Ten nonprofits are awarded, one each month for ten months

The Los Alamos Community Foundation is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of building philanthropy in 2025 by awarding $1000 “surprise” grants to local nonprofit organizations. LACF is giving away $1000 a month for ten months. The surprise gifts will be given away starting in February and continuing up to LACF's anniversary in November—and it’s YOU who gets to award the grant.

The Foundation is looking for stories about local nonprofit organizations and their personal impact to you, someone you love, and/or Los Alamos community.

Volunteers will select one organization a month from February through November to receive $1000. As part of LACF’s commitment to lifting and supporting our local non-profit organizations, and in celebration of our 10-year anniversary, we are giving community members the chance to be the GRANTOR to a deserving charitable organization in our community.

The Foundation asks nominators to keep a secret—these grants are meant to be a surprise!  If your nonprofit nominee is selected, you must be willing to share your story and to personally give away the $1000 check. A photographer and LACF representatives will come along to capture the moment to share with our local media and community. The arrangements will be worked out in advance with the nominator.

1. QUALIFICATIONS OF NOMINATED NONPROFIT. Before submitting this application, please make sure your nominated organization is current with all state and federal reporting requirements including being in good standing with the IRS, NM Secretary of State, and NM Attorney General. Please contact us with questions, and we can check for you.
2. HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. LACF is looking for stories about local nonprofit organizations and their personal impact to you, someone you love, and Los Alamos community. In order to enter, complete this form, which must include the following: your name, telephone number, email address, along with the nonprofit organization and a contact person for that nonprofit. Then explain in 200 words  or less the reason you are nominating this organization and the impact it’s made for you, those around you and/or Los Alamos. The organization being nominated must be headquartered in Los Alamos County to be eligible. Community members may nominate multiple nonprofits, but may enter only one nomination per nonprofit. An organization is only eligible to receive a grant once during this 10-month campaign.
3.  HOW THE GRANTEES ARE CHOSEN: Each month, from February through November 2025, grantees will be chosen from nominations received by a committee of current and past LACF board members. The person nominating that potential winner may be asked to go with representatives of LACF to present the award to their nominee.
4.  AWARDS: There will be up to ten (10) grants awarded of $1000. A ceremonial check will be used for the nominator to award to the non-profit representative. A subsequent check from LACF will be given as well.