The New Mexico landscape is dominated by browns and greens – thick dirt and sage brush. Trees go bare in the fall, winter brings snow. As the temperatures warm, signs of life appear, and colors emerge. To encounter a tulip, lilac, or daffodil in the high desert inspires hope. These plants ‘will' themselves through the ground with little water – rendering them bright and robust.

The same could be said for our statewide social movements. The powerful advocacy and organizing happening in New Mexico, particularly at the intersections of gender justice, climate justice, and economic justice, result in wins that benefit children and families. Victories are derived from rigorous long-term work and a collective spirit of community.

If policy wins that benefit communities are the bright and fragrant ‘blooms’ in our social change ecosystem, then philanthropy’s role is to water and nourish the soil in which the leaders and organizers of these movements flourish.

NewMexicoWomen.Org (NMW.O), the only funder that supports gender justice and healing in our state, remains committed to resourcing this landscape. This spring, we invite you to learn about the potent advocacy and policy work happening here and encourage you to invest in the organizations and issues that inspire you most.  

We’re excited to share our newest publication: “Investing in Gender Justice Advocacy.” This framework contains a values-driven, community-rooted methodology for funding gender justice advocacy work across New Mexico. 

At NMW.O, we believe in shifting the systems that perpetuate gender inequity by investing in the power of community. This paper outlines our advocacy investment methodology, shaped in partnership with Aranda Strategies and informed by the insights of over 40 community leaders and organizations on the frontlines of gender justice, healing, and collective care. 

Whether you’re a funder, policymaker, or community advocate, we invite you to explore our recommended approaches for resourcing gender justice advocacy—and to join us in supporting the powerful work happening across our state. 

This week, our team joined changemakers from across New Mexico at the Groundworks 3rd Annual Social Sector Conference—a generative gathering that deepened our connections, creativity and relationships across the nonprofit and philanthropic ecosystem. Our CEO, Sarah Ghiorse, moderated a featured session: Intentional Philanthropic Approaches to Policy Advocacy.

The panel explored the various approaches through which philanthropy can meaningfully and strategically support policy advocacy efforts—especially those rooted in community leadership and aimed at long-term systemic change. 

The discussion featured NMW.O’s Senior Director of Grantmaking & Community Partnerships, Renee Villarreal, alongside Michelle Gutierrez of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Dr. Gwen Perea Warniment of the LANL Foundation.

Michelle reminded us that even amidst national uncertainty, we may be standing in a moment of opportunity—a chance to build systems that truly provide for families, children, and community needs. We were reminded of—and deeply grateful for—the coalitions and relationships it takes to do this work. Policy advocacy doesn’t look just one way; there are many tools and strategies that can be leveraged by the social sector to advance equitable and just policies and practices. 

As we continue to navigate complex and shifting policy landscapes, we’re reminded that aligned, intentional philanthropy is essential to strengthening the policy advocacy ecosystem to advance gender justice and healing efforts across our state. 

Now more than ever, we need bold, creative approaches to uproot the harmful norms and systems that perpetuate violence, gender inequity, and disconnection. That’s why NewMexicoWomen.Org continues to invest in transformative, community-rooted work through our unique Healthy Masculinities grants. 

The Healthy Masculinities grant program was created in 2023 to support organizations and initiatives that are reimagining what masculinity can look like—grounded in healing, accountability, and care. From conversations on consent and healthy relationships, to work with perpetrators focused on violence prevention, to transgender cultural competency, these efforts are supporting communities across New Mexico to engage in the deep, necessary work of unpacking patriarchy and healing our gendered wounds. 

We are proud to reinvest in a powerful cohort of grantee partners who are growing healthy masculinities and tending to intergenerational healing. These organizations are not only shifting culture, but they are also helping to build the conditions for safer, more connected futures for us all. 



Meet the 2025 Healthy Masculinities grantee partners and learn more about their work here:  

With gratitude for your support,



Sarah Ghiorse

President & CEO