BACKNMOGA Press Release l April 29, 2021
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, April 29, 2021 – The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s (NMOGA) Brighter Future Fund today announced $100,000 in grant awards to 11 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 Brighter Future has awarded $300,000 to New Mexico non-profits since December 2019.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, April 29, 2021 – The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s (NMOGA) Brighter Future Fund today announced $100,000 in grant awards to 11 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 Brighter Future has awarded $300,000 to New Mexico non-profits since December 2019.
“The 11 organizations awarded today are key to the social and economic fabrics of communities across New Mexico, and we’re proud to support their work to better our state and strengthen their communities,” said Leland Gould, Chairman of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. “We are committed to supporting organizations and communities large, small, and everything in between. These efforts are vital to New Mexico’s future, and the oil and gas industry is a key part of investing in community-based work to ensure all New Mexicans have the opportunity to create a brighter future.”
The 11 organizations receiving grant awards in this round are: Teach Plus New Mexico, $10,000 to support education; Not Forgotten Outreach, $10,000 to increase economic opportunity; Many Mothers, $10,000 to support efforts to reduce hunger; New Mexico Tech-Navajo Nation Water Purification Project, $10,000 to support STEM education; San Juan College, $5,000 to support STEM education; Always Loving Mankind Food Pantry, $5,000 to support efforts to reduce hunger; Carlsbad MainStreet Project, $10,000 to increase economic opportunity; Greater Raton Economic Development Corporation, $10,000 to increase economic opportunity; Lovington Mainstreet, $10,000 to increase economic opportunity; Silver City Mainstreet, $10,000 to increase economic opportunity; and the Women's Economic Self-Sufficiency Team (WESST), $10,000 to increase economic opportunity.
"Teach Plus is excited to be a Brighter Future Fund grantee. This support will enable us to continue our efforts to engage some of the state's best educators and help improve teacher preparation, training, and support. We know that teachers are the single most important in-school factor in a student's education. By developing a strong educator workforce, our students will excel, said Hope Morales, executive director of Teach Plus New Mexico.
"Not Forgotten Outreach is extremely grateful for the generous support of the Brighter Future Fund for our VetCorps training program. The support will keep our six-month farm training and therapy program thriving and allow VetCorps to continue to produce new farmers from our veteran and military family member community,” said Yani Bunch, executive director of Not Forgotten Outreach.
"The Navajo Nation Water Purification Project is a collaborative project that aims to deploy novel water filtration technology to remote areas across the Navajo Nation. Our goal is to develop the Navajo workforce while providing long-term sustainable water resources for the Nation. The Brighter Future Fund grant has provided funding for us to kick-start the entire project with support for the initial testing that is needed to move the entire project forward. It will also support a Water Symposium that will engage and educate students and families,” said Sharon Sessions, professor of physics and director of outreach at New Mexico Tech.
"Carlsbad MainStreet is so thankful for the opportunity to showcase our homegrown businesses with the support of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association’s Brighter Future Fund. During these difficult times, our merchants have suffered. The funds received will be used to introduce our business owners to the world and highlight their unique stores with professional videos and promotions. These businesses are the heart of our community and their success is our number one priority. These funds will make a huge impact on the lives of our downtown businesses,” Ashly Key, executive director of Carlsbad MainStreet.
“Silver City MainStreet is so grateful for the grant from NMOGA’s Brighter Future Fund. These resources will go to assist local, small merchants with projects to help them stay in business. The Small Business Assistance Program is directly impacting the economic vitality of our downtown,” said Charmeine Wait, executive director of Silver City Mainstreet.
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 www.nmoga.org/brighterfuturefund.