2025 Community Listening Report – Taos Community Foundation and Anchorum Health Foundation
On March 27, 2025, the Taos Community Foundation (TCF) and Anchorum Health Foundation co-hosted a Community Listening Session. The event aimed to identify shared priorities and explore how philanthropy can better support the health and wellness needs of Taos’ communities through the Anchorum Community Health Fund and TCF’s local grantmaking efforts. The overarching themes that emerged from the Listening Session illustrate not only what the community views as most pressing, but also how and why these concerns are deeply rooted in the lived experiences of local communities. Please note, the priorities are not linear or hierarchical; all are pressing needs. HOUSING ACCESS AND ECONOMIC STABILITY Limited access to affordable and secure housing significantly restricts employment opportunities, undermines workforce retention, and impedes broader economic development across the region. Housing Access was viewed as the most urgent community need in the Priority Ranking exercise. Rather than viewing housing as a stand-alone issue, participants repeatedly connected it to broader community challenges emphasizing that, “Affordable and safe housing needs to be addressed first, (Taos) is losing employees and skilled teachers,” as well as other essential professionals. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING Persistent gaps in behavioral health services is a multicultural and multi-generational challenge. These gaps disproportionately affect youth and individuals with substance use disorders, particularly in underserved and multicultural communities. Healthcare was identified as the top priority when asked to choose the most pressing need in Taos’ community. Discussions around behavioral health often centered on the significant and widespread impact of substance use disorders. YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEMS Robust youth and family social service systems, including navigation resources, are essential to community well-being. These services help address immediate needs, build long-term resilience, and disrupt inter-generational cycles of disadvantage. Perhaps the most unifying theme of the session was a deep care and concern for youth and families well-being. Whether a lack of behavioral health services, concerns of the school system, or the need for more family navigation resources, participants demonstrated a repeated desire to strengthen support services for Taos’ families and children. Additionally, food access emerged as a recurring topic, mentioned in every focus group discussion. YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEMS Ensuring reliable access to essential services, especially food security, is foundational to community health. These services contribute to greater social equity and support the broader infrastructure needed for long-term community resilience and prosperity. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT STEPS: Anchorum Community Health Fund: In Fiscal Year 2 of the Anchorum partnership, strategic efforts for the Anchorum Community Health Fund will focus on two priority areas: Behavioral Healthcare Access and Youth & Family Support Services. While distinct, these areas are deeply interconnected, particularly around the shared concern of youth and families’ access to mental health care. Addressing one effectively requires concurrent attention to the other. In order to target these areas, two regional working groups were created to translate community insights into actionable solutions. These working groups will offer a systems-level perspective on local structural barriers and regional policy challenges, making them well-positioned to propose solutions with the greatest potential for impact to the Anchorum program. Taos Community Foundation: Taos Community Foundation is committed to centering trust based philanthropy and community voice in our work. In response to community interest in better understanding our grantmaking process, we are developing and sharing resources about how Taos Community Foundation grants work. TCF has also simplified its grant application and reporting processes to be more focused and streamlined. To stay responsive to changing community needs, TCF will continue hosting conversations to gather input on evolving local priorities, donor interests, while fostering collaboration across the region. Read and download the Entire 30-Page Listening Session Report below: Click here to download this file. Read and download the Listening Session 1-Page Summary below: Click here to download this file.
Help Taos Families Weather the Federal Shutdown: Donate To The Fund for Taos
Help Taos Families Weather the Federal Shutdown: Donate to the Fund For Taos In response to the expiration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Taos Community Foundation is supporting local nonprofits that are helping families and individuals facing increased hardship, including food insecurity and financial strain. Our community created the Fund for Taos in 2020 to help our neighbors in times of urgent need—originally in response to the Covid-19 pandemic—and has since awarded 144 grants totaling more than $1.6 million through this fund to support local families. Every dollar contributed to the Fund for Taos supports local nonprofits responding to unmet needs in the community, which could include food, shelter, access to support services, and coordination between community networks. Currently, we are partnering with 100% Taos County Initiative and Taos Behavioral Health to distribute grocery and gas cards to families affected by the loss of SNAP benefits. If you’d like to contribute to the Fund for Taos to help the nonprofits providing essential support to our community, you can give online here, visit us in person to make life a little easier for Taoseños in need. Your generosity will directly support Taos families impacted by the loss of federal assistance so that they can continue to provide healthy meals for their children. TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE THE FUND FOR TAOS, CLICK HERE. For those in need of immediate assistance, the following food pantries and food banks are available throughout Taos County: TAOS St. James Episcopal Church208 Camino de Santiago, Taos • (575) 779-6715Every Thursday, 12:30–4:30 PMEmergency food boxes available. Shared Table – TaosEl Pueblito United Methodist Church1309 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, El PradoEvery 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM.Emergency Food Boxes available Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at El Pueblito Methodist Church. Shared Table – RanchosTalpa Community Center3 Archuleta Road, Ranchos de TaosEvery 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 2:00–3:00 PM. PEÑASCO La Jicarilla Food PantryPeñasco Community Center • (505) 480-3856Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 9:30 AM The SPOT – Food for Kids Program14156 State Rd., Peñasco • (575) 587-1792Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 1:00–3:00 PM (during school year)Emergency food boxes available. QUESTA North Central Food Pantry150 Embargo Rd., Questa • (575) 779-9194Every 2nd & 4th Friday, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM OJO CALIENTE (Mobile Pantry) Ojo Caliente Fire Station21 Los Bandos Drive, Ojo CalienteEvery 3rd Wednesday, 9:30–11:00 AM LITTLE FREE PANTRIES Supported by Taos Immigrant Allies and local sponsors. Locations: Fred Baca Park (south parking area) Gusdorf Park (by the Little Free Library/Bench) DreamTree Nest (off of Gusdorf Rd.) In front of First Presbyterian Church (next to Kit Carson Park) Mariposa Road (At the intersection of Mariposa & Kit Carson) Straight Arrow Road (by mailboxes) Arroyo Seco (behind the Holy Trinity Church rectory) Taos Library SCHOOL-BASED PANTRIES Enos Garcia Elementary305 Don Fernando St., Taos • (575) 737-6070 Ranchos Elementary School200 Sanders Ln., Ranchos de Taos • (575) 737-6150 Taos High School134 Cervantes St., Taos • (575) 751-8000 The SPOT (Peñasco)14156 State Rd., Peñasco • (575) 587-1792 Open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (during school hours August–May) ___ Emergency food is also available through the Nurturing Centers. For local families seeking assistance with utilities, please visit Kit Carson Electric at 118 Cruz Alta Rd. Taos, NM 87571. Together, we can help our Taos community access fresh, healthy food this month in the spirit of Thanksgiving! For more information about available resources, contact Taos Behavioral Health – The Nurturing Center at (575) 758-4297 or visit taosbehavioralhealth.org.
Taos Community Foundation and Anchorum Health Foundation Address Local Needs Through $380,000 of Grantmaking
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:July 16, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT:Alexei McGalliardAdvancement AssociateTaos Community Foundationamcgalliard@taoscf.org575-737-9300 Taos Community Foundation and Anchorum Health Foundation Address Local Needs Through $380,000 of Grantmaking Spring 2025 of TCF’s Partnership With the Anchorum Health Foundation Provides Funding to Organizations Addressing Access to Food, Social Services, and Education. Taos, NM — The Taos Community Foundation (TCF), in partnership with the Anchorum Health Foundation (Anchorum), is proud to announce the distribution of $380,000 in philanthropic grants to local organizations addressing food insecurity, access to social services, and education across Taos and Colfax counties. This funding will help ensure reliable access to essential services in our community, especially food security and education.This grant cycle marks the first phase of a five-year collaborative effort between Anchorum and TCF to address social determinants of health across northern New Mexico. The partnership, launched last year, is committed to supporting community-driven solutions that enhance well-being and quality of life.”Taos Community Foundation is leading the way in addressing the social factors that shape health in their region. We’re proud to partner with them,” said Jenny Parks, Senior Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy at Anchorum. This first round of funding was shaped by community listening sessions, data from the New Mexico Department of Health, and conversations with nonprofit partners. Using the lens of trust-based philanthropy and hearing from our partners directly, these grants are tailored to fit the needs of each organization. Within a collaborative grantmaking model, foundations are able to simplify grant applications and reporting requirements, and nonprofits are able to leverage their experience and resources to address the needs that matter most. According to CJ Grace, CEO of the Taos Community Foundation: “Each of our grantees’ communities have different needs. The goals of these grants were identified with each nonprofit partner trusting them to know their community and what works best. Involving nonprofits with identifying the goals for their work means they have the agency to do what will be most impactful for their local communities.” “Co-creating these grants through conversations with grant partners was a powerful way to better understand how these organizations are meeting their communities where they are,” said Maura Sharkey, the Anchorum Fellow at TCF. “The range of awards across Taos and Colfax counties shows that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges communities face. We’re grateful for the opportunity to support organizations that are driving meaningful, locally grounded solutions.” The organizations receiving funding are deeply embedded in their communities and play a vital role in addressing local needs. Their work is not only meaningful, but also creates lasting, positive change. Below are just a few examples that highlight the tangible impact these organizations are making: 100% Taos County Initiative (100% TCI) is an organization working on a spectrum of services needed at the county-wide level to reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Through a $200,000 award in this grant cycle, 100% TCI will continue to increase capacity for their action teams and development of a One-Stop Family Resource Center to increase access to 10 vital services. Taos Education Collaborative (TEC) creates networks of support that increase educational opportunities, engagement, and attainment—and remove barriers to the same—for all students. Through a $30,000 award in this grant cycle, along with braided funding from TCF, the Taos Ski Valley Foundation, and the Keeler Foundation, TEC will be able to continue their free summer camp for 150 local students, providing them with enriched programming and healthy meals. The funds awarded through the first year of this grantmaking partnership demonstrate the commitment of Anchorum and TCF to elevating the work of our partners and creating a caring community where all have the opportunity to thrive. The following organizations received awards through our first round of grant funding: Food Security and Food Pantries: Angel Fire: Always Loving Mankind (ALM) Food Pantry Carson: Santo Niño Food Bank Taos: El Pueblito UMC Shared Table Food Pantry Taos: First United Methodist Church Food Pantry Questa: North Central Food Pantry Questa Farmer’s Market Raton Hunger Pantry Capacity Building: Peñasco: Mas Comunidad — La Jicarita Food Bank Taos: St. James Food Pantry Taos: Talpa Community Center — Community Market Additional Grants: Taos Education Collaborative (TEC) 100% Taos County Initiative (100% TCI) The Taos Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization foundation, publicly supported by families, individuals, foundations, other nonprofits, and government entities and overseen by an independent, community-based board of directors. For more information, access www.taoscf.org. Anchorum Health Foundation is dedicated to improving the conditions that have the greatest influence on the health of communities in our region. We are committing our resources to strengthening community-based partners tackling critical local issues. For more information, visit anchorum.org. For more information, contact Alexei McGalliard, Advancement Associate, at amcgalliard@taoscf.org or call 575-737-9300. ### For more information, contact Alexei McGalliard, Advancement Associate, at amcgalliard@taoscf.org or call 575-737-9300. ### Uncategorized July 16, 2025
A Year-End Letter From Our CEO – 2024
A year-end letter from our CEO: As the year closes, Taos Community Foundation (TCF) celebrates the 30 years of philanthropy that we have shared with you—donors, nonprofit partners, and community members. Together, we have worked toward creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome to TCF. It has been a pleasure to see and hear the work of our donors and nonprofits both through giving and supporting the community. The creativity that comes from our nonprofit sector is extraordinary and seeing it first hand through site visits brings it to life in a special way. If you would like to connect for a visit, please reach out and let me know what works for you or your nonprofit. With your support, TCF proudly awarded over 500 grants totaling 1.3 million dollars to nonprofits in 2024. Some of our grantmaking efforts went toward elevating arts and culture, strengthening educational opportunities for our students, promoting community-wide health and wellness, caring for the environment, and providing animal welfare to our fuzzy friends. TCF is community-based, with a local board of directors and local committee members who volunteer their time and expertise to guide grant-making decisions. Additionally, our amazing staff serve as the heart of the Foundation, and are here to serve you. Donating through Taos Community Foundation means that your gift stays in the community, and helps your local neighbors. Anyone can be a philanthropist, and as we look ahead towards the new year, we invite you to elevate your giving by making a year-end gift. When you give to TCF, you are investing in your local community and the causes you care about. You can be part of our future by participating in this year’s annual giving campaign. Donors can offer unrestricted gifts to TCF to help us support the most immediate needs in our community, direct support for nonprofit organizations, or field of interest funds to address specific causes that you care about. TCF also offers donor-advised funds, individualized planned giving, legacy gifts, gifts of real property, a women’s giving circle, and more. We can help you find the perfect giving avenue through our existing funds, or a program crafted just for you. We are deeply grateful for your trust and commitment over the years. These relationships enable us to navigate the needs of the community and build the connections to meet those needs. With your help, we can continue uplifting and supporting the community we share. If you are interested in making a year-end gift to the Foundation, you can donate today by visiting our website, or filling out the remittance envelope attached to this letter. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. Here’s to the next 30 years of giving, growth, and collective impact. De la comunidad, para la comunidad. (From the community, for the community.) In gratitude, CJ Grace Chief Executive Officer Elevating Philanthropy, One Project At A Time. Taos Community Foundation is proud to showcase a few projects from the past year, and we hope that you will join us on our mission by giving to our year-end campain! Ridge-a-Thon Raises Record Funding During our 2024 Ridge-A-Thon event, Taos Community Foundation raised a record-breaking $61,300 for our Emergency Medicines Fund, which was granted to non-profits that provide equitable access to healthcare and services for local residents. This year’s grant recipients included Holy Cross – Taos Cancer Support Services (TCSS), Rio Grande ATP, and Taos Elders and Neighbors Together (TENT). With the help of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and skiers, we were able to host the event for the 28th year, continuing a beloved Taos tradition. Educational Summer Camp at Enos Garcia Elementary This past summer, several community partners, including Taos Community Foundation, saw a need and came to the table asking how they could help children and their families during summer break. This discussion led to the development of a free three-week long summer camp for fifty students offered by Taos Educational Collaborative (TEC) at Enos Garcia Elementary School. This summer camp filled a gap for many working families in our community, and represents best how collaboration and care make all the difference. Partnership with UNM-Taos to Offer A Grant Writing Class During the summer of 2024, Taos Community Foundation and UNM Taos partnered to host a free grant writing class for 16 local nonprofits, educators, interns, and students. This project reflects one of the ways that the Taos Community Foundation supports capacity building and educational attainment across our local communities. Students, interns and staff members alike were able to build their knowledge and skills within the grant writing and non-profit spheres, providing an accessible pathway toward organizational stability and growth. Want To Help Us Continue Projects Like These? Donate to our year-end campaign by clicking here. If you have questions about making a donation, please reach out to our team by calling (575)-737-9300 or emailing info@taoscf.org.
Read our 2024 Annual Report
Taos is a community rich in diversity, with a unique blend of cultures, languages, and heritage that defines our shared identities. At Taos Community Foundation, we’re proud to have been connecting people who care with causes that matter for over thirty years. Our vision is to connect people and opportunities, generating resources to build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. During our shared time at TCF, it has been a privilege to connect more deeply with the care and engagement throughout our community. It’s not only about understanding the local landscape; it’s also about witnessing the time and heart that donors and nonprofits pour into their work. This dedication shows up in everyone’s efforts, whether it’s improving the lives of our elders and children, protecting the environment, or preserving the rich heritage of our region. Our collective effort shows a commitment to making our community a better place for everyone. While the annual report highlights the statistics of our work, it’s the people in the communities across Taos and western Colfax counties that truly tell our story. Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of awarding 513 grants and scholarships, totaling over $1.3M. Being involved in these partnerships is at the heart of our work, as we bring forward creative voices, local expertise, and generosity that strengthens our entire community. Thank you for your support! Open User Map This block will show your Locations on a map in the front end. Click on the map to interact with our granting locations. Loading………. The Data is Not Available Loading………. The Data is Not Available TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED No Data Found TOTAL FOUNDATION ASSETS No Data Found GIFTS RECEIVED No Data Found Look for a copy of our annual report in today’s (11/7/2024) Taos News. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more, call us at 505-737-4300.
For the Community, By the Community.
For the Community, By the Community Written for the Taos News by Ellen Miller-Goins and TCF Staff Taos Community Foundation (TCF) helps donors and nonprofits make a tangible difference in Taos, by bringing them together to fund causes that matter to them and to the local community. TCF is community-based, with a local board of directors and volunteers. TCF’s mission is to connect people and opportunities through nonprofits to build a more creative, caring and thriving community. TCF invests in Taos and western Colfax counties through grants, scholarships, and supporting collaborative community efforts. As the foundation reaches its 30th anniversary, TCF’s accomplishments speak for themselves: A record-breaking $5.1 million total grants given to 536 nonprofits in 2023, $21.1 million in assets and $111,000 in scholarships. With 6 staff members, 15 TCF board members, 18 TCF board emeritus members, 6 Taos Property Foundation board members, and a dedicated group of volunteers, it takes a large team to represent our diverse community. Speaking about Foundation staff, board member Michael Santistevan said, “What I find really amazing is all the work that they do. They’re inviting more and more folks into the foundation to share what the foundation does, how it helps the community, and how everyone can participate. They’re finding what the gaps are and learning how they can help address those gaps.” CJ Grace, a former Taos Schools educator who was hired to lead the philanthropic organization in February, noted, “Tanner Martin, our Director of Community Impact, heard from community members and committees that there weren’t very many students applying for TCF scholarships.” To address that problem, Martin convened a series of meetings to listen to the community including students, educators from the high schools, UNM – Taos, and donors to understand the needs. Using that feedback, TCF staff created a more streamlined scholarship application process, including a revamped webpage, and physical QR code cards that were distributed across the county. This, combined with visits to local high schools, raised student awareness of the opportunities. As a result, there was a significant increase in this year’s applications from a wider pool of applicants. Board Chair George Jaramillo, who has served with the Foundation’s board since 2013, expressed his pride in this aspect of the Foundation’s efforts. “TCF scholarships are very dear to my heart, because when I was going through school, I was an average student, so I never got scholarships. We see some very sad stories when we look at those scholarship applications, and you know that they’re really needing funds, whether it’s for a vocational school or a degree track. We [want to] make sure that everybody has a chance to get a scholarship if they want to go to school.” Emeritus Board Member Eleanor Romero, who now serves on a TCF scholarship committee, added many of the scholarships the Foundation awards started as gifts from the community. “These scholarships were originally created by private individuals and families who decided that they wanted to contribute their money to advance the education of our young people.” She proudly pointed to Foundation’s role in bringing Community Schools to Taos. “Now, Community Schools has grown to such an extent that it’s going to be countywide. This new coalition involves [Taos Municipal School District], Peñasco, the two pueblos, the town, and the county.” A little over halfway through 2024, the foundation has already awarded over $272,000 to local nonprofits and charitable projects, and $100,000 to 24 area students. Recent projects include developing a summer camp with community partners for working families. Nonprofit partners saw a need and came to the table asking how they could help the children and families, leading to the development of a free three-week long summer camp for 50 students offered by Taos Educational Collaborative at Enos Garcia Elementary School. Additionally, partnering with the Anchorum Foundation will bring new funding to the nonprofit community to positively impact the social determinants of health. Confidence in the Foundation’s work is evident in the praise of Jaramillo, Santistevan, and Romero. “I think one of the things that I’m really impressed with the Community Foundation is how they impact our community from infants all the way to elderly people,” Romero said. “I mean, everybody in this community is impacted by this organization.” Alexei McGalliard, Foundation Advancement Associate, noted, “That’s what we do. We help incubate charitable ideas that benefit the community until they’re ready to take off and fly on their own.” Santistevan concluded, “It’s cool to highlight all the big things that TCF is doing, but I love all the things that they’re doing when nobody’s watching too. Beyond the recognition for the bigger projects and grants, it’s also those direct, often unseen, people-helping grants that make the foundation special for me.” TCF is doing incredible work, making a meaningful impact in our community. Whether your passion is protecting the environment, supporting the LGBTQ+ community, increasing the educational access for local students, or anything else—TCF can help you meet your unique philanthropic goals. Beyond opportunities to volunteer your time and talent or donate to support programs, you will find a group of people who care deeply about Taos and are active in making the vision of a thriving community a reality by working together. Join us in supporting our community and help us make a difference. De la comunidad, para la comunidad. Read the Success Story on Taos News, by clicking here. For more information, or to learn how you can invest in the mission of Taos Community Foundation, contact TCF Staff at info@taoscf.org. Taos Community Foundation115 La Posta Rd. Suite ATaos, NM 87571 www.taoscf.org575-737-9300info@taoscf.org
Congratulations Taos School Zone!
Taos School Zone In 2015, Taos School Zone, a collective-impact initiative that is a special project of Taos Community Foundation, began meeting with and surveying teachers, nonprofit organizations, school administrators, and community members to begin to understand their perspectives on the challenges to education in Taos County. We were asked by those groups to create a collective-impact report. This report contains observations gleaned from these interactions and sets forth ideas for a different model, one that might make it easier to put students and teachers at the forefront. Read the Taos School Zone Collective Impact Report here. This document represents the culmination of the extensive work done by TSZ in the six years since it’s founding. It is a document that asks, “What If?” we worked together as a community to remove some of the roadblocks our children face in achieving an excellent and equitable education. We, and our sponsor Taos Community Foundation, look forward to the community discussions that will be generated as a result of this work, and to seeing them move forward in the coming years. At this time, having accomplished so much as a TCF special project, Taos School Zone will step back from its active role in the community. We very much appreciate the work of the TSZ Advisory Council members (past and present) as well as the members of our support teams, and are especially grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve received from the entire Taos County community over the past five years. In addition to publishing the Taos County Education Snapshot, Taos School Zone’s accomplishments include: Kickstarting the community school movement in Taos County, resulting in more than $1 million of funding for Taos County schools and providing essential support services for students and their families; Developing the interactive an website, which gathers in one place for educators and parents valuable information about nonprofits who serve schoolkids; Providing significant support for teachers, including funding board certification and professional development, and conducting social and emotional wellness surveys of teachers and staff; Creating a series of mindfulness videos for use by teachers and staff during the COVID pandemic; Regularly convening nonprofits, resulting in countless collaborations that help them work more effectively. We hope and believe that publishing the Taos County Education Snapshot will help every member of our community understand the critical need for community involvement in our education system, and will inspire new leadership to step forward and take action on the areas outlined in the report. Sincerely, Taos School Zone Advisory Council Taos School Zonewww.schoolzonetaos.org Taos School Zone was a collective impact project, a special project of Taos Community Foundation, PO Box 1925, Taos NM 87571.