//
Work at this foundation?
Claim this profile to manage it and see interest from grant seekers.
Chamiza Foundation is a private corporation based in SANTA FE, NM. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1989. It holds total assets of $3.9M. Annual income is reported at $1M. Total assets have grown from $2.2M in 2011 to $3.7M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 12 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2017 to 2023. The foundation primarily funds organizations in New Mexico and Pueblo Communities. According to available records, Chamiza Foundation has made 54 grants totaling $580K, with a median grant of $12K. Annual giving has decreased from $248K in 2021 to $132K in 2023. Individual grants have ranged from $200 to $31K, with an average award of $11K. The foundation has supported 41 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, which account for 94% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 5 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
## Approach & Strategy
Chamiza Foundation is a specialized New Mexico private foundation focused exclusively on cultural preservation for Native American Pueblo communities. Based in Santa Fe at 1919 Fifth St Suite C, it has been operating since 1989 with a highly focused mandate.
Leadership: James Phillips (Chair) and Alice Phillips Swistel (Vice-Chair) represent the founding donor family. Brian Vallo serves as President — a significant appointment, as Vallo is a noted Acoma Pueblo cultural advocate and former director of the Pueblo of Acoma. Other board members include Vernon Lujan, Trisha Moquino, and Ben Calabaza — all with Pueblo community ties.
Strict Focus: The foundation's stated restriction is "CULTURAL PRESERVATION AMONG THE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN POPULATION IN NEW MEXICO." This is among the most narrowly defined mandates in any comparable foundation. Applicants outside this exact scope will not be considered.
Grant Focus Areas: - Native American language revitalization (Keres, Zuni, Pueblo languages) - Traditional arts: weaving, pottery, tanning, textiles - Indigenous agricultural heritage (Acoma traditional farm crops) - Tribal early childhood education and cultural storytelling - Youth cultural festivals and enrichment programs - Water stewardship with cultural dimensions (SAY H2O Project)
Applications Accepted: Despite checking "preselected only" on the 990-PF, the foundation's own instructions indicate it accepts applications with specific format requirements. This likely reflects a preference for known grantees rather than a strict closed-door policy.
Website Confirmed: chamiza.org is the correct foundation website (WordPress-based). Note: the /grants page returns 404, so check the main site navigation for current guidelines.
## Funding Patterns
Annual Giving: - FY2024: $94,644 (9 grants) - FY2023: $132,166 (higher number of grants) - FY2022: $200,221 - FY2021: $247,639 - FY2020: $216,257 - FY2019: $120,302
Grant Size: - FY2024: $124–$15,800; median $15,000; max $15,800 - Typical grants: $5,000–$15,000 range - Very small grants ($124–$1,100) appear for general operating support - Larger grants ($15,000+) support specific programs
| Grantee | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Keres Children's Learning Center | $15,800 | Native American Language Programs |
| Zuni Youth Enrichment Program | $15,000 | Youth Art and Cultural Festivals |
| Conservation Legacy Ancestral Land | $15,000 | Acoma Traditional Farm Crops |
| LANL Foundation | $15,000 | Tribal Early Childhood Storytelling |
| National Ghost Ranch Foundation | $15,000 | Estudio Corazon Residency |
| Partners in Education | $12,000 | River Source Grant |
| Santa Ana Pueblo | $5,620 | SAY H2O Water Is Life Project |
| ABQ Indian School | $1,100 | General Programs |
| Laguna Community Foundation | $124 | General Operating |
Asset Trends: - Assets have grown from $3.2M (2017) to $6M (FY2024 per Grantmakers.io); Granted DB shows $3.89M (likely earlier reporting period) - Giving is declining from peak of $247K (2021) to $94K (2024)
## Peer Comparison
| Foundation | Assets | Annual Giving | Focus | NM-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamiza Foundation (NM) | $3.9–6M | $94K (FY2024) | Pueblo Indian cultural preservation | Yes |
| Christensen Fund | $70M+ | $10M+ | Indigenous arts, culture, agri | No (CA-based) |
| First Nations Development Institute | N/A | $3M+ grants | Native economic development | No (CO) |
| Southwest Association for Indian Arts | Smaller | $50–200K | Indian arts market | Yes (NM) |
| New Mexico Community Foundation | $50M+ | $5M+ | Broad NM community | Yes |
Positioning: Chamiza is one of the few private foundations with an exclusive Pueblo Indian focus in New Mexico. It is smaller than national Indigenous philanthropy foundations but uniquely targeted to NM Pueblo communities specifically.
## Recent Activity
Declining Grant Volume: Annual giving has decreased from $247K (FY2021) to $94K (FY2024). This 62% reduction may reflect strategic prioritization, investment losses, or a planned drawdown. The number of grants also dropped from ~15+ to 9 in FY2024.
Consistent Core Grantees: Keres Children's Learning Center (Cochiti Pueblo), Santa Ana Pueblo, and LANL Foundation appear across multiple years, confirming stable relationships.
New FY2024 Focus: Early Childhood and Language: Tribal early childhood storytelling (LANL Foundation) and native language programs (Keres) suggest a current emphasis on intergenerational cultural transmission.
Water Project Support: Santa Ana Pueblo's SAY H2O Water Is Life Project ($5,620) represents an emerging intersection of environmental justice and indigenous cultural values.
Ghost Ranch Residency: The Estudio Corazon Residency at National Ghost Ranch Foundation ($15K) is an arts residency with Native American cultural dimensions — an unusual addition suggesting broader arts engagement.
Brian Vallo Leadership: The appointment of Brian Vallo as President is significant. Vallo has deep credibility in the Pueblo communities and may be reshaping the foundation's grantmaking strategy toward greater community self-determination.
## Application Tips
This foundation is highly specialized. Only organizations working on cultural preservation for Native American Pueblo communities in New Mexico are eligible.
1. Check eligibility first. If your organization is not directly serving NM Pueblo Indian communities in cultural preservation work, this funder is not relevant. No exceptions.
2. Follow the required format. The application instructions specify: "applications are to be submitted per the required format with descriptions of the project, etc." Download or request the current application format from the foundation before submitting.
3. Contact directly. > Chamiza Foundation > 1919 Fifth St Suite C > Santa Fe, NM 87505 > Phone: (505) 216-2140 > Website: www.chamiza.org
4. Target the right deadline. Submission windows vary by year — typically late March and June. Contact the foundation to confirm current deadlines before applying.
5. Best-fit program types: - Native language revitalization and immersion programs - Traditional arts documentation and teaching (weaving, pottery, tanning) - Tribal youth cultural enrichment - Indigenous agricultural heritage preservation - Oral history and storytelling programs - Intergenerational cultural transmission projects
6. Budget alignment: Most grants are $10,000–$15,000. A budget request of $12,000–$15,000 for a specific, well-defined program is well-aligned. Operational support grants are much smaller ($100–$1,000).
7. Site visits: The foundation conducts year-round site visits. Be prepared to host a site visit as part of the review process.
Create a free Granted account to download this report — includes application checklist, full financial data, and all grantees.
Already have an account? Sign in to download.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
## Funding Patterns Annual Giving: - FY2024: $94,644 (9 grants) - FY2023: $132,166 (higher number of grants) - FY2022: $200,221 - FY2021: $247,639 - FY2020: $216,257 - FY2019: $120,302.
Chamiza Foundation has distributed a total of $580K across 54 grants. The median grant size is $12K, with an average of $11K. Individual grants have ranged from $200 to $31K.
## Approach & Strategy Chamiza Foundation is a specialized New Mexico private foundation focused exclusively on cultural preservation for Native American Pueblo communities. Based in Santa Fe at 1919 Fifth St Suite C, it has been operating since 1989 with a highly focused mandate.
Chamiza Foundation is headquartered in SANTA FE, NM. While based in NM, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 5 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda J Montoya | EXECUTIVE DI | $82K | $0 | $82K |
| Trisha Moquino | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| James L Phillips | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Ben Calabaza | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Ted Jojola | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Vernon Lujan | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Marjorie Phillips Elliott | CHAIR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Alice Phillips Swistel | VICE-CHAIR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Diane Reyna | PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Beverly R Singer | VICE PRESIDE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Brian Vallo | SECRETARY | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Hayes Lewis | TREASURER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$323K
Total Assets
$3.7M
Fair Market Value
$5.4M
Net Worth
$3.7M
Grants Paid
$132K
Contributions
$3K
Net Investment Income
$306K
Distribution Amount
$249K
Total: $2.9M
Total Grants
54
Total Giving
$580K
Average Grant
$11K
Median Grant
$12K
Unique Recipients
41
Most Common Grant
$12K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partners In EducationRIVER SOURCE GRANT | Santa Fe, NM | $12K | 2023 |
| J Paul Getty TrustTERRA WORD SCHOLARSHIP | Los Angeles, CA | $12K | 2021 |
| Indigenous Knowledge CollectiveTESUQUE TEXTILES PROJECT/TANNING CLA | Santa Fe, NM | $18K | 2023 |
| Santa Ana PuebloSAY H-20 WATER IS LIFE PROJ | Santa Ana Pueblo, NM | $15K | 2023 |
| Zuni Youth Enrichment ProgZYEP SUMMER CAMP | Zuni, NM | $15K | 2023 |
| Santo Domingo PuebloREBLDG CONNECTIONS TO PUEBLO ARCH | Santo Domingo, NM | $15K | 2023 |
| Keres Childrens Learning CenterNATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE SYMPOSIUM | Cochiti Pueblo, NM | $13K | 2023 |
| Pachamamas PathACROSS AMERICA CULTURAL EXCHANGE | West Palm Beach, FL | $13K | 2023 |
| Santa Clara Pueblo AdcKHA PO INTERGENERATIONAL EXCHANGE | Espanola, NM | $11K | 2023 |
| Zia PuebloT'SIYA MOTHER CORN PROJECT | Zia Pueblo, NM | $11K | 2023 |
| Trees Water And PeopleREBLDG PUEBLO FOOD | Fort Collins, CO | $10K | 2023 |
| Nm Association Of GrantmakersNM BROADBAND COLLECTIVE | Albuquerque, NM | $15K | 2022 |
| Acoma PuebloTRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION | Acoma, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| Red Willow CenterSEED SAVING | Taos, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| Flower Hill InstituteJEMEZ PUEBLO COMM GREENHOUSE | Jemez Pueblo, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| Picuris PuebloTIWA LANGUAGE PROGRAM | Penasco, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| Generational EmpowermentEMPOWERMENT CULTURAL PROGRAM | Espanola, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| Conservation Legacy Ancestral LandsACOMA TRADITIONAL FARM CROPS | Albuquerque, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| San Felipe PuebloAGRICULTURE PROGRAM | San Felipe Pueblo, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| Trees Water PeopleREVITALIZING KEWA PUEBLO AGRO ZONE | Fort Collins, CO | $12K | 2022 |
| Zuni Youth Enrichment ProjectZYEP SUMMER CAMP | Zuni, NM | $12K | 2022 |
| Pueblo Of PojoaqueTAPIA COMMUNITY HOUSE | Santa Fe, NM | $10K | 2022 |
| Ysleta Del Sur PuebloCHILDREN'S TIWA LANGUAGE PROGRAM | El Paso, TX | $9K | 2022 |
| Pueblo Of Pojoaque Tewa Language DeHUNTING FROM ELDERS PROJECT | Santa Fe, NM | $9K | 2022 |
| Southwest Research And InformationHONOR OUR PUEBLO EXISTENCE | Albuquerque, NM | $5K | 2022 |
| Laguna Community FoundationCOCHITI FIRE RELIEF | Laguna, NM | $200 | 2022 |
| Indian Pueblo Cultural CenterEMERGENCY RELIEF/ALL PUEB COUNCIL | Albuquerque, NM | $24K | 2021 |
| Pueblo Of JemezEMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS | Jemez Pueblo, NM | $12K | 2021 |
| Taos Pueblo CmsEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM | Taos, NM | $12K | 2021 |
| Bosque SchoolYOUTH PROGRAM | Albuquerque, NM | $12K | 2021 |
| Center For Sw CulturePUEBLO RESURGENTS | Albuquerque, NM | $12K | 2021 |
| Pueblo Of Laguna Utility AuthorityEMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING | Laguna, NM | $12K | 2021 |
| Malcolm EbrightISLETA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | Santa Fe, NM | $9K | 2021 |
| Flowering Tree PermacultureFLOWERING TREE YOUTH PROJ | Espanola, NM | $7K | 2021 |
| Santo Domingo Tribal Housing AuthSD TRAD VILLAGE ARCHITECTURE PROJ | Santo Domingo, NM | $7K | 2021 |
| Sf Indian SchoolBRAVE GIRLS | Santa Fe, NM | $6K | 2021 |
| Santa Clara PuebloEMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS | Espanola, NM | $5K | 2021 |