The Laboratory, its employees, and its managing contractor Triad are committed to help Northern New Mexico thrive by creating programs and also partnering with organizations throughout the region.
We focus on three main areas:
Improving educational opportunities for children
Promoting economic and workforce development, to grow small businesses and help people into jobs
Supporting nonprofits as they help address issues facing the community
To enhance and expand the Laboratory’s work in the community, managing contractor Triad National Security, LLC, invests in nonprofit programs in the region under its own Community Commitment Plan.
Information in this report is from FY 2021 (which runs Oct 1 2020 - Sept 30 2021), except where stated.
Education
The success of the region and of Los Alamos National Laboratory depends on skilled people. To help produce better education outcomes for students, the Laboratory supports initiatives from elementary school through higher education.
A high school students works with a Pojoaque Valley Intermediate School student in the afterschool math program established as part of the Regional Partnership School initiative.
In the fourth year of the Regional Partnership School program with partners Pojoaque Valley School District and New Mexico Highlands University:
In-class support by LANL Math & Science Academy (MSA) team
Professional development program for teachers and principals received a $40,000 grant from the LANL Foundation to offer sessions throughout the year and during the summer, and provide support for teachers as they apply their new skills and practices in the classroom
New afterschool math program recruited five high school students to work with four Pojoaque Valley Intermediate School teachers and education specialists from the MSA to provide extra math instruction for 30 fourth- and fifth- grade students.
Bradbury Science Museum’s educators brought creative hands-on activities for more than 400 kindergarten through sixth-grade students at six Española district elementary schools under the Bradbury Science Museum’s Summer Science on Wheels program
200 LANL employees provided 2,342 service hours to nonprofit and educational organizations in Northern NM, impacting an estimated 2,620 students, teachers and community members
Lab employees Nicole Lloyd-Ronning and Mark Galassi, who have devoted much of their free time to STEM education programs for students from underserved communities in Northern New Mexico, were named as the first winners of the Los Alamos Community Relations Medal. Galassi was also named one of the ‘10 Who Made a Difference’ for 2021 by the Santa Fe New Mexican.
The Los Alamos Employees Scholarship Fund awarded $811,750in scholarships in 2021
Workforce and Economic Development
The Laboratory invests and partners in workforce and economic development initiatives that train future employees, create jobs and help businesses grow.
Laboratory Director Thom Mason at the launch of the bachelor of science in mechanical engineering program at UNM-Los Alamos.
New pipeline programs address critical skills for a growing workforce:
There are now 8 formal partnerships in places with regional colleges and high schools for workforce development pipeline programs
Hosted an online community conversation attended by over 100 community leaders on the importance of developing the skilled trades in the region, featuring Laboratory Director Thom Mason and a panel of union and education experts.
The New Mexico Small Business Assistance program assisted 110 for-profit businesses in New Mexico with access to subject matter experts and cutting-edge technologies at Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories to solve technical challenges, attracting $25 million in new financing, and creating or retaining 501 jobs.
The Laboratory spent $505 million on procurement in New Mexico in the 2021 fiscal year, including $408 million with New Mexico small businesses
Community Giving
Laboratory employees are committed to community service, and work to improve the quality of life for people in the region through giving their time, talent and money to STEM projects and other nonprofit activities that benefit the region.
LANL Scholars like Ryan Trujillo (left) and Isaiah Archuleta benefit from the contributions to the Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund. Ryan and Isaiah both grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, and are currently pursuing bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering at New Mexico State University.
Employees donated:
$2.7 million to nonprofit organizations in the 2021 employee giving campaign
1,276 gifts kits for young people and senior citizens in need, and 1,000 winter clothing sets to shelters serving people facing homelessness or domestic violence, and young adults transitioning from foster care to independent living
more than 700 backpacks with school supplies to schools and regional partners with a particular focus on five rural school districts. Backpacks and supplies were purchased from a local business
A new Community Technical Assistance program allowed nonprofit, tribal, and non-Federal government entities in Northern New Mexico to access the unique expertise and capabilities of the Laboratory on a variety of technical challenges at no cost to the organizations. Among the first projects was a data sprint in which LANL data scientists partnered with Northern New Mexico College and Santa Fe Community College to investigate student retention rates and risk factors at those institutions.
The Laboratory organized 12 blood drives with 393 donors giving 469 units of blood, enough to save 1407 lives
Hosted a Community Conversation online event for more than 90 regional nonprofit leaders outlining new ways the Laboratory can assist nonprofits, and offering an expert-led session on running successful volunteer programs
A virtual Food Drive received donations of $41,724 for the Food Depot which equates to 166,894 meals provided to tackle food insecurity in the region
New Time & Talent program launched, under which employees who track their volunteer time with Northern New Mexico nonprofits make those nonprofits eligible to enter a draw for a $500 grant from LANL operator Triad
Triad’s Community Commitment Plan
Building on the Laboratory’s work in the community, managing contractor Triad National Security, LLC, invests in nonprofit programs in the region under its own Community Commitment Plan. In accordance with the plan, Triad invested $2.5 million in the LANL Foundation, Regional Development Corporation, United Way of NNM and more than 70 other nonprofit organizations.
In 2021 Ryan Roller Fine Arts in Santa Clara was one of the recipients of a Triad-supported grant from the Regional Development Corporation’s Tribal Economic Diversity Fund.
SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION
Triad made grants totaling $819,857 to 25 education nonprofits and organizations supporting education programs and initiatives across Northern New Mexico.
Triad’s investment in the LANL Foundation supported a range of initiatives with the aim of fostering 21st Century learning opportunities, leveraging the LANL Foundation’s work to expand their collective impact in four areas: K-12 STEM education, expanding college career and community pathways; preparing and supporting teachers, and supporting LANL Scholars. Initiatives include:
Monthly STEAM Partnershipmeetings held with educators and innovators from throughout the region
Maintaining the NM STEAMHub website, social media and newsletter to identify and disseminate STEM resources in the region, including early childhood and connectivity resources.
Co-developing a regional research report and plan to expand work-based learning opportunities in north- central New Mexico along with five higher education institutions
Organizing the inaugural meeting of the Northern New Mexico Coalition for Work-Based Learning, a cross-sector partnership intended to guide action on the report’s recommendations.
Preparing and supporting teachers in Northern New Mexico by expanding the current National Board Certification (NBC) training programs
Preparing and supporting teachers in Northern New Mexico by expanding the current National Board Certification (NBC) training programs
Launching the Growing Our Own Native Teachers and Counselors pilot project to create tailored campaigns to interest Native students in pursuing a career as a teacher or counselor
SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSITY
Triad’s investment in the Regional Development Corporation helped the regional economy in this particularly challenging time:
207 visits or coaching sessions provided to local entrepreneurs offering free individualized support to identify resources to help their businesses grow
48 regional businesses were awarded an average of $1,165 in Micro-Grant Fund grants to acquire services or equipment needed for growth.
Seven regional businesses were awarded no-interest loans through the Technology and Manufacturing (TEAM) Fund to assist with the cost of patent applications, equipment to increase production and efficiency, product packaging design and development, and ISO-9000 certification
Six tribal member-owned businesses from three Northern New Mexico pueblos were awarded grants averaging $5,700 through the Tribal Economic Diversity Fund
Partnerships with six regional institutions of higher education continued throughout 2021. UNM-Taos, UNM-Los Alamos, Luna Community College, New Mexico Highlands University, Northern New Mexico College, and Santa Fe Community College received funding for workforce training and education programs tailored to the region’s needs.
SUPPORT FOR NONPROFITS
Magnified the generosity of Laboratory employees by providing a $0.50 on the dollar match for employee contributions to qualified charitable organizations in Northern New Mexico.
Triad’s support for United Way of Northern New Mexico allowed it to continue its multiyear plan to strengthen the nonprofit sector through capacity building and collaborations, and support youth empowerment:
Conducted four in-depth nonprofit training workshops in collaboration with Los Alamos Community Foundation
Convened meetings of the UNITE! nonprofit partners to develop a public awareness campaign to better connect local citizens to needed services, and foster partnerships, collaboration, and strengthen connections among nonprofit partners
Developed an online directory of the nonprofit agencies providing vital services to Rio Arriba residents including medical and behavioral health care, food and housing security programs, and parent supports
Helped launch an essential needs pantry at Española Valley High School to support at-risk students
Organized youth focus groups to discuss young peoples’ perspectives on regional community organizations, access to services or activities for youth, and opportunities for youth mentorships or internships
SUPPORT FOR NONPROFITS
Education
AAUW NM
Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation
APS Education Foundation
Los Alamos Women in Science
Climate Advocates Voces Unidas
Mentoring Kids Works New Mexico
Collins Lake Autism Center
New Mexico Mesa
Community Learning Network
Northern New Mexico College Foundation
Friends of the Española Public Library
Pojoaque Valley Schools Educational Foundation
Friends of the Santa Fe National Forest
Pojoaque Valley School District
Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library
Santa Fe Alliance for Science
Ignited Minds
Santa Fe Community College Foundation
Inquiry Facilitators
Santa Fe Children’s Museum
Los Alamos Institutes
STEM Santa Fe
Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation
Economic Diversity
American Indian Chamber of Commerce of NM
Regional Development Corporation
College and Career Plaza
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
Española Valley Chamber of Commerce
Santa Fe Business Incubator
Future Focus Education
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation
Santa Fe Community Foundation
Los Alamos Institutes
Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Los Alamos Makers
Silver Bullet Productions
Luna Community College Foundation
STEM Santa Fe
MANA del Norte
Taos Community Foundation
Mora County Economic Development Corporation
Taos County Chamber of Commerce
New Mexico Highlands Foundation
UNM Los Alamos
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance
UNM Taos
Northern New Mexico College Foundation
Youthworks
R4 Creating
Community Giving
Triad match to regional nonprofits
Los Alamos Family Council
Barrios Unidos
Los Alamos Institutes
Bicycle Harvest
Los Alamos Retired & Senior Organization
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico
Luciente
Court Appointed Special Advocates First Judicial District
Mesa to Mesa
Bradbury Science Museum Association
Moving Arts Espanola
Cancer Foundation for New Mexico
National Dance Institute of New Mexico
DreamTree Project
New Mexico Wildlife Center
EnSuenos Y Los Angelitos Development Center
Rio Arriba Adult Literacy Program
Family YMCA
Saint Elizabeth Shelter
Food Depot
Santa Fe Aquatics
Friends of the Española Public Library
Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Growing Up NM
Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Taos
Self Help Inc.
Historic Santa Fe Foundation
Taos Community Foundation
Kitchen Angels
United Way of Northern New Mexico
Los Alamos & Española Habitat for Humanity
Villages of Santa Fe
Los Alamos Community Foundation
Letter from the Triad Board Chair, Michael Anastasio
It has now been over three years since Triad National Security, LLC took over the management and operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory. It remains our aim to sustain and enhance the Laboratory’s partnership with the community for the benefit of the region, the Laboratory and our sponsor.
The three members of Triad – Battelle Memorial Institute, the Texas A&M University System, and the University of California – are all public service-oriented organizations, and Triad is proud to play its part in helping Northern New Mexico in what has been another very dynamic year.
In 2021 Triad invested $2.5 million in the region through our Community Commitment Plan, with the investment expanding the reach of the Laboratory’s community work in education, economic diversity, and community giving.
Triad initially chose those focus areas based on discussions with local community leaders, and we carefully monitor the effectiveness and impact of our major investments with the LANL Foundation, the Regional Development Corporation and the United Way of Northern New Mexico, and the other nonprofit grants and sponsorships we make.
After three years, we are confident that our investments are making a positive difference in the region, whether it’s a grant to a small business like Shundine’s Frybread from Taos Pueblo, or support for the NM STEAMHub website, a valuable provider of STEM education resources.
However, as befits the operators of a research institution such as LANL, we are also analyzing data (and gathering new input from the community) to help us assess where we can have the most impact in Northern New Mexico going forward.
So I look forward to 2022 bringing new approaches and partnerships as Triad plays its part in helping Northern New Mexico thrive.