McCune Charitable Foundation Grant is sponsored by Marshall L. and Perrine D. McCune Charitable Foundation.

Supports community-based work in New Mexico that aligns with the Foundation's priorities, including creating and expanding the economic base, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting programs that drive growth in family assets.

Grant Eligibility | McCune Charitable Foundation The McCune Charitable Foundation supports community-based work in the State of New Mexico that aligns with our nine Foundation Priorities and their corresponding Leverage Points.

The best fit for our funding are organizations that work collaboratively across our priority areas to support community well-being and create long term impact, and whose leadership and expertise come from those who are closest to and most affected by the organization's work. The McCune Charitable Foundation is dedicated to enriching the health, education, environment, cultural and spiritual lives of New Mexicans.

Details of the various open application grant opportunities are detailed below. All grants will be unrestricted, general operating grants and must benefit New Mexicans. Organizations can apply for only one grant per year, regardless of category.

The Marshall L. and Perrine D. McCune Charitable Foundation is dedicated to enriching the health, education, environment, cultural, and spiritual life of New Mexicans.

The Foundation memorializes its benefactors through proactive grantmaking that seeks to foster positive social change. The McCune Charitable Foundation accepts online applications for community-based projects in the State of New Mexico related to our nine Foundation Priorities .

Grants can be awarded to qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations [ specifically, only the sub-classifications 509(a)(1) and 509(a)(2) ], federally-recognized Native American tribes, public schools, and governmental agencies. Grants cannot be made to individuals. The McCune Charitable Foundation is currently funding a portfolio of work structured around nine (9) Foundation Priorities.

Incoming requests that are in alignment with those priorities will be considered.

While we recognize the value of the broad range of work being done by organizations in the non-profit sector, the McCune Charitable Foundation is not currently awarding grants for the following: Direct donations or grants to individuals Direct grants to for-profit institutions Projects in the area of health addressing and/or providing medical research related to particular diseases or conditions Projects that serve religious purposes Grants to political campaigns, to support political activities or to lobby for or against particular pieces of legislation Grants for organizations "in crisis" or for debt repayment Establishment of endowed Chairs or other permanent academic posts Adoption services or support Ongoing operating support for well-established charter schools Parochial and private schools Indirect costs for Institutions of Higher Education Resources for Determining Eligibility Download the McCune Foundation's Grantmaking Overview General Operating Support Grants (Annual Open Application Cycle, generally mid-August to mid-September) Starting in 2024, the Foundation began phasing in multi-year grants in the Focus Grant category via invitation.

Discretionary Grants (on a rolling basis during the calendar year) You can get more information about General Operating Support Grants by scrolling up to Resources for Determining Eligibility in the Eligibility Guide section of this page. Here, you can download the “McCune Foundation's Grantmaking Overview. ” For information about Discretionary Grants, click on the FAQ box above the Eligibility Guide section of this page.

Then click on “How can I apply for a discretionary grant? ” While the mandate described by the Mission of the Foundation is broad, the Board of Directors has adopted certain Priorities to focus resource allocation. Priorities are based on 1) a real ability to influence positive change in the near term and 2) the probability that change in these specific areas will lead to broader systems change in the longer term.

These priorities will guide decisions in grant making and other programmatic activities. Capacity Building in the Non-Profit Sector The McCune Foundation supports initiatives that build operational capacities for non-profits, making expertise in communications, finance, leadership development, organizational development and other areas more broadly available in service of a more structurally equitable and resilient sector.

Click here for more information on this priority area Economic Development & Family Asset Building A Foundation priority is to create and expand the economic base in New Mexico and to view its grant making through an economic development lens whenever possible, in particular supporting programs and organizations that seek to foster entrepreneurship across sectors.

The Foundation also supports programs and initiatives that support and help drive growth in family assets across the diverse communities of the state, enabling a broader base of economic stability for our families.

Click here for more information on this priority area The McCune Charitable Foundation holds equity as a core value, and sees equitable access to engaging and culturally relevant education as a key component of thriving, prosperous communities.

New Mexico is blessed to be home to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions that make learning and growing up here in the 21st century an experience that is uniquely rooted in place and community. This is an asset that was unfortunately ignored by 20th century models of education, but is beginning to be recognized now.

Click here for more information on this priority area Leveraging Opportunities in Health Care After many generations in relationship with the land, vegetation and elements in New Mexico, communities have developed ways to sustain physical and mental health and wellness that often involve uses of medicinal plants, traditional practices and community support.

Many of these traditions have endured and been adapted to contemporary contexts as alternatives and complements to modern approaches. Introduction of newer, less healthy diets and practices have taken a toll, however, with many New Mexicans facing challenges that traditional modalities sometimes cannot address.

Click here for more information on this priority area Local Food Industry Development Far too often, existing food systems (referring to all the processes, infrastructure and activities related to feeding a community) in the state of New Mexico contribute to poor nutritional outcomes for individuals and families, especially those considered low income.

Not only does New Mexico have among the highest obesity and diabetes rates in the nation as a result of these significant shortcomings, the systems in question also contribute little to the state economy, with as much as 80 percent of all money spent on food and nutrition leaving the state, according to the New Mexico State University Extension Service.

Click here for more information on this priority area Building Links Between Arts and Community Engagement The arts play a significant role in the culture and history of New Mexico and contribute substantially to the state’s economic and civic livelihoods.

The McCune Foundation supports efforts that seek to leverage arts, creative expression, and culturally relevant, transformative experiences for the purpose of inspiring and driving higher levels of community and civic engagement.

Click here for more information on this priority area As we face growing disruption due to climate change, it is our frontline communities–those who experience the "first and worst" of the consequences of climate change–that will be the primary focus of the Foundation's support.

Frontline communities include tribal and rural communities, and in urban areas, lower and middle income families and communities of color living in areas that have been negatively impacted by poor infrastructure and industrial practices.

Click here for more information on this priority area Influencing Planning of Built Environments Well-conceived built environments provide a key platform for many functions of family and civic life and are fundamentally connected to many factors that contribute to community health. These functions include economic development and higher levels of community and civic engagement, among others.

The Foundation supports the development of built environments across the state that seek to take advantage of the role these environments can play to move New Mexican families toward a more prosperous and healthy future.

Click here for more information on this priority area Strategies for Rural Development New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the nation in terms of land area and, somewhat conversely, it is the 36 th most populous state. This means that New Mexico is largely rural, with 26 out of 33 counties considered “frontier counties” (six or fewer people per square mile).

While a majority of the population in the state lives in four urban areas (Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe), New Mexico maintains a significant population base that honors its rural roots. Among many New Mexico communities, a rural way of life supports a fundamental cultural connection with the landscape of the state and to the values that many families honor and maintain.

Click here for more information on this priority area ▸ Who is eligible for a grant from the Foundation? The McCune Charitable Foundation accepts online applications for community-based projects in the state of New Mexico related to our nine Foundation Priorities .

The Foundation makes grants for general operating expenses to qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations [ specifically, only the sub-classifications 509(a)(1) and 509(a)(2) ], federally-recognized Native American tribes, public schools, and governmental agencies. No grants are made to individuals. ▸ What is the dollar amount of the average grant awarded through the Annual Open Application Cycle?

The Foundation has a grantmaking structure comprised of categories. Please refer to the “Grantmaking Overview” document located on this page that outlines the categories and range of awards available. ( see Eligibility Guide, Resources for Determining Eligibility, “Download the McCune Foundation’s Grantmaking Overview” ) ▸ What is the range of grant awards?

See the “Grantmaking Overview” document located on this page for more information regarding the range and eligibility requirements for each category. ( see Eligibility Guide, Resources for Determining Eligibility, “Download the McCune Foundation’s Grantmaking Overview” ) Discretionary grants are up to a maximum of $5,000 per year; however, due to budget considerations, the average grant size is generally closer to $1,000.

▸ What kinds of grants are available? The Foundation awards smaller discretionary grants on a rolling basis and larger grant awards during the open application process. In rare instances, the Foundation will invite an applicant from an organization to submit an application for a specific purpose.

Generally, all open application grants are awarded for General Operating Support. Beginning in 2018, in partnership with other funders, the Foundation introduced a new grant structure, the NM Collaborative Zone Grant. The Zone Grant awards support collaborative projects with planning, technical support and implementation funding.

The Request for Proposal process occurs in a timeframe separate from that of the open application cycle. Currently, for an overview, please refer to the Zone Grant page on our website. ▸ How can I apply for a discretionary grant?

Discretionary grants range from $1,000 to $5,000, with grants typically awarded in the range of $1,000 to $2,500. The larger discretionary grants are awarded to work more highly aligned with the Foundation's priority areas (detailed in the immediately preceding Foundation Priorities section). Discretionary funding requests are generally accepted throughout the calendar year.

This is a two-step process: first, submit your request using this link, Discretionary Grant Preliminary Inquiry , to complete and submit a brief questionnaire; then, if awarded , you will receive an email from discretionary@nmmcune. org that provides an access code to a short application, accessible only through the Foundation’s online grant portal, that you will complete and submit - thus initiating the payment process.

The email will include instructions for using the online portal. Also, information you provided through the questionnaire can be used to complete the application. If your request isn’t approved, we will let you know by email (from discretionary@nmmccune.

org ). If you have questions, please call the Foundation office in Santa Fe, (505) 983-8300, or email discretionary@nmmccune. org.

▸ When can I apply for a larger grant? The McCune Foundation's open application cycle for 2027 funding opens August 15, 2026 and closes September 15, 2026 (5 p. m.

MDT). Please visit the APPLY page for more information. ▸ Can I apply for more than one grant per year?

The Foundation generally awards only one grant per year to an organization. If the organization has multiple projects that need support, it is best for the group to prioritize their projects and apply for only one in their application. ▸ How long is the grant period?

Most grants are awarded for a one-year period. So, if the grant is awarded in late February, the grant funds should be spent out by the end of the following February. The award letter will explicitly state the start and end date of the grant period.

▸ I have heard that the Foundation has outlined Priorities and Leverage Points. How can I learn more about the Foundation Priorities and whether or not my work fits within the Priorities? Each Foundation Priority and its Leverage Points can be accessed by scrolling up to the next section of this page, “Foundation Priorities.

” ▸ If my project does not align with the Foundation Priorities, can I still apply? Applications outside the Foundation Priorities will be considered, but preference will be given to those applications that are most competitive and in alignment with one or more Foundation Priorities. ▸ Are the Foundation Priorities ranked in order of importance?

The priorities do not have a ranking based on order of importance. All priorities are of equal importance and will be given equal consideration. ▸ Will the Foundation’s Grant Budget for the year be split up into 9 parts to accommodate each Foundation Priority?

Funding allocations will be based on the merit of the applications received. Funding will not be divided equally among the different Priorities. ▸ Can multiple organizations apply for a grant together?

Multiple organizations can choose to submit a joint application rather than applying individually. However, one organization will need to serve as the “lead” organization to fill out the application. ▸ The Foundation has indicated that collaboration among groups is highly desirable.

What kind of support is available for bringing groups together and getting them to work toward a common outcome? Discretionary and open cycle applications are welcomed for this purpose. However, due to our small staff, we cannot provide staff support or direct technical assistance for these efforts.

Check with your local Community Foundation for support they may offer. ▸ Will Social Services applications still be considered? Applicants for direct social services will still be considered; however, applications that outline a holistic or family-centered approach that align with the Foundation Priorities will be given preference.

▸ Is multi-year funding available? Cultivate grants (no invitation required) are awarded for a one-year period. Multi-year (Focus) grants are three-year grants awarded by invitation only.

▸ What if I have a fiscal sponsor? If you have a fiscal sponsor, you will need to coordinate filling out the application form with a representative from the sponsoring organization. ▸ I cannot remember my password.

Is it possible to retrieve it through your system? The sign-in page will ask you to enter your email address and password. (Please note that the email address and password must be the same used when you submitted your application.)

If you cannot remember your password, click on "forgot your password?" ▸ I would like to submit additional materials with my application. How can I do that?

We are unable to accept supplementary materials. Please submit only what is required in the application form, thus providing the requested information. ▸ Can I edit my application once I have submitted it to the Foundation?

Once an applicant has hit the “submit” button, the application cannot be edited. However, you can still get into your account and view your application after it has been submitted by logging in with your email and password. ▸ When will I hear whether or not I have received a grant from my application submitted during the open application cycle?

An email will be sent to each applicant after the Board of Directors’ first meeting of the year (typically in late-February). If you do not receive a letter by mid-March, please email grants@nmmccune. org with your inquiry.

▸ If my application is not funded, how can I receive feedback on my application? Due to limited staff and the high volume of applications, it is not feasible for the Foundation staff to discuss with all applicants the reasons for declining a request or to provide individual critiques of proposals declined. Because the Foundation has limited financial resources, we are able to fund only a small percentage of qualified applicants.

This means that many excellent projects, even ones that fall within the Foundation Priorities, may not be funded. Please understand that the decline of a proposal does not mean that the project lacks merit. ▸ I would like to make an appointment with the Foundation staff.

What is the best way to go about doing this? Due to limited staff resources and the large volume of requests we receive, the Foundation conducts very few pre-proposal meetings. However, you may request a meeting by completing the following form here .

Requests are reviewed generally on a weekly basis by staff. More Information on the Foundation’s Grantmaking More Information on the Foundation’s Grantmaking