Outdoor Equity Fund

The Outdoor Equity Fund is administered by the Outdoor Recreation Division of Economic Development New Mexico. The Division was established in 2019, when legislation also created the Outdoor Equity Fund as a state-funded outdoor equity grant program. Its mission is to increase equitable access to the outdoors for New Mexicans while supporting healthy outcomes, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity. The fund focuses on ensuring that New Mexico youth, regardless of income, background, or geography, can participate in meaningful outdoor experiences. Since launch, the program has awarded $10.5 million to 211 organizations and has connected more than 128,000 youth across 23 counties and Tribal communities with outdoor opportunities. The fund supports nature-based outdoor recreation programs serving youth age 18 and under, with at least 40 percent of participants being low-income. Programs must include an educational component addressing climate and the environment. Eligible activities include camping, hiking, backpacking, trail running, bicycling, adaptive outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing, archery, paddling, rafting, skiing, snowshoeing, nature observation, rock climbing, skateboarding, equestrian recreation, conservation, guiding, and other outdoor activities with a meaningful connection to the natural world. Eligible costs include recreational and educational services, equipment and supplies, transportation, billed labor, contractors, paid youth interns, insurance, snacks, gear rentals, passes, permits, certifications, and administrative costs up to 15 percent. Infrastructure development, out-of-state travel, vehicle and trailer purchases, one-time events, equipment-only projects, organized stick-and-ball sports, and programs without significant outdoor exposure are not eligible. Two funding tiers are available. Tier 1 awards range from $5,000 to $40,000, and a Tier 1 request cannot exceed 50 percent of the organization's annual operating budget. Tier 2 awards range from $40,001 to $100,000 and are available by invitation only after submission of a required letter of interest. Tier 2 organizations must have an annual operating budget of at least $500,000. Urban applicants have a 1:2, or 50 percent, match requirement. For Tier 1, no match is required for rural applicants, Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations, or nonprofits and schools located on a Tribe, Pueblo, or Nation serving Indigenous youth. For Tier 2, rural and Tribal applicants have a 1:4, or 25 percent, match requirement. Matching contributions may combine cash and in-kind support, including volunteer hours, training, certifications, donated equipment, services, materials, and confirmed state or federal funds directly supporting the proposed programming. Eligible applicants include Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations; municipalities and counties; nonprofit organizations; public preschools and K-12 schools; public school districts; and public colleges and universities. For-profit privately owned businesses are not eligible. Only one application may be submitted per organization, including organizations serving as fiscal sponsors. All applicants must attend an applicable Info and Q&A Session before applying. Tier 2 applicants must first submit a letter of interest and receive an invitation to submit an application. Applications are submitted through Submittable, and applicants are instructed to submit from the primary contact account. A formal quote or estimate is required for any contractor or service provider costing more than $5,000. Applications are evaluated for demonstrated impact on low-income, under-represented, or marginalized youth; a clear and well-developed program description; a detailed budget and match directly supporting the proposed program; intentionally designed climate or environmental education; equitable access to outdoor recreation for New Mexico youth; and community support through partnerships and letters of support. Tier 2 applications receive additional weight for youth workforce development and program data collection, measurement, and evaluation. A review committee individually scores applications and makes final funding recommendations. Partial awards may be offered based on scoring and Outdoor Recreation Division staff discretion. Awarded programs must submit one progress report and one final report. Tier 1 projects must be completed within 18 months of the fully executed grant agreement, while Tier 2 projects must be completed within 24 months. For the upcoming Round 2, Tier 2 letters of interest are accepted January 1 through January 12, 2027. Tier 2 invitation status will be provided before applications open. Required Tier 1 Info and Q&A Sessions are scheduled for January 20 and January 21, 2027, and the Tier 2 session is December 9, 2026. Applications for both tiers open February 1, 2027 and close February 26, 2027 at 5:00 PM MT. Applicants are notified of approval or denial within two months of the application deadline. Funds are disbursed in full after execution of the grant agreement, submission of an invoice, and completion of required documentation. Incorrect W-9 or ACH forms may delay payment. The Grants Coordinator is Evan Pilling, who can be contacted at evan.pilling@edd.nm.gov. Applicants experiencing problems with Submittable are directed to the Submittable help desk. Tier 1 recipients may apply again in the next fiscal year, approximately 12 months after the initial application, after submitting a progress and/or final report and spending more than 50 percent of their current award. Tier 2 recipients may apply again 18 months after the initial application, regardless of the tier sought, after submitting a progress and/or final report and spending at least 50 percent of current grant funding.

Align the program description, budget, and match directly; demonstrate impact on low-income, under-represented, or marginalized youth; intentionally design climate or environmental education; show equitable outdoor access and community support; Tier 2 applicants should emphasize youth workforce development, outcome measurement, data collection, and strong partnerships; double-check requested amount, budget, match, W-9, and ACH information; request only what is needed and submit before the deadline to avoid technical issues.