NM Funders Collaborative: Jennifer Riordan Educate 2 Elevate (JRE2E) Grant

The Jennifer Riordan Educate 2 Elevate Grant (JRE2E) is a collaborative funding opportunity that brings together funders from across New Mexico to pool resources and make at least one high impact grant of $50,000. This grant is a collaborative investment from funders in various sectors and we encourage organizations to demonstrate similar collaborative thinking when submitting applications.

Recent national data show that middle school students in New Mexico rank among the nation’s lowest in math and literacy rates. These critical years serve as the bridge between when a student may plant the seeds for a successful path in high school, potentially leading to college and/or career readiness, or when a student may fall behind and struggle to continue with his/her education.

This grant opportunity is intended to support nonprofit organizations serving middle school students and their families. Key interest areas for this opportunity include programs that strengthen:

1. Parent/adult/mentor involvement: Programs that engage adults as role models or serve as supportive figures in a middle school student’s life and education.
2. Out-of-school time/extended learning programming: Afterschool, summer, or other out-of-school time programs that boost students’ educational, social, and/or behavioral growth to keep them engaged in their academic success. Programs may include, but are not limited to, math, literacy, STEM, arts, and sports.
3. Project-based learning: Programs in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.
4. Transitional programs: Programs that address the challenges middle school students may face transitioning from elementary school to middle school and leaving middle school to enter high school. Thoughtful transitions can be critical in creating a continuum of positive educational trajectory.
5. Career readiness: Programs that expose students to career and workforce development opportunities as a way to supplement classroom activities. This may also include financial literacy and soft-skill development.
6. Teacher/professional development: Programs that support the advancement of teachers’ professional and classroom development so they can better position their students for academic and personal success.

There will be one information session hosted with all participating funders on July 27th from 9:00am – 10:30am at the Albuquerque Journal Auditorium (7777 Jefferson Street NE).

Amount: There will be a minimum of one $50,000 grant awarded.

Eligibility: Eligible organizations must be:

• exempt from U.S. federal income tax pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and classified as a public charity under section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2) of the Code; and/or
• an educational institution or governmental entity;
• located anywhere in the United States, however a local partner supporting Central New Mexico is required.

Link: https://www.nmfunders.org/e2e/

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