LACF News: The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) announces its annual grantmaking cycle is occurring in February this year. LACF grants are funded through generous donations to endowments (invested funds) and Donor Advised Funds, including the Anchorum Health Foundation. LACF invites 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in Los Alamos County to submit a grant application in the following funding categories:
Discretionary Grants: Nonprofits may request up to $5,000 to fund projects that increase the overall financial health of the organization. LACF defines “financial health” as any effort which results in a measurable improvement across one or more dimensions of an organization’s financial sustainability. Actions may include but are not limited to: diversifying funding sources and income streams; building technological capacity for increased efficiency; investing in board development to strengthen governance and fiduciary oversight; pursuing a formal financial audit or review; and/or increasing marketing efforts to broaden outreach and bring in new donors/customers/clients.
Youth Sports: Nonprofits may request up to $2,400 to fund competitive youth sports activities; specifically, projects that build leadership skills in youth through achievement in competitive team sports. Youth served by the project or program must live in Los Alamos County and/or attend Los Alamos schools and be between the ages of 5-18. Eligible activities include but are not limited to tournament and travel expenses, team fees, and equipment purchase.
Music Organizations: Up to $750 is available in unrestricted operating support to nonprofits whose work expands knowledge and appreciation of genres such as classical, orchestral and band music, light opera, marching band, and choral performances for adult populations.
New in 2025- Health and Wellness: Nonprofits may request up to $5,000 to fund initiatives that enhance the health and well-being of the Los Alamos Community. This funding is intended to empower local nonprofits which are currently or plan to implement innovative and impactful programs to address pressing health issues, promote wellness, and foster equitable access to health resources. Eligible activities include but are not limited to initiatives or activities that align with the following health priorities: mental health and emotional wellbeing, disease prevention, food security, equity and access, health promotion, community health collaboration.
The grant application cycle opens Saturday, February 1 at 9:00 am and closes Friday February 28 at 5:00pm. Awardees will be notified by the end of March with funds available for distribution within 2-3 weeks of award notice.
Organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status and would like to apply for funding may be eligible to do so through use of a fiscal sponsor.
More information on this year’s grant cycle can be found here. Please reach out if you have additional questions.
About the Los Alamos Community Foundation: Established in 2015, the Los Alamos Community Foundation seeks to improve the local quality of life by inspiring, facilitating and supporting enduring philanthropy, and building the capacity and success of our local nonprofit organizations. The Los Alamos Community Foundation currently stewards sixteen locally endowed funds and has total assets of over $1.5M. For more information about the Los Alamos Community Foundation or to donate to support local grants and programs, visit www.losalamoscf.org.