We’ve now entered the season when everyone’s inboxes, mailboxes and social media are filled with solicitations, exhortations and requests for support. What would happen if, as we sift through them, we asked ourselves, “what matters?”

Does a level playing field for all kids when they start school matter? How about access to healthy food? To safe and affordable housing? To employment opportunities? A thriving economy?

What if, just by living in the Albuquerque area, you were encouraged, educated, empowered and employed? That you understood that you mattered? That’s what we at the Albuquerque Community Foundation envision. A community where we all acknowledge the inherent value of all our neighbors. A community where all people have the opportunity to thrive.

For 35 years, the Foundation has supported hundreds of organizations and thousand of people from communities throughout the Greater Albuquerque area. Because community matters. And when community matters, people protect it, care for it and care for the people in it.

We believe that by working together, as a community, we can make Albuquerque a place where every person can reach full potential. A community where every person matters. We’re working toward these goals – addressing current community needs and investing in the work of organizations that collaborate with others to make long-term, transformative change. Always with the ultimate goal of making Albuquerque a community where every person can succeed.

That’s what matters to us. We hope you’ll join us in supporting what matters.