Financial Education - LIFE. A related award of $15,000 to New Mexico Child Advocacy Networks supported its Financial Education Innovation Awardee work. Education support ranges from early childhood through postsecondary. The foundation gave $15,000 to Libros for Kids Inc for Imagination Library in-home book delivery for children ages 0–5, and $15,000 to El Paso Community College Foundation for Dual Credit Accelerate Toward Graduation. It also funded Aps Education Foundation for Ventana Ranch Elementary SOAR with Inchy the Bookworm. Health grants include $15,000 to Changing Woman Initiative for general operations funding for midwifery care and community engagement, $15,000 to Dar a Luz Birth Health Center for operational support to hire an experienced midwife, and $15,000 to Texas Tech Foundation Inc for oral health care for children in El Paso and southern New Mexico. The foundation also supported environmental education and climate work through Hawks Aloft Inc and Talking Talons Youth Leadership.

How Nusenda Foundation Gives