Ready for a Different Kind of Politics?
In 2026, New Mexico IAF is bringing together people from all different walks of life for a series of conversations about what’s happening to families in New Mexico.
We’re building a powerful, diverse new organization, comprised of local institutions such as congregations, unions, schools, non–profits, and neighborhood groups who share a concern for their neighbors and a passion for democracy, and want to act together for the common good.
In this organization, everyday people become leaders who can truly impact the decisions of our local government.
Democracy starts here.
Conversation Campaign
We’re building this organization through a year-long conversation campaign. We’re bringing together people from different faiths, ages, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and political viewpoints, because conversations…
- Create relationships
- Strengthen our institutions
- Identify leaders
- Surface concrete, winnable issues affecting our families
- Build trust across the lines that usually divide us, so we can act together effectively on our shared interests, even when we don’t agree on everything.
This year is the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We’re using this document to frame our conversations and reflect on the real meaning of democracy.
OUR PROGRESS
- FUNDRAISING GOAL
$142,000
- of $250,000 goal
- 56.8% complete
- CONVERSATIONS
487
- of 1,000 goal
- 48.7% complete
50 Years of Organizing
Our new organization will be affiliated with over 30 sister organizations across the western United States through the Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation’s longest standing community organizing network. Our regional network, the West Southwest IAF, was founded in San Antonio in 1974.
Albuquerque has organized with the IAF before, and achieved a proud track record of community impact, through the 30–year history of its former organization, Albuquerque Interfaith.
Inspired by this history, we’re creating a new,
even more powerful, more diverse organization that will last for another generation.
Regional Impact
NEW ORLEANS
TNO Wins $30M to Create Climate-Resilient Community Based Power Plant.
LOS ANGELES
One LA Sparks Congressional Investigation into ICE Raids.
LAS VEGAS
NCG Gains Commitments to Expand Health Care Access in Nevada .
SAN ANTONIO
COPS/Metro’s Project QUEST lifts San Antonians out of poverty through high-wage job training.
DENVER
CCG supports workers and prevents a decrease in statewide tipped wages.
EL PASO
EPISO wins $2 Million for sewer infrastructure.
What We Do
IAF organizations are built by everyday people, for everyday people to have a powerful voice in the decisions that affect their lives and communities.
- We teach people from all walks of life to become public leaders who listen to their neighbors, identify issues, and build the power to solve them by engaging in civic life at the local level.
- In an era of polarization, we build trust among people and institutions across the racial, economic, political, and faith boundaries that often divide our communities.
- We strengthen institutions by building the leadership capacity of their members.
- We engage with decision-makers from the public and private sector to create effective solutions to the issues we identify.
How We Work
We are a non-partisan 501(c3). We will not endorse any candidate or party.
We choose the issues we act on by conducting individual relational meetings and house (small group) meetings to hear the real-life stories of our communities.
Our members are institutions, such as congregations, schools, non–profits, unions, and neighborhood associations.
We’re led by local leaders from these member institutions, with support from professional IAF organizers to facilitate local leadership development.
Member institutions own our organization so they decide its agenda, by pledging money to fund the majority of our budget. We supplement this with individual and grant funding. No government funding.
We do not accept money that tries to direct who we work with or what we do.
Join Us!
Ready to be part of the next chapter of building power in New Mexico? Fill out this Google Form and we’ll connect you with your local organizing team.