# New Mexico Awards Outdoor Equity Fund Grants

The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division awarded **$2.2 million** through its Outdoor Equity Fund on September 24, 2026, supporting 54 programs that engage over 17,000 youth statewide in outdoor activities. This funding round introduces a higher tier for large-scale initiatives and expands program reach into new counties, emphasizing paid opportunities and workforce development within New Mexico's $3.6 billion outdoor recreation industry. These grants aim to foster health, education, and workforce readiness by connecting youth to outdoor careers and training.

- The funding supports diverse organizations including therapeutic horsemanship, cultural centers, and youth cycling programs, highlighting broad community engagement.
- Procurement professionals should note the emphasis on workforce development and paid youth opportunities, signaling potential for future contracts focused on training and employment in outdoor sectors.
- This initiative reflects state-level investment in outdoor recreation as an economic driver, encouraging contractors to align proposals with health, education, and workforce readiness outcomes.
- Organizations serving New Mexico counties such as Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Chaves, and Cibola may find increased opportunities through expanded program tiers and geographic reach.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Environment
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD)
- Economic Development New Mexico (EDNM)

### Vendors
- Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation (awardee)
- Center of Southwest Culture, Inc. (awardee)
- Cloud Dancers Therapeutic Horsemanship (awardee)
- CYCLE Kids Inc. (awardee)
- Nature Niños (awardee)

### Key Quotes
> By connecting local youth with these lands, careers, training and paid work, we are building a workforce that can stay rooted here, care for these places and create the same opportunities for generations to come.
> — Ben Mortensen

> Investing in outdoor opportunities for young people is an investment in both healthy communities and New Mexico’s economy.
> — Rob Black, Economic Development New Mexico Cabinet Secretary

### Sources
- [State's Outdoor Equity Fund will get more than 17,000 youth outside - NM Economic Development Department](https://edd.newmexico.gov/press-releases/states-outdoor-equity-fund-will-get-more-than-17000-youth-outside/) - NM