MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Happy Holidays everyone! I hope that this message finds you, your family and community doing well. This year, the Chamiza Foundation provided support for 7 projects. We provided support for projects that focused on language, agriculture, storytelling, art, youth development, intercultural exchange, and land stewardship. The total amount distributed into our Pueblo communities for 2024 was $93,543.84.
Throughout the year the Chamiza Foundation underwent significant changes. Our chairwoman of 14 years stepped down, and Mr. James Phillips took over as Chair. We welcomed three new female board members and hired an additional staff member. This year, we successfully hosted a grant writing workshop, which we hope to make an annual event. We also aim to develop other technical skills workshops that our Pueblo grant writers need, including topics such as grant writing for various types of grants, capacity building, grant management, and digital media considerations.
The foundation has been engaged in several important initiatives. We are currently planning a symposium scheduled for the fall of 2026. This event aims to engage Pueblo leadership, both past and present awardees, as well as former and current board members, to discuss the impact of the Chamiza Foundation since its inception. In addition, we are in the process of selecting a Pueblo filmmaker to create the first-ever “Chamiza Foundation Legacy Film,” which will be premiered at the symposium. As mentioned in previous newsletters, we are also developing a strategic plan that will serve as a roadmap, outlining the foundation’s long-term direction, identifying key priorities, and detailing the actions needed to achieve our vision and mission.
Throughout this year, I have continued to serve on various boards and organizations such as the New Mexico Agriculture Funder Group, the Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching Board and Advisory Council, New Mexico Tribal Planners Roundtable and the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. And as of this month, I was asked to serve as a member of the Host Committee for the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders Forum which will be taking place in June 2025. All of these organizations continue to do tremendous things for our tribal communities and for the New Mexico social sector and I am very honored to serve in these various capacities.
As a reminder, we will be accepting applications for Chamiza Foundation support in 2025. Our first deadline will be on Friday, February 7, 2025. Please visit our website to download an updated version of our application. Our priority areas are language preservation, traditional architecture, sustainable agriculture, traditional arts & crafts, tribal & ancestral history, oral histories & storytelling, youth education & leadership, intercultural/intergenerational exchange, and education.
Eligibility-The Chamiza Foundation invites proposals from the following:
- New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo Indian tribal communities
- Ysleta del Sur Pueblo located in El Paso, Texas, member of the All Pueblo Council of Governors and the 20th Pueblo
- Pueblo community leaders
- Non-Pueblo organizations that serve Pueblo communities. These entities must submit a letter of support from the Governor of the Pueblo as evidence that the community has requested their involvement
There are three ways that you can apply 1) You can complete your application online through our website 2) You can email your application to apply@chamiza.org or 3) You can send your completed application directly to me at executivedirector@chamiza.org. Please let me know if you have any questions about applying to the Chamiza Foundation.
Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a blessed New Year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Amanda J. Montoya
