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Welcome to New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism

The indigenous communities of North America and New Mexico have even longer traditions of community-centered social structures and inter-generational responsibility. Democratic participation and civic engagement provide the foundation and framework for our nation’s political values. A more active and engaged citizenry remains both a goal and a source of pride for our country and our state.

Federal Funding to NM Volunteerism Efforts More Than Doubles

June 7, 2010

Press Release Federal Funding Doubles
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ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Federal funding for volunteerismefforts through the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerismwill more than double this year to roughly $3.2 million, thecommission announced today.

"Our innovation in volunteerism ispaying off," said Lt. Gov. Diane Denish,who chairs the commission. "Successes like this create a rippleeffect that can positively impact small communities across New Mexicoas well as help train and prepare young people for future careers."

A recent Corporation for NationalCommunity Service report found that New Mexicans as a whole give theequivalent of nearly $1 billion a year in volunteer hours. Denish hascalled volunteerism "one of New Mexico's greatest renewableresources."

The commission oversees AmeriCorps and other federal volunteer programs in New Mexico as well as administering grants to nonprofit and educational programs throughout the state. New Mexico was the first state to have a Blueprint for Community Engagement—a coordinated plan to increase volunteerism—a model which has been influential nationally in the service sector. “This plan has paved the way for some of the great news coming our way," said Gregory Webb, executive director of the commission.

"We are thrilled that this infusion will mean more volunteers in the field here in New Mexico," Webb said. "In a time like this, it's wonderful to see priorities being set and dollars being put where they'll have the greatest impact--leveraging the generosity of the incredible citizens of New Mexico."

The commission has continued to partner with its strongest ally, the New Mexico Center for Philanthropic Partnership, a joint program of the Albuquerque Community Foundation and the lieutenant governor's Children's Cabinet. The commission also led an application for the Social Innovation Fund, which was authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and signed by President Obama in April 2009. The Act lays out a broad funding framework which will be awarded to existing intermediary grant-making institutions through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. These grant-making institutions will then award sub-grants to community non-profit organizations. If successful, this could translate to an additional $2 million for New Mexico communities.

There are currently 650,000 alumni of AmeriCorps National Service continuing to act as agents of change in their communities. More than 6,300 New Mexico residents have completed a term of service with AmeriCorps since 1994.

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State Capitol • Room 417 • Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 • www.ltgov.state.nm.us

CONTACT: Joshua Rose, 1.505.216.6025