~ Grants leveraged additional out-of-state funding to four community groups this year ~
Santa Fe, NM — The 2021 Outdoor Equity Fund has catalyzed an additional $210,000 in private philanthropic out-of-state funding, the Outdoor Recreation Division announced today.
Four $20,000 Outdoor Equity Fund awards helped raise the profile of the awardees and attract philanthropic funds from The Schmidt Family Foundation’s 11th Hour Project based in California. Those grantees are the Semilla Project, Together4Brothers, Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, and the Center of Southwest Culture.
The Outdoor Equity Fund was created in 2019 to ensure equitable access to the outdoors, particularly for young people from underserved communities. It supports transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for lands, waters, and cultural heritage. This year, it awarded almost $900,000 to 57 organizations across the state who work to get youth 18 and younger outdoors.
The Schmidt Family Foundation’s 11th Hour Project has created a new grant making program to support powerful outdoor experiences and leadership training for young people. N² (pronounced N-squared) refers to the power of nurture and the power of nature. N² supports young people’s abilities to thrive through nature-based experiences, laying the groundwork for youth leadership in social and environmental responsibility.
The foundation invested $40,000 in the Semilla Project, $50,000 in Together4Brothers, $80,000 over two years to the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, and $40,000 to the Center of Southwest Culture’s Story Riders program.
“We’re thrilled to be able to support the important work of these groups in getting young people of color to lead and thrive outdoors through high-quality, culturally-relevant experiences in New Mexico,” Hannah Shulman, Program Manager for N2, said.
“Investments from the state in transformative outdoor recreation have enormous positive returns when it comes to equity, public health, and education,” ORD Director Axie Navas said. “They also catalyze out-of-state investments like this one from The Schmidt Family Foundation. People throughout the country are paying attention to the leadership in New Mexico.”
Find more information about the Outdoor Equity Fund on the ORD website. The 2022 grant cycle will open this spring.
The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s mission is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive. For more information about the New Mexico Economic Development Department visit edd.newmexico.gov.
Contact: Bruce Krasnow
Bruce.Krasnow@state.nm.us
505-795-0119
