2026 Resilient Communities Fund

Introduction

2026 Resilient Communities Fund Grant Application:

for New Mexico MainStreet Designated MainStreet Programs

To be considered for a 2026 Resilient Communities Fund grant, fill out the online form by 5:00 pm Mountain on Friday, April 10th, 2026. Please refer to the funding criteria document HERE. See the 2026 Funding Priorities below:

2026 Funding Priorities

The New Mexico Resiliency Alliance, in partnership with New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS), is prioritizing funding for projects in MainStreet/ACD districts that have a clear and stated positive impact on revitalization efforts and/or small businesses and entrepreneurs, demonstrate readiness for implementation, and clearly identify the ability to leverage resources based on the funding requested (i.e. cash or in-kind match and NMMS technical assistance). Applications that demonstrate a readiness to collect and report metrics to demonstrate the project impact on revitalization and economic vitality will have a stronger chance of receiving funding. Generally, funding priorities will be:

1. Community Economic and Entrepreneurism Development: New or innovative Economic Vitality projects that demonstrate an immediate and positive impact on small businesses and enhance the economy of the MainStreet district.

2. Design, Urban Planning/Placemaking: Projects that demonstrate a direct, immediate, and positive impact to encourage usage of the physical district, improve mobility and safety, and/or support small businesses. Proposals that demonstrate a clear and measurable benefit to enhancing the district’s economy will be considered, including the following:

· Improving streetscapes.

· Improving mobility and safety for all users.

· Enhancing façades for buildings and infrastructure for small businesses.

· Preserving historic and cultural assets.

· Enhancing public spaces for civic and community engagement.

3. Development of the Arts, Cultural or Creative Economy: Projects that demonstrate a direct, immediate, and positive impact to enhance the creative economy and support businesses and/or creative entrepreneurs in the district (includes public art, performing arts, events, scenic/cultural corridor projects, or creative economic endeavors).

4. Marketing, Branding or Communications: Projects that demonstrate a direct, immediate, and positive impact to attract diverse community members and customers to the district and/or support small businesses.

5. Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Stewardship: Projects that demonstrate a clear benefit to the revitalization of the MainStreet/ACD district and/or positive impact on businesses through the leveraging of outdoor recreation and/or natural resources.

6. Local Food Systems: Projects that strengthen local food systems for residents (via community-supported agriculture, co-ops, agricultural entrepreneurism, etc.) while also demonstrating an immediate and positive impact on small businesses in the district.

7. Organizational Capacity-Building: Projects and fundraising challenge grants that increase the ability of “community builders” (individuals and/or organizations) to successfully engage in work that reflects the priorities listed above.

Application Information

New Mexico MainStreet Designation (Note: MS and ACD programs should submit a joint application; the NMRA will not fund two separate projects in one community during the same grant cycle, additionally ACD program and all other interested entities will have to submit with the assistance from their local MainStreet Director)

MSA AccreditedMSA Affiliate

Organization Name

Contact Details

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Address for the Organization

Address Line 2

City

State

Postal Code

Federal EIN

NM Corporation/Business ID:

Is your nonprofit in good standing with the NM Secretary of State and NM Attorney General?

YesNo

If you selected no, please explain

Are all board members financially invested in the organization (i.e., all board members provide an annual contribution)?

YesNo

If you selected no, please explain

Project Information

Project Title

Amount Requested

Project Description

Resilient Community Funding Priorities (Refer to “Funding Criteria” document HERE; select only those that apply, and number them in order of importance to your project.)

Community Economic and Entrepreneurism Development.

Design, Urban Planning/Placemaking

Development of the Arts, Cultural or Creative Economy

Marketing, Branding or Communications

Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Stewardship

Local Food Systems

Organizational Capacity-Building

Scope of work Please describe your project and the need it is addressing. (250 word limit)

Scope of work Describe where the location of your project/activities are in your district

Scope of work Please describe how you will use NMMS technical assistance to implement this project. Note: Applicants who indicate they have contacted a NMMS Revitalization Specialist for assistance with their project are preferred.

Scope of work Please list the project activities to be completed with a timeline.

Expected Completion Date: (must be no later than 12/31/2026)

If you have successfully applied for a NMRA grant in the past tell us how you were able to successfully complete the project within the time frame provided. If you required an extension, briefly explain why and how you will work to be sure to make your deadline? If this is your first application to the NMRA please tell us how you plan to meet your project deadline.

(150 word limit)

Intended Use of Funds. Describe what project funds will be used for. Provide a basic budget that lists line items and their budgeted costs. If you are going to attach a budget in a separate document to your application, please indicate that below. (150 word limit)

Budget upload

Match and Leveraged Resources. What other resources will your organization be collecting or contributing to support the project? Please keep in mind that quality projects identifying a 1:1 match (50% cash, 50% in-kind) may be given priority.

Volunteer Time Value (multiply estimated volunteer hours by current (2024) NM Value of Volunteer Time $28.69 for estimated value):

Cash Matching Funds (est. amount): (describe below)

In-Kind: Materials, Equipment, or Other Supports (describe and identify sources):

Partners. List any partners that are supporting the project (and how):

Do your match resources add up to a “1-to-1” match (cash and/or in-kind) of your requested grant amount? If not, why? And what will you do to identify additional matching resources?

How will you track/report leveraged resources? (50 word limit)

Strategy & Work Plan Alignment. How does this project support your Economic Transformation Strategies? Is it included in your organization's annual work plan? If not, why isn't it in your work plan? (150 word limit)

Anticipated Outcomes. Please describe what “impact” the project will have and the positive changes (outcomes) that will result from the funding. Identify (minimum) three measurable objectives that you would like to achieve through this project. Please be specific. (150 word limit)

Project Evaluation. How will you track your project’s progress toward achieving your identified objectives and overall impact? What evaluation tools will you utilize? Describe how you will determine that the project achieved the identified outcomes. (100 word limit)

Project Storytelling. Identify how you plan to communicate/report your projects impact? (Ex: storytelling, images, blog posts, social media, press releases, etc.) (100 word limit)

Community Resilience:

NMRA defines “Resiliency” as the capacity: 1) to respond effectively to change while honoring/drawing upon core community strengths and values, 2) to adapt successfully to new and unforeseen conditions and circumstances, 3) and to seize opportunities to flourish. A resilient community has an awareness of its strengths and assets, and a high capacity to utilize those assets to build community while adapting to changing socio-economic conditions in order to sustain economic activity, social connectivity, and quality of life.

Describe how your project will enhance resilience in a rural or underserved New Mexico community, and who will benefit from the project and how? (150 word limit)

Contact Information