Our gala fundraising directly impacts our non-profit partners by allowing six organizations to apply for our gala grant each year. The six non-profits with the highest number of poker chips in their organization bucket at the end of the night at our gala are eligible to apply for our small grant program. The more we raise at our annual gala, the more we can award out! Learn more about who has previously been awarded and how these mini-grants have aided in organizational programming within southern New Mexico.
2012
In 2012 the Gala raised $4,000 that provided two small grant awards in the amount of $2,000 each. Of the $2,000 award, $500 went into the non-profits endowment fund and $1,500 funded a special project.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters used their $1,500 award to cover new and on-going background checks for the volunteers working with the children in the programs. With the award they were able to add 35 new mentors, creating 35 new “big/little” relationships.
- The Spay and Neuter Action Program (SNAP) used their $1,500 award to bring the Paws N’ Hoovs mobile van to Las Cruces for three days to spay/neuter approximately 75 companion dogs and cats.
2013
In 2013, the Gala raised $3,000 to provide one small grant, with $750 went going into the non-profit’s endowment fund and $2,250 funded towards a special project.
- Asombro Institute for Science Literacy used their grant to expand their efforts in training 30 middle school science teachers to incorporate science into their lesson plans while simultaneously covering the Common Core State Standards. 600 kindergarten through 8th grade students benefited from the grant. Students learned science concepts and teachers met the language arts and math standards from the Common Core State Standards.
2014
In 2014, the Gala raised $6,000 that provided two small grant awards in the amount $3,000 each. Of the $3,000 award, $750 went into the non-profit’s endowment fund and $2,250 went to funding their special project.
- Habitat for Humanity used its award to provide flooring, counter tops and fixtures for the interior of one of its houses.
- Hearts for Autism used its grant award to increase the number of children with autism spectrum disorder to attend a special summer camp and to develop materials in Spanish.