New Mexico Forum Foundation

Establishing an operating foundation to act as a catalyst for the Forum's long-term operational viability and financial sustainability is fundamental to the support of our mission of building and supporting the movement to Positive Youth Development in New Mexico. After five years of operations, the Forum now seeks to establish additional mechanisms, primarily an endowment, to become a cornerstone of ensuring that sustainability. The establishment of the Forum Foundation will further systematize the development of mid-term and long-term fund development strategies while developing other socially innovative mechanisms for sustainability (via incorporating "crowdsourcing" development strategies, web-based fundraising, sms/text giving, micro-giving community matching campaigns and providing broader technical assistance through the projects and services of an operating foundation).

The benefits of developing the New Mexico Forum Foundation, particularly as an operating foundation, are threefold. The New Mexico Forum Foundation will: 1) support the long-term program sustainability of the Forum and its' networks, as necessary, via technical assistance and planning; 2) support the long-term financial sustainability of the Forum through creation and management of an endowment, which will be used primarily to offset administrative and other "back office" costs, and 3) provide assistance to other non-profits and philanthropic organizations and foundations (via contracts) that require comprehensive supports around organizational, leadership and program development (including strategic planning).

This is a critical time in the life of the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community. The organization recently completed its first five years of operations under a five-year strategic plan. As planning continues for the next five years and beyond, all of the Forum's supporters must be intentional about how best to continue asset-based community and youth development work with quality and integrity. More importantly, the work of designing, building and sustaining new and existing internal systems, structures and processes must continue. By utilizing general operating support, deploying innovative technologies, developing strong philanthropic partnerships and embracing social entrepreneurship fund development strategies, the establishment of the New Mexico Forum Foundation takes a critical first step in realizing those levels of sustainability.

While the Foundation is being developed, we anticipate that the Forum will continue to align, expand and sustain infrastructural supports in the youth development field. The New Mexico Forum Foundation will work diligently alongside the Forum to provide non-profits and institutional partners such as the Children's Cabinet, the Next Generation Fund, the New Mexico Commission on Community Volunteerism and the New Mexico Youth Alliance with technical assistance supports, as they are deemed useful and necessary, that will compliment the expansion of quality organizations implementing quality programs in the service of New Mexico.