Fund has Awarded $400,000 Since December 2019

NMOGA Press Release | November 4, 2021

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, November 4, 2021 – The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s (NMOGA) Brighter Future Fund today announced $100,000 in grant awards to 15 New Mexico non-profit organizations in support of efforts to expand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs and other educational initiatives, increase economic opportunity, and reduce hunger. Since 2019, the Brighter Future Fund has awarded more than $400,000 to non-profits serving communities across New Mexico.

“We are proud to support the work of these 15 organizations because of how critical they are to the success of the communities and populations they serve,” said Leland Gould, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. “Helping our next generation of children learn, expanding opportunities for our workforce, and providing relief to those in need of a warm meal are just some of the ways the Brighter Future Fund helps our fellow New Mexicans. These are game-changing organizations, and the oil and natural gas industry is here to ensure they keep pushing New Mexico forward today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”

The 15 organizations receiving grants in the fund’s final 2021 round are:

Big Brother Big Sisters Mountain Region, $7,500 to support education;

Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad, $7,500 to increase economic opportunity;

Changing Lives Coalition, $5,000 to support education;

El Caldito, $5,000 to reduce hunger;

Inspired by Science, $5,000 to support STEM education;

Lincoln County Adult Literacy, $10,000 to support education;

New Mexico State University Foundation, $10,000 to support education;

Albuquerque Adult Learning Center, $5,000 to increase economic opportunity;

Best Chance, $5,000 to increase economic opportunity;

Career Guidance Institute’s ABQ Reads, $5,000 to support education;

Centro Savila, $10,000 to reduce hunger;

East Central Ministries, $5,000 to reduce hunger;

New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation, $5,000 to support STEM education;

Sofia Center for Professional Development, $10,000 to support education; and

Veterans Integration Center, $5,000 to reduce hunger.

Beth Hoffman, executive director of Big Brother Big Sisters Mountain Region said, “We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with NMOGA, and the Brighter Future Fund. Being awarded these grant funds will allow us to expand our program more efficiently across southern New Mexico. Partnerships like these are so important to the growth of programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters. Thank you for being ‘Defenders of Potential,’ NMOGA!”

"Lincoln County Adult Literacy greatly appreciates the partnership with the Brighter Future Fund and NMOGA as this funding will enable us to serve the literacy needs of the most underserved adults in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache reservation. This funding supports literacy tutoring for historically challenged ethnic groups as well as the rural poor. By funding an assistant coordinator position, the BFF will expand our program's ability to improve the quality of life for adults in the community,” said Dr. Robin Quinn Gilton, program coordinator, Lincoln County Adult Literacy.

Bobby Ehrig, CEO of the Veterans Integration Center added, “We are honored to receive this grant from New Mexico Oil and Gas Association through their Brighter Future Fund. The funding will allow us to continue to provide home delivered food resources to the disabled, seniors, and Veteran families living in Bernalillo County who would otherwise be food insecure. By providing this basic and essential need, the VIC is helping to reduce the over 26% of food insecurity in our county that has been proven to cause increased medical conditions when not provided adequate, healthy food for a nutritionally-balanced meal each day to members of the community.”

“We are deeply grateful for your generous gift from the Brighter Future Fund and for your belief in the essential and life-giving work of educators in our communities. As we emerge from the pandemic, the need for inspired and relevant professional development for educators is more poignant than ever.  Your gift makes a significant contribution to our capacity to serve and support teachers and school leaders during this challenging time. From the heart, thank you,” said Sheryl Chard, founder and director of the Sofia Center for Professional Development.

The Brighter Future Fund is supported by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institute (API), and their members. The Albuquerque Community Foundation administers the application and award processes and helps ensure funds are invested strategically in communities throughout New Mexico.

For more information about the awardees, guidelines, and application process, please visit https://www.nmoga.org/brighterfuturefund.

NMOGA is a coalition of more than 1,000 oil and natural gas companies and individuals operating in the state of New Mexico. NMOGA is the oldest and largest organization representing the oil and gas industry in New Mexico and its members include all facets of oil and natural gas production, transportation, and delivery. The oil and natural gas industry is the greatest economic contributor to the state of New Mexico, supporting more than 134,000 jobs and $19 billion in annual economic activity. Taxes and royalties from the industry account for 33.5% of the New Mexico’s annual state budget, including nearly $1.4 billion for education.

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