Community Rewards Grants

The Community Rewards grant program is administered by the Nusenda Foundation, the charitable arm of Nusenda Credit Union. This initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to strengthening communities across New Mexico and West Texas by aligning its philanthropic investments with member-driven financial activity. Through its Community Rewards program, the foundation channels funds generated from everyday debit card transactions into grants that support nonprofit organizations and public institutions. The program is designed to enhance community well-being and foster sustainable impact in regions where Nusenda members live and work. The primary purpose of the Community Rewards grant is to support organizations that contribute to thriving, resilient communities. Funding is directed toward initiatives that align with five core focus areas: the arts, community services and support, education, environment and wildlife, and healthcare. The program emphasizes both operational and programmatic support, allowing applicants to request funding either for general organizational capacity or for specific initiatives. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how requested funds will be used and leveraged to maximize impact, as well as how their work aligns with the foundation’s mission and values. Grant amounts are flexible and based on organizational need, but typically range from a minimum of 2500 dollars to a maximum of 20000 dollars per program. The foundation notes that it is often unable to fully fund requests, and applicants should expect awards to be at least 30 percent of their requested amount if selected. In prior cycles, such as 2025, the program distributed approximately 1000000 dollars across 108 programs, illustrating both the scale of funding and the competitive nature of the grant process. Eligibility for the Community Rewards grant is limited to organizations operating within specific geographic service areas, including Northern, Central, and Southern New Mexico, as well as El Paso County in West Texas. Applicants must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a public school and must be in good standing with relevant state regulatory bodies, including the Attorney General’s office and Secretary of State’s office. Additionally, organizations must align with at least one of the program’s designated focus areas and be prepared to submit required documentation such as a W-9 form, financial statements or audits, and an IRS determination letter. The application process is conducted entirely online and follows a defined annual cycle. Applications open on June 1 and close on August 31. Interested organizations are encouraged to review application guidelines and may attend informational webinars offered in early June to better understand the process, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria. These webinars are optional and serve as an educational resource rather than a required step in the application process. Applicants are notified of funding decisions in December following the close of the application period. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including alignment with Nusenda’s mission and focus areas, organizational history and financial health, demonstrated ability to implement programs successfully, and overall impact and performance. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations that show strong potential for measurable outcomes and community benefit. While specific scoring rubrics are referenced, applicants are expected to provide comprehensive and well-documented submissions that reflect both organizational capacity and program effectiveness. The Community Rewards grant is offered on a recurring annual basis, with a consistent application window each summer and award notifications at the end of the calendar year. This predictable cycle allows organizations to plan ahead and align their funding strategies accordingly. While the program is competitive due to limited funding relative to demand, it remains a significant source of support for community-based initiatives across the eligible regions.

Ensure strong alignment with focus areas demonstrate measurable impact and provide clear financial documentation