NMOGA Press Release l October 22, 2020

Fund Awards More Than $200,000 in First Year

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s Brighter Future Fund today announced $50,000 in grant awards to five New Mexico non-profit organizations in support of 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 first year of grantmaking, having awarded more than $200,000 to New Mexico non-profits since December 2019.

“We are proud to continue to work with some of the best, most impactful organizations in New Mexico as they seek to strengthen their communities and brighten their futures,” said Ryan Flynn, executive director of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. “NMOGA began the Brighter Future Fund with the goal of lifting every corner of New Mexico and helping all of our neighbors and citizens maximize their potential. While the past year has been challenging and unexpected, New Mexicans have stood up and stood strong and we will continue to do our part to help New Mexico recover.”

The five organizations receiving awards in this round are: Brain Hackers Association, $10,000 to support STEM Education; Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico, $10,000 to support efforts to reduce hunger; Jobs for America's Graduates-New Mexico, $10,000 to increase economic opportunities
and support education; New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation Agriculture in the Classroom, $10,000 to support STEM education; and Ruidoso Midtown Association, $10,000 to increase economic opportunities.

"The support of the NMOGA is going to allow us to put the infrastructure in place to assure our program can sustain itself over time - as opposed to being just another one-off activity - enabling us to have an enduring impact on the students, families and community that might not have been
possible otherwise,” said Dr. Chris Forsythe, founder and president of the Brain Hackers Association.

“We are so proud to be grantees of the Brighter Future Fund from the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. We appreciate the Association’s support and efforts to provide hunger relief in eastern New Mexico, especially in reaching some of New Mexico’s most rural communities,” added Dianna Sprague, executive director of the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico.

“JAG New Mexico is so thankful to be selected for a Brighter Futures Grant,” said Alarie Ray-Garcia, board chair of Jobs for America's Graduates-New Mexico. “These funds will go a long way in our mission to helping our students get the education and support they need to graduate
from high school and be prepared for higher education and/or the workforce. Given the immense challenges all students are facing right now, this is more important than ever.”

"This grant from the Brighter Future Fund came at an opportune time," said Traci Curry, director for New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom. "We need students with critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills especially as they apply to the agricultural sciences and natural resources. The grant will be instrumental in helping NMAITC develop more virtual opportunities for students to strengthen their foundational knowledge in these areas and provide opportunities to explore potential careers."

“With support from the NMOGA Brighter Future Fund, the Ruidoso Midtown Association is excited to present the ‘Ruidoso MainStreet Video Series’ to provide free video content to local businesses, agencies, and organizations. The series will highlight industry, special events, public amenities, and creative places within Ruidoso's MainStreet district. The program will help businesses build skills in digital media creation and provide social media marketing for the business district,” said Matt Ingram, executive director of the Ruidoso Midtown Association.

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 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 $16.6 billion in annual economic activity. Taxes and royalties from the industry account for 39% 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.