December 17, 2025 – Silver City, NM
The Gila Community Foundation (GCF) is proud to announce the completion of the 2025 Southline Community Investment Program (SCIP) grant cycle —one of the most competitive regional grant rounds in recent years.
More than 120 nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations from Grant, Luna, Doña Ana, and Hidalgo Counties applied, requesting over $1 million in total funding to support critical community needs.
Meeting an Overwhelming Community Need
Due to the unexpectedly high volume of applications, the SCIP Advisory Committee prioritized projects addressing:
Food insecurity Senior services Emergency and essential community services Animal welfare and veterinary clinics Community health and wellbeing
"Getting these funds into the hands of the organizations serving our region is absolutely essential," said Jamie Sechrist, Executive Director of the Gila Community Foundation. "We look forward to hearing from the local recipient organizations how funding tangibly improved life in the communities.
Grant County Awardees (Total of $84,500)
Aldo Leopold Charter Foundation $5,000
Silver Regional Sexual Assault Services $10,000
Asomboro Institute for Science Education $5,000
STEM Roadshow $10,000
El Refugio, Inc. $10,000
The Commons: Center for Food Security & Sustainability $10,000
Silver City Gospel Mission $10,000
Town of Silver City Helping the Unhoused $7,500
PFLAG $2,000
Grant County Office of Emergency Management $5,000
Village of Santa Clara Senior Meal Driver $10,000
Doña Ana County Awardees (Total $69,500)
Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue $9,000
Nature Friends $3,000
Casa de Peregrinos $10,000
Adelante Development Center $10,000
El Calvario United Methodist Church $10,000
Grajeda Huckaby Low Barrier Housing Fund $5,000
St. Andrew's Hospitality House $10,000
SNAP: Spay Neuter Action Program (of Las Cruces) $5,000
Morning Star Pantry $7,500
Luna County Awardees (Total $42,500)
Deming Animal Guardians $7,500
Deming Luna County Commission on Aging $10,000
Cancer Support of Deming & Luna County, Inc. $5,000
New Mexico Legal Aid $10,000
County of Luna dba as CASA of Grant, Luna & Hidalgo Counties $5,000
El Corazon de Columbus $5,000
Hidalgo County Awardees (Total $17,500)
NM Institute of Mining and Technology (Playas Research Training Center) $5,000
Hidalgo Literacy Program $7,500
Center for Health Innovation $5,000
Advisory Committee Leadership
The Southline Community Investment Program (SCIP) Advisory Committees, composed of community representatives from Grant, Luna, and Doña Ana Counties, led the review and selection process. Neither Southline Transmission Project nor its co-developers, Grid United and Black Forest Partners, determine grant recipients. GCF and SCIP extend sincere gratitude to each committee member for their thoughtful, thorough, and dedicated service in guiding this important regional investment.
More Opportunities Ahead in 2026
With ongoing partnership from SCIP, GCF will administer two additional grant cycles in 2026—one in late spring and another in late fall.
To receive updates, deadlines, and application details for upcoming funding opportunities, organizations are encouraged to:
Sign up for GCF's newsletter Follow GCF on social media Visit gilacf.org regularly
About Southline Community Investment Program
The Southline Community Investment Program (SCIP) is committed to strengthening communities across the Desert Southwest by supporting local projects, essential services, and nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, municipal, and county-level organizations serving one or more of the participating counties (Grant, Luna, and Doña Ana). The next grant cycle will open in late spring 2026.
About the Gila Community Foundation
The Gila Community Foundation (GCF) serves Grant, Luna, Hidalgo, and Catron Counties as a regional philanthropic leader. Through grants, fiscal sponsorships, donor services, and capacity-building programs, GCF supports nonprofits and enhances quality of life across Southwestern New Mexico. Learn more at gilacf.org.
About Southline Transmission Project
Southline Transmission Project (Southline) is a 280-mile, high-voltage transmission line that will connect the electrical transmission systems of the El Paso and Tucson areas. Southline will bidirectionally transport power and enable electricity generated in the Desert Southwest to reach new markets while improving grid reliability for the region. Learn more at www.southlinetransmission.com.
