$2.5 million in grants from Los Alamos National Laboratory’s operator benefit nonprofits, students and businesses

Funding from Triad supports education, economic development and charitable giving in Northern New Mexico

May 1, 2023

2023-05-01
Jenny Parks, president and CEO of the LANL Foundation; Val Alonzo, executive director of the Regional Development Corporation; Thom Mason, director of Los Alamos National Laboratory; and Kathy Keith, director of the Laboratory’s Community Partnerships Office mark Triad’s 2023 Community Commitment Plan investment at a recent community event.

Economic diversity, education and community giving will get a big boost this year, thanks to a $2.5 million grant from Triad National Security LLC, operator of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

“This funding underlines Triad’s continuing commitment to improve the well-being of communities in Northern New Mexico through partnerships and investments,” said Thom Mason, president and CEO of Triad, and Laboratory director. “Since 2018 Triad has invested $12 million through its Community Commitment Plan to enhance the impact of the Laboratory’s own community work in education, economic diversity and community giving, and to support Laboratory employees’ culture of service.”

Triad is a public service-oriented organization equally owned by its three founding members: Battelle Memorial Institute, the Texas A&M University System and the University of California

Where the grants are going

Three key long-term partners will, between them, receive more than $1.5 million in major investments from Triad’s 2023 Community Commitment Plan. Funding will go to:

  • the LANL Foundation for STEM education, scholarships and teacher support
  • the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) to support economic diversity, including an internship program and awards to small businesses
  • United Way of Northern New Mexico to support nonprofit collaboration and capacity-building, and tackle substance abuse issues

RDC works to boost economic diversity with a focus on native-owned, technology and manufacturing businesses. 

“Triad’s investment will fund a full range of grassroots economic development activities across Northern New Mexico, including grants for rural and tribal member-owned businesses and no-interest loans to high-growth technology and manufacturing businesses,” said Val Alonzo, executive director of the RDC. “Triad’s support also allows us to provide in-person technical support, training and informational events to small businesses allowing them to grow, add jobs and contribute to the region’s economy.”

Investing in Northern New Mexico

The Triad investment will also be used to match employees’ nonprofit-giving in Northern New Mexico (a small portion of the funding goes to grant administration). Additionally, more than $250,000 will fund a range of grants and sponsorships to other organizations in the region. Eligible nonprofits from the seven counties around the Laboratory (Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe and Taos) can apply for these funds online, with awards typically valued at $5,000 or less. The next deadlines for applications are June 9 and Aug. 4.

In 2022, Triad made awards to more than 70 nonprofits across Northern New Mexico. See a full list of grant recipients from 2022’s investments, along with further information on Triad’s Community Commitment Plan and the impact of the Laboratory’s community activities.