Local Non-Profit Collaboration Results in $20,000 Award

Photos Courtesy of Tyler Bingham

The Global Resources Center auditorium was filled with energy on November 2, as 102 individuals participated in the first ever Grant County Community Conversation, a collaborative convening. The participants, representing 55 non-profits from the four-county region and 11 funding agencies from across New Mexico, joined together to promote cross-sector, collaborative work in the non-profit world. The goal was to win a $20,000 planning grant for their proposal.

Throughout the workshop, the non-profit representatives were encouraged to work together to create proposals to address one of five locally identified issues, which included: the arts, childcare, non-profit leadership, workforce training and youth development. These focus areas were identified through surveys that registrants submitted and data from the Southwest Council of Governments.

The day’s work was quick and challenging, as each of the groups were limited to two hours to create a proposal for a planning grant. Each of the collaborative groups presented a creative and cross-sector solution to the entire body of participants, who then voted on one group to receive a $20,000 planning grant. Barrett Brewer, Chair of the Grant County Community Foundation (GCCF), was so impressed with each of the proposals that she said, “I wish we could have funded them all!” The funds for the grant were raised by the GCCF, United Way, and Freeport McMoRan.

The winning proposal addressed the focus area: Workforce Development and was created by:
Jessica Etcheverry of Keep Luna County Beautiful, Kendra Milligan of Southwest Center for Health Innovations, Ron Troy of New Mexico Land Conservancy, Charmeine Wait of Mainstreet Project, and Lucy Whitmarsh of Mainstreet Project, with input from: Kevin Cook of Freeport McMoRan, Elizabeth Grinnel of Enchanted Life Foundation and Pricilla Lucero of Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments. Kendra Milligan said, “It’s an honor for our group’s proposal to be awarded the $20,000. Who could have thought that so much could come out of a one-day event focused on the betterment of the southwest region?”

While only one group took home the check, everyone walked away with new connections and ideas for collaboration, which was the real goal of the event. One participant summed it up nicely, saying, “Everyone in the group was important.”

The seed for a Community Conversation was initially planted by ex-offici¬o founding GCCF board member, Alicia Edwards. It was brought to fruition through a grant from the Lineberry Foundation and a steering committee comprised of the Grant County Community Foundation, United Way of the Southwest New Mexico, Freeport McMoRan’s Community Development Program and the Southwest Council of Governments.

If you are interested in participating in further community events or with the Grant County Community Foundation, please email Katherine Gauer at gccfliaision@gmail.com or visit grantcountycommunityfoundation.org.