Viles Foundation Inc.

## Approach Strategy

The Viles Foundation is one of New Mexico's longest-running scholarship programs, operating continuously since 1959 with a deeply specific mission: educational assistance for orphaned or half-orphaned youth in San Miguel and Mora Counties. Understanding this hyper-local, needs-based focus is essential for anyone approaching the foundation.

Key alignment signals:

• Geographic specificity is non-negotiable. The foundation exclusively serves students from five high schools: Pecos, Robertson, West Las Vegas, Mora, and Wagon Mound. This is not a statewide or national program — it is rooted in a specific rural community in northeastern New Mexico.
• Orphan/half-orphan priority. The founder, Matie R. Viles, specified emphasis on "orphan girls, fatherless or motherless girls" in her 1959 charter. While the foundation now serves all genders, the loss-of-parent criterion remains central to eligibility.
• Long-term investment model. Scholarships fund up to five years of college, with annual renewals based on academic performance (2.0 GPA, 12 credit hours minimum). The foundation views each scholarship as a multi-year commitment.
• Preparatory pipeline. The required "First Year Experience" summer class at Luna Community College signals the foundation's commitment to student success beyond just financial support.
• Community-embedded governance. Board members (President Louella Marr-Montoya, Treasurer Beatrice Hurtado, and others) are locally rooted. Decisions reflect community knowledge of applicants.
• No restrictions on field of study. Unlike many scholarship foundations, Viles places no constraints on major, institution, or career path — students may attend any university.
• Donor-intent fidelity. The foundation has maintained remarkable fidelity to Matie Viles' original 1959 mission statement for 67 years, suggesting a conservative governance culture unlikely to expand beyond its charter.

## Funding Patterns

Scholarship size and distribution: In 2023, the foundation awarded individual scholarships ranging from approximately $2,150 to $4,000, with most clustered between $2,400 and $3,300. In 2025, 46 scholarships totaling over $144,000 were awarded (averaging approximately $3,130 per scholarship).

Financial trajectory:

Notable financial events: The foundation experienced a dramatic asset increase from $93K (2021) to $1.4M (2022), with corresponding revenue of $1.4M — likely a trust distribution or endowment transfer from the Matie R. Viles Trust Under Will managed by Los Alamos National Bank. This recapitalization has enabled the foundation to increase annual scholarship distributions from approximately $100K to $110K+, with the 2025 cycle reaching $144K.

Giving consistency: Annual scholarship disbursements have been remarkably stable at $95K-$144K, demonstrating reliable year-over-year funding. The foundation appears to target a payout rate that preserves corpus while maximizing student support.

Award cycle: Scholarships are awarded annually in May/August following the April 1 application deadline. Disbursements are made directly to educational institutions.

## Peer Comparison

Among scholarship-focused foundations with assets between $1M and $3M, the Viles Foundation stands out for its longevity and community focus.

Key differentiators:

• 67-year track record — Few foundations in this asset range can match the Viles Foundation's continuous operation since 1959. This longevity reflects sound financial management and clear mission focus.
• Hyper-local impact — While peer foundations typically serve state or regional populations, Viles serves just five high schools in two counties, creating outsized per-capita impact in a rural, underserved region of New Mexico.
• Student-centered model — The required First Year Experience class and multi-year funding commitment (up to 5 years) represent a more holistic approach than most peer foundations, which typically provide one-time awards.
• Low overhead — With treasurer compensation of just $1,000-$3,000 and no other compensated staff, the foundation channels nearly all resources to scholarships. This is lean even by small-foundation standards.
• Trust-backed endowment — The Matie R. Viles Trust Under Will provides a sustainable funding mechanism managed by Los Alamos National Bank, giving the foundation more financial stability than peers relying solely on investment returns.

## Recent Activity

2025 Scholarship Cycle: The Board of Directors announced 46 scholarships totaling over $144,000 awarded in May 2025 — the largest single-year distribution on record for the foundation. This represents meaningful growth from the $110K level of 2022-2023.

2026-2027 Applications Open: The foundation is actively accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year with a postmark deadline of April 1, 2026. Both new and renewal applications are being accepted through the website.

NMHU Partnership: New Mexico Highlands University selected Matie Viles and Ken and Sue Crimmins to co-name their new Student Residence Hall, now known as the "Matie Viles and Ken and Sue Crimmin Student Residence Hall." This recognition reflects the foundation's deep integration with the local university and honors the founder's legacy in the community.

Financial Growth: The foundation's assets grew from $93K in 2021 to $1.56M in 2024, a 16x increase in three years — likely driven by a trust distribution. This recapitalization positions the foundation for sustained higher giving levels.

Digital Presence: The foundation maintains an active website (vilesfoundation.org) with online application capabilities, scholarship information, and a historical archive dating to its 1959 founding. The site runs on IIS/ASP infrastructure.

Board Stability: The current board includes President Louella Marr-Montoya, Vice President Huie Ley, Treasurer Beatrice Hurtado, and directors including Jonathan Madrid, Oneida L'Esperance, Justine Chavez, and advisory board members Bethany Brafford and Derek Benavidez.

## Application Tips

Eligibility requirements (strict):

1. You must be graduating from one of five high schools: Pecos, Robertson, West Las Vegas, Mora, or Wagon Mound High School in San Miguel or Mora County, New Mexico. There are no exceptions to this geographic requirement.

2. Orphan or half-orphan status is the primary criterion. The foundation was chartered specifically for "orphan girls, fatherless or motherless girls" — while the program has expanded to all genders, having lost one or both parents is the defining eligibility factor.

3. Application deadline is April 1 (postmark date). Applications must be mailed to: Viles Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1117, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701. Late applications are not accepted.

Maximizing your application:

4. Attend the First Year Experience class. This required summer session at Luna Community College is not optional — it is mandatory for receiving the scholarship. Plan your summer accordingly.

5. Maintain academic standards for renewal. The 2.0 GPA minimum and 12 credit hours per semester are monitored annually. The foundation funds up to 5 years, making this a potentially $15,000+ total award — but only with consistent academic performance.

6. Any university, any major. Unlike many scholarships, the Viles Foundation places no restrictions on institution or field of study. Choose the program that best fits your goals.

7. Funds go directly to your institution. Scholarship money is disbursed to your college or university for books, fees, and educational costs — not directly to you.

8. Contact the foundation with questions. Reach out to information@vilesfoundation.org or treasurer@vilesfoundation.org before applying if you have eligibility questions. The board is community-based and responsive.

9. High school counselors can help. The foundation provides a dedicated counselor resources page — talk to your guidance counselor about the application process.

10. Renewal applicants: Submit your transcript showing 2.0+ GPA and 12+ credit hours. The renewal process is separate from new applications.