What makes a successful social justice movement?

Passion. We can all agree that demand for social justice requires insistence and fervor, not to mention volume and organization.

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – a national day of service named after one of the most recognized faces for social justice in American history – approximately 150 Teach For America • New Mexico AmeriCorps members and community members joined together at Chee Dodge Elementary School in Yahtahey, New Mexico to explore how social justice movements in recent history have triggered wide scale change and how lessons from these movements can apply to closing the achievement gap in education. Corps members and community members engaged in challenging discussions that resulted in great reflection on how we can all ensure social justice for our kids and our communities.

Read more: Teach for America Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2012

Habitat Affiliates in New Mexico Complete 600 Homes!

On Friday, February 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m., a special announcement and commemoration ceremony will take place in the New Mexico State Capitol Building Rotunda with Governor Susana Martinez as the keynote speaker. Habitat for Humanity announces the completion of the 600th Habitat House in New Mexico! The 600th house represents the efforts of the entire state working together as a team to help eliminate substandard housing.

Read more: Governor Martinez to Speak at Habitat Event

The Social Innovation Fund is preparing to launch its third annual new grant competition. In early February, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) expects to release the 2012 Notice of Funding Availability and will begin accepting applications.

Through the Social Innovation Fund, CNCS partners with grantmaking intermediaries serving low-income communities to grow the impact of promising nonprofit organizations with evidence of compelling results in three priority areas: economic opportunity, youth development and healthy futures. Selected intermediaries receive both funding and technical assistance from the Social Innovation Fund to support their own innovative programs as well as their engagement in national efforts to advance social innovation in the broader nonprofit sector.

Read more: 2012 Social Innovation Fund Grant Competition

In recognition of Volunteer Month
April 13, 2012

• $1000 Gold sponsorship
  • Large logo and tag line on banner as Gold Sponsor, top line
  • Logo on the Commission's Website for one year, with link to your website
  • Business name mentioned as top sponsor in all media releases and emails
  • Business name mentioned by Master of Ceremonies as top sponsor
  • Table to display information at entrance and inside

• $500 Silver sponsorship
  • Medium sized logo and on banner as Silver Sponsor
  • Logo on Commission's Website for 6 months
  • Thank you to company in newsletter
  • Business name mentioned in all media releases and emails

• $300 level Bronze sponsorship
  • Logo on banner as bronze Sponsor
  • Business name mentioned in emails, press releases

Contact Barbara Dennis at 505 292 2033 for more information or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In recognition of Volunteer Month
April 13, 2012

The New Mexico Commission For Community Volunteerism would like to invite you to participate as an exhibitor in the 14th Annual Governor’s Spotlight on Volunteers Conference to be held on April 13, 2012 at the Marriott Albuquerque Pyramid North, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

By exhibiting at this event, your organization will be provided the opportunity to speak with over 800 volunteers and you will also be supporting the New Mexico Commission For Community Volunteerism, which provides programmatic and financial support to the Volunteer programs throughout the state. Volunteers will begin to arrive at 7:30am and workshops will begin at 9:15am, therefore, you will have a large audience for 1 and ½ hours before introductions. There will be crowds during the breaks and also for ½ hour before and after lunch.

Please complete and submit the Exhibitor’s Booth Registration form. Due to limited space, we will honor registrations on a first come first serve basis. We would also encourage your organization to provide “giveaways” and/or door prize registration opportunities as it draws the attention of our audience.

Booth fee is $150.00 (8' x 8' booth) which includes one (1) table with skirting, two (2) chairs  and two (2) breakfast and lunch tickets.  Please note that electrical cords are not provided.

Read more: Spotlight Awards Exhibitor Information