Annual Community Benefit Fund Ceremony Celebrates Twenty-Five Microgrant Recipients
FARMINGTON, N.M. — In a luncheon on December 8th, Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) gathered twenty-five different Community Benefit Fund award winners to celebrate their successful grant applications. Each winner, either a non-profit organization or Navajo chapter, had detailed plans on how it expects to leverage the microgrant funding, ranging in amounts from $2,900-$27,000, depending on the project.
Each year since it established the Community Benefit Fund in 2015, NTEC has given between twenty-five and thirty-five different non-profit or Navajo chapter organizations recognition and financial support by way of microgrants. The grant money is typically awarded to organizations working on projects related to education and youth development, environmental stewardship, economic development, or cultural sustainability. To date, NTEC has awarded more than $1.8M in microgrant funds to small projects or projects that might not have been funded otherwise due to budgetary constraints.
“We are constantly inspired by the community organizations that work so hard to empower the Navajo people and elevate the quality of life across the Nation,” said Vern Lund, NTEC CEO. “We’re proud to rally alongside them and offer our support through the Community Benefit Fund, and are looking forward to seeing this money in action – from providing necessities to building community infrastructures like playgrounds and trails,” he continued.
“Every year we advertise the Community Benefit Fund, hold community workshops, and invite all 110 Navajo chapters and other non-profit organizations on and off the Navajo Nation to learn about the grant application process,” said Cortasha Upshaw, NTEC government and community relations coordinator. “We’re always encouraged by the diversity of applications we receive and are excited to continue growing participation in the program.”
The application period for grant funding is from August through October each year, and in 2023, Kaye Nave-Mark, NTEC community relations coordinator, will oversee the program. “We realize that there are many projects that get overlooked because they are smaller in scope and might not get the attention they deserve. With the CBF, we give those projects a chance,” said Nave-Mark. “I want to congratulate all of our 2022 recipients and thank NTEC for championing its commitment to Navajo Nation with these grant funds every year.”
2022 Community Benefit Fund Grant Recipients:
- Newcomb Chapter
- Kirtland Youth Association, Inc.
- Red Feather Development Group
- Tres Rios Habitat for Humanity
- New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children (NMAEYC)
- Nazlini Chapter Government
- New Mexico State University Foundation, on behalf of NMSU Cooperative Extension Services
- Native Renewables Inc.
- Navajo Way
- Chinle Chapter Government
- Teesto Chapter
- 4Corners K-9 Search+Rescue
- Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico (SAS)
- Seeds of Harmony, Inc.
- Farmington Rio del Sol Kiwanis
- Window Rock Unified School District
- Aztec Municipal School District
- Cornfields Chapter
- San Juan County Life Skills Foundation-First Tee Four Corners
- Don’t Meth With Us Foundation
- IGW Children’s Hope Foundation, Inc.
- Crownpoint Headstart Unit I / II
- Boys & Girls Club of Farmington
- Northwest New Mexico Arts Council
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Juan County (BBBS-SJC)