The New Mexico Broadband Collective consists of funders and nonprofit organizations committed to ensuring access to broadband in “hard to connect communities” in the state of New Mexico. It is well established that COVID-19 disproportionately affected rural, Native American, and other hard to connect communities in New Mexico. Broadband is essential for healthcare, education and employment. The New Mexico Broadband Collective has cross sector representation, including foundations, nonprofit organizations, government, business, and community leaders. The Collective steering committee consists of the following individuals:
- Kimball Sekaquaptewa, Co-chair
- Alvin Warren, Co-Chair, LANL Foundation
- Barrett Brewer, Grant County Community Foundation
- Annmarie McLaughlin, Santa Fe Community Foundation
- JoAnn Melchor, New Mexico Foundation
- Amanda Montoya, Chamiza Foundation
- Allan Oliver, Thornburg Foundation
- Juaquin Moya, Albuquerque Community Foundation
- Terra Winters, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico
Backbone Support for the Collective is provided by Groundworks New Mexico.
Purpose Statement: The New Mexico Broadband Collective is made up of a diverse group of funders and nonprofits throughout New Mexico that believe it is necessary to have a statewide approach to ensuring broadband services for all New Mexicans, especially in our most rural communities, Native American communities, and communities impacted by the lack of broadband connectivity - to promote coordination of funding, resources, collaborative conversations, legislative efforts, and to amplify our statewide partnership efforts.
There are over 70 individuals convening and working on specific tasks to ensure we accomplish the Collective’s Purpose. Below is the list of work groups:
Supporting Regional Projects Work Group. Recognizing that there are many efforts and projects across the state of New Mexico working on broadband-related issues, this group identifies programs in “hard to connect” communities that could be supported by philanthropic funds.
Advocacy Work Group. This work group compiles, reviews and analyzes proposed and adopted legislation at the federal and state level.
The New Mexico Broadband Collective coordinates two funds:
New Mexico Broadband Equity Fund. This fund is housed at the New Mexico Foundation and provides philanthropic support for projects aligned with providing access to broadband in “hard to connect communities” in New Mexico. With special attention to Native American and rural populations, this fund provides flexible and accessible funds to our hardest to connect communities. For more information regarding this fund, please contact JoAnn Melchor, at [email protected].
New Mexico Broadband Technical Assistance Fund. This fund is housed at Groundworks New Mexico and is intended to enhance New Mexico’s capacity to apply for state and federal funds. The purpose of this fund is to provide flexible technical assistance funds, connections, and resources to hard to connect communities.