For Immediate Release January 24, 2023SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s Brighter Future Fund announced $45,000 in grant awards to six New Mexico non-profit organizations in support of their efforts to expand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, increase economic opportunity, and reduce hunger in communities across New Mexico. The awards complete the Brighter Future Fund’s year of grantmaking, having awarded more than $115,000 to New Mexico non-profits. 

“The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association is happy to support the incredible work these non-profit organizations are doing in our communities,” said Doug Ackerman, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. “NMOGA began the Brighter Future Fund to help all our neighbors and our hope is help move New Mexicans forward in their lives.” 

The six organizations receiving awards include Inspired by Science to support STEM Education; HopeWorks to support efforts to reduce hunger; MANYMOTHERS in support of efforts to reduce hunger; New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation’s Agriculture in the Classroom, to support STEM education; New Mexico OUT Business Alliance, to increase economic opportunities; and the Read “Write” Adult Literacy Program to support education. 

Read "Write" Adult Literacy Program has been serving the Estancia Valley, East Mountain, and surrounding communities since 2001, offering basic adult literacy and ESL/ELL instruction as well as citizenship and GED preparedness through free one-to-one tutoring by certified volunteers in Torrance County and surrounding communities and they work to cater to a student's particular goal set whether they are seeking to get a promotion at work or just want to be able to read their children a bedtime story. Functional illiteracy severely limits an individual's prospects in life and impacts nearly every facet of their day-to-day lives, from economic standing to health. 

“I am grateful for our grant from NMOGA,” said Fabiola Meléndez, Executive Director of Read “Write” Adult Literacy. “We were on the brink of closing our program, and this grant could have not come at a better time. We are so thankful.”

New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom is the educational outreach program of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation whose mission is to promote agricultural awareness, understanding, and a positive public perception through education and information for all of New Mexico. They widely promote eLearning opportunities for use by New Mexico teachers.

“With the Brighter Future Fund grant, New Mexico Ag in the Classroom has an opportunity to expand agriculture and natural resources education and learning experiences for K-12 students across the state,” said Elizabeth Foster, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau CEO. “Agriculture is a STEM based industry needing individuals who will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills daily. We strive to bring agriculture and natural resource education to all students in New Mexico and highlight potential careers available to the students.” 

HopeWorks assists people experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness by providing resources, opportunities, and hope. They aim to end homelessness, one person, and one family at a time. They treat everyone with dignity and respect, and most importantly, offer them hope for a better tomorrow. Funding will help support HopeWorks Day Shelter which provides basic needs for people experiencing homelessness to thousands of individuals each year. Clients can receive free nutritionally balanced meals, clothing, hygiene items, access to restrooms, long-term storage, phone usage, and mail services. The Day Shelter also provides critical access to additional support services in the community and within the agency, including case management and multiple housing programs. 

Inspired by Science promotes science education at the elementary school level in hopes of inspiring students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields. The organization hosts an annual summer camp with hands-on activities geared toward encouraging the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Funding will help purchase the supplies necessary for workshops, camps, and demonstrations that are part of STEM Outreach. The organization is impacting more kids every year through their expansion efforts, which naturally gives rise to more expenses.

Many Mothers contributes to the health and wellbeing of communities by providing physical, emotional, and practical support to any family following the birth or adoption of a new baby. Their Farm-to-Families Program, launched as a response to COVID-19, assessed families and learned that many were experiencing significant income instability and food insecurity. All families have at least one child aged 0- 24 months, and most have more than one child. Funding will be used for general programming and to purchase fresh foods from local sources and/or provide grocery gift cards to income eligible families.

The New Mexico Out Business Alliance cultivates certified LGBTQ+ diverse suppliers, connects them to opportunities, assists corporate partners in diversifying their supply chains, and advocates for LGBTQ and allied business communities to build upon, promote and invest in the diverse LGBTQ+ business and professional community throughout New Mexico. The NMOBA Diversity Education Training Program (NDETP) prepares businesses to expand and leverage their diversity within the LGBTQ+ community through intensive training and aims to help businesses improve their understanding and communication with the LGBTQ community, enabling them to hire a more diverse workforce, increase their economic and socio-economic impact, and strengthen outreach within the LGBTQ community.

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, award process, 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 gas production, transportation, and delivery. The oil and gas industry is the greatest economic contributor to the state of New Mexico, supporting more than 134,000 jobs and $63.3 billion in annual economic activity. Taxes and royalties from the industry account for about 35% of the State of New Mexico’s annual budget, including over $1.4 billion for public schools. Visit NMOGA.org to learn more about the importance of oil and natural gas to New Mexico.

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