Investing in Otero County’s Health and Quality of Life
Our Approach
Sacramento Mountains Foundation believes that every great community is built on the strength of its people. Our approach is rooted in two core principles that help us turn a shared vision into lasting progress — capacity building and asset based community development.
A Hand Up for Long-Term Impact
Strengthening Local Nonprofits
Instead of just providing funds, we invest in the people and organizations that form the backbone of Otero County. Our goal is to strengthen local skills, capabilities, and resources, ensuring that our partners can thrive for years to come. We offer guidance and support that creates a powerful ripple effect, extending far beyond a single project and creating sustainable success for Otero County and surrounding communities.
Powered From Within
Building Community Resilience Together
We believe that every community has the resources it needs to prosper. Our job is to help uncover and connect those strengths. This "inside-out" philosophy focuses on mobilizing existing assets — from passionate leaders and dedicated volunteers to our beautiful natural spaces and local businesses. We meet our communities where they are, helping them to see their own potential and build their futures from the ground up.
Our Mission
Sacramento Mountains Foundation is committed to empowering Otero County's future by focusing on its greatest assets: its people and communities.
Identifying potential partners and projects — whether health-related, recreational, educational, or other identified needs — that improve the quality of life for the residents of Otero County is central to our mission.
A Meaningful Impact
We believe that actions speak louder than words. Our work is a direct reflection of our partnerships and the dedication of our community. Here are some stories of how we've come together to create change.
Empowering Educators Through TeachOtero
TeachOtero, one of our flagship programs, provides grants up to $1,000 directly to Otero County teachers for classroom supplies, equipment, and enrichment activities. Over two years, we have awarded grants to more than 100 teachers across Otero County schools because teachers shouldn't have to pay out of pocket to help their students succeed.
Tackling Blight: The AVD Initiative
In partnership with the Lakota Group, we are developing a comprehensive strategy to address 416 abandoned, vacant, and distressed properties across Alamogordo. Community speak-out sessions engaged 185 participants, and we're building a strategic toolkit of solutions based on this input. (AVD: Abandoned, Vacant, and Distressed)
Investing in Youth Behavioral Health
The Foundation awarded a grant to the Counseling Center to launch The Seven Challenges, an evidence-based program for adolescents with substance use and co-occurring mental health issues. Rather than demanding immediate abstinence, the program meets youth where they are to improve their lives, helping them make informed decisions that reduce substance use and improve mental health.
Strengthening Local Nonprofits
Our annual Nonprofit Summit brings nonprofit leaders together for a free, full-day conference featuring national speakers on fundraising, content creation, financial management, and legal essentials. The 2025 Summit included $7,500 in awards recognizing nonprofit excellence in our community.
Hands-On Technical Assistance
Our goal is to strengthen the organizational capacity of the nonprofit sector across Otero County. We provide resources to improve the infrastructure of local nonprofits, including startup assistance for new nonprofits and governance advice upon request. We have an established grant writer on staff to assist our local nonprofits, free of charge, in finding state and national funds for existing or future projects. Over $1 million has been awarded to nonprofits in our communities to date from those grants.
Building a Path to Success
In a community where youth programs are critical assets, the Foundation's partnership with local youth organizations and public schools has helped provide the structure and support needed to expand its reach.
Convening Our Community
We sponsored screenings of "First We Bombed New Mexico" at the Flickinger Center and in Mescalero bringing community members together to learn about and discuss the impact of the Trinity nuclear test on our region. We also provided a screening of "Undivide Us," a film that challenges the idea that citizens who disagree are not capable of civil conversation.
Investing in Leadership
When the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts needed a new executive director, we funded a professional national search through The Moran Company. Strong leadership makes strong organizations, and we're committed to building that capacity throughout Otero County.
Addressing Housing Needs
We're developing comprehensive housing initiatives for Otero County, from emergency shelter to workforce housing to AVD property rehabilitation. We're currently recruiting a director of housing development to lead these programs and build a dedicated housing program office.
Recognizing Those Who Serve
We support the Alamogordo Police Department and COPE Christmas celebrations — small gestures that recognize the first responders and volunteers who show up when it matters. Community building happens through these acknowledgments of service.
Connecting our Community with World-Class Speakers
We proudly bring world-famous speakers to the Alamogordo area. We launched the series in September 2025 with Terry Bradshaw and will continue to host entertainers and inspirational voices in Otero County on a semiannual basis.
OTERO | Communities We Work With:
Alamogordo
Boles Acres
Chaparral
Cloudcroft
High Rolls
Holloman AFB
La Luz
Mescalero Apache Tribe
Tularosa
Otero County’s Resource Hub
Investing in the skills, capabilities, and resources of nonprofits and government entities.
Partner With Us
Do you have a vision to help improve our community? We can help you develop a plan to bring it to life. We are a resource hub built to empower local leaders and organizations.
Write Us:
P.O. Box 2034
Alamogordo, NM 88311
