Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico continues assistance, fundraising amid pandemic

The nonprofit Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) is continuing to help many area families, individuals and organizations who are struggling because of COVID-19.

Here is an update on CFSNM programs from President and CEO Terra V. Winter:

• Together, Las Cruces has helped more than 1,500 individuals and families and has raised more than $450,000, all of which has been awarded in hardship grants.
• Thank You Las Cruces Fund has raised more than $28,000 and assisted with more than 1,700 meals to date and expects to serve an additional 1,100 meals before the end of 2020.
• The Nonprofit Emergency Fund awarded more than $100,000 to 29 nonprofits in southern New Mexico during its first cycle. The second grant cycle has opened. “We have roughly $40,000 additional dollars to award in November of 2020,” Winter said.
• The All Together NM Fund launched May 5. More than $4 million has been raised. More than nine grant cycles have been completed. This fund was created by a coalition of New Mexico nonprofits, including CFSNM. Visit www.alltogethernm.org.
• Gov. Bill Richardson, Edward James Olmos, Danny Trejo, George Lopez COVID Response Fund for the Southern Doña Ana colonias, which raised almost $75,000 and assisted more than 265 individuals and families in 10 colonias.

“We continue to fundraise and award grants before the end of 2020,” Winter said.

To donate and for more information, contact Winter at 575-521-4794 or terra@cfsnm.org. Visit

www.cfsnm.org. Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico is located at 2600 El Paseo Road in Las Cruces.

Community Foundation has ‘Gatsby Gala’ virtual fundraiser Oct. 17

The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) will host the “Gatsby Gala” virtual fundraiser beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Watch for free on You Tube.

The live auction will be held during the streamed event, with biddable items including a private jet for four to California with a weekend stay included. An Oct. 12-20 silent auction will include more than 30 items, like an Andele! gift basket and a 65-inch Yeti cooler.

To participate in either or both auctions, register at www.charityauction.bid/communityfoundation.

Speakeasy party boxes are available for purchase with enough food, drink and decorations for a small party of six to enjoy during the gala in the safety of home or office. The 1920s-themed party box includes photo sticks (for selfies), a deck of playing cards, face masks, a flapper headpiece, a cutting board, nosh food items, two bottles of wine, stemless wine glasses, a Gatsby Gala program and a family-fun bingo game with a chance to win “a great prize.”

To purchase a box and for more information, visit www.cfsnm.org. Also follow CFSNM on Facebook.

“Hosting a gala in the midst of a pandemic seems impossible, but CFSNM President and CEO Terra V. Winter described it as “just another opportunity to try something new and get more people within the community involved.