25 Things You've Always Wanted to Know

Unlike nonprofits that focus exclusively on one are of community and economic development, we support a range of community activities. As a result, we often see overlooked community connections — the whole is greater than the sum of its many parts.

We can offer flexibility to respond at the right time in the right way to a community challenge, predicting when a strategic convening, a small grant or key collaboration might result in positive, systematic community change.

We are one of only a few institutions whose job it is to bring diverse, sometimes divergent community members together in a neutral setting.

Because TCF can match charitable resources with community opportunities, we can handle all sides of a program transaction, from convening around a challenge, to providing donor services, to establishing funding streams, to leveraging resources (outside foundations, government, business), to building the capacity of organizations to do the work.

When you donate to an endowment, your contribution works forever to support the issues that matter most to you. After your death, your gift continues to help. Even a person of modest means can leave a lasting legacy to our city and region.

We help people give where they live, in communities throughout Taos and western Colfax counties.

We identify community needs and generate solutions. We introduce donors to organizations with similar dreams. We do the homework and the legwork so you can have the good feeling that comes with making a difference in your community.

Last year, we awarded more than $1.5 million in grants and products to 85 nonprofits who improve community life. In 6 years, we have contributed $3.3 million to the community in the form of grants and products to nonprofits.

Endowment funds start small and grow. You can give knowing that we will be working for a better Taos, forever. When community needs change — even needs that we cannot fathom today — our programs will change in response.

We're structured to make giving simple. You can establish a fund, address a community need, name us in your will, leave a life insurance policy or real estate. We are effective and flexible.

With some 200 nonprofits in our area, it can be tough to figure out where to give. We get to know our local charitable organizations and introduce donors to their work. We identify community needs and generate solutions. We introduce donors to organization s with similar dreams. We do the homework and the legwork so you can have the good feeling that comes with making a difference in your community.

You can choose to make a gift to benefit local nonprofits now and we can help you decide where your contribution will do the most good.

Like your personal savings, our 70 funds grow. In 6 years, we have turned an initial investment of $500, plus many thousands of subsequent donations, into $3.3 million in endowments working for the community today.

We are home to several funds, including the Emergency Medicines Fund, that help neighbors with medical bills. We work with community foundations across the country so that local residents can participate in national crisis response.

We offer financial support to nonprofits making a difference in the arts, civic affairs, education, environment and health and human services, as well as those that serve Native Americans, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, immigrants, the elderly, at-risk youth and many others.

You don't have to give now. You can leave assets — such as a home, retirement fund or life insurance policy — to the community in your estate. You can choose issues or specific nonprofits that you would like to support after you are gone.

Our donors are working people, families and small business owners who contribute gifts of $25, $50 and $100. What they share is a desire to lift the lives of their fellow citizens and see change in their community.

By combining your resources with others who share your interests, you maximize modest contributions and take advantage of our expertise and low administrative costs.

Each year our grants committee, composed of community volunteers from many professions and walks of life, reviews hundreds of applications, visits nonprofits, and makes thoughtful decisions about which organizations to fund. We review final reports to understand the impact and change in the community.

Collaborating with others ensures that the best minds are put to use generating wise solutions. In partnership with the national organization Hispanics in Philanthropy, we joined with other funders to train Latino leaders of local nonprofits.

Individual nonprofits focus on specific issues, but the Foundation's role is to study the community as a whole. With your input, we develop grant making and other programs that address the most pressing needs of our people.

We offer workshops, coaching and mentoring to help local charitable organizations work more effectively. Smarter nonprofits make better use of their financial gifts, volunteers and staff. They are invaluable assets to our community.

An educated resident makes better decisions about how and where to give. We work with donors to learn more about the problems we face as a community and to generate solutions.

Rather than set up your own foundation, avoid the complications and let us handle the workload. We offer low administrative costs, tax advantages and 25 years of experience meeting community needs.

Gifts to the Taos Community Foundation are tax-deductible. We also offer a range of ways, from charitable gift annuities to help with IRA rollovers, that can save you money while also benefiting the community.