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Piñon Awards | Honoring Excellence in the Nonprofit Sector

Since 1987, the Santa Fe Community Foundation has selected and awarded the Piñon Awards to local nonprofit organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the community. First held in a board member’s living room, the Piñon Awards ceremony has become a fall tradition filling the La Fonda ballroom with awardees, supporters, and friends of the Foundation. 

Winning nonprofits have operated for at least three years in northern New Mexico, they are a 501c3 or tribal entity, they have a proven track record, serve the Foundation’s geographic area of service (Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties), and their work is aligned with one or more of the Foundation’s funding priorities: Cultural Vibrancy, Economic Security & Opportunities, Educational Success & Career Pathways, Health & Wellbeing, and Sustainable Agriculture & Stewardship of Resources. Organizations and individuals may be nominated by a board member, funder, past Piñon Award recipient or any member of the community. Staff from eligible nonprofits may also nominate their organization.

2022 Piñon Awards Timeline

Nominations Open: March 9, 2022

Nominations Due: Friday, May 6, 2022, by 5:00 pm

Nominees notified of Award winner decisions: Friday June 3, 2022

Awards ceremony in Santa Fe: Thursday, October 6, 2022, at La Fonda on the Plaza

Awards Categories

Courageous Innovation Award
An organization that is building off a solid base of knowledge; creating a new approach to solving a persistent problem in the community. Is using a bold and courageous approach, based on sound theory, to create solutions with broad, lasting impact that don’t currently exist in our region.

Quiet Inspiration Award
An organization whose hallmark it is to work quietly and respectfully among a wide range of people in the community. Has to be an organization that, despite its non-assuming presence in the community, has the full, long-term support of its clients and constituents.

Tried & True Award
An organization that provides high quality, much needed services and opportunities to the community. Has to have been in the community for more than ten years, be known for consistent high-quality programming, and have relevance in its core purpose despite changes in the external environment.

Visionary Award
An organization that is making measurable progress toward a well-articulated and achievable vision for what is to come. Has to be an organization that sees the ultimate outcome of their work being achieved far beyond the present, can anticipate the unmet needs of future generations, and has the stamina and patience to develop a path to success.

Philanthropic Leader Award
 An individual, family, or family foundation with a proven record of exceptional financial generosity and/or volunteer leadership who has 1. demonstrated extraordinary civic and charitable responsibility, 2. whose generosity inspires other to philanthropic action, and 3. demonstrated a long-term commitment to northern New Mexico communities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who will be considered for the organization award categories?

  • Nonprofit organizations that have operated programs/services for at least three years in northern New Mexico. For purposes of this nomination, an eligible nonprofit is defined as a tribal entity or an IRS approved tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, incorporated in New Mexico as a nonprofit corporation, and in compliance with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Organizations.
  • Nonprofits that have a proven track record and serve the Foundation’s geographic area of service (Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Taos counties).
  • Nonprofit whose work is consistent with the Foundation’s funding priorities for any of our seasonal grant cycles (see our website www.santafecf.org under “Grants” then “seasonal guidelines” for this information).
  • Previous Piñon Award recipients may be nominated for a new program, but only after at least five years from the date of the previous award.

Who will be considered for the Philanthropic Leader award?

  • An individual, family, or family foundation in the Foundation’s geographic area of service (Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Taos counties).
  • Volunteers, donors, and/or board members of nonprofit organizations in the Foundation’s geographic area of service (Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, and Taos counties).

Who may do the nominating?

A board member, funder, past Piñon Award recipient, or any member of the community. Staff from eligible nonprofits may also nominate their organization.

How do I send in a nomination?

Complete the form and instructions found here.

When are nominations due?

Nominations must be received no later than Friday, May 6, 2022, at 5:00 PM MDT.

Additional Information

Questions? Contact Cecily Martin at cmartin@santafecf.org or (505) 988-9715 x 7028.

Click here for previous Piñon Award winners from 1987-2021.