Since the beginning of the pandemic, UWCNM has raised and/or distributed $1.1 million in emergency COVID-19 related funding in grants to agencies for immediate needs in the four counties it serves.

Going forward, UWCNM will support 14 organizations that will receive funds raised for COVID-19 recovery as well as continue to conduct its initiatives and services: Mission: Graduate, Mission: Families, 2-1-1 Information and Referral Line, the Family Advocacy Center, Graduate! ABQ, and Tax Help New Mexico.

In March and April 2020, the Emergency Action Fund and the Feeding Families Fund were established.

The Emergency Action Fund was established in partnership with the Albuquerque Community Foundation. Together, the organizations raised $705,313 to support agencies that were impacted by the pandemic. 93 organizations received grants that ranged from $1,000 to $5,000 for basic needs and economic development and recovery. In addition, nine organizations were awarded between $25,000 and $50,000 to address access to technology, family stability, and education gaps.

The Feeding Families Fund: United We Eat was initiated by a family of donors, Bill and Rachel Gupton and Lynn and Craig Trojahn, who wanted to both provide for families in crisis and support the restaurant industry. The family, who have been long-time donors and volunteers for UWCNM, helped identify 13 agencies that would be hard-pressed to feed the families in their care. 16,343 meals were provided and 41 restaurants/food trucks were engaged over the course of seven to 16 weeks from the $236,540 in contributions.

The incredible generosity of central New Mexicans has come at a time when the community’s needs are so critical,” said Rodney Prunty, President and CEO of United Way of Central New Mexico. “We are grateful to those partners and donors who made the grants to so many nonprofits possible. These funds are making a real difference in providing for basic needs and services for many individuals and families who are struggling right now due to the pandemic.”

Additionally, UWCNM facilitated the distribution of funds raised by Sandia National Laboratories for its Native American Relief Fund, which distributed $229,448 to aid Native American communities for a variety of basic needs.