Community Benefit Fund

About Community Benefit Fund

In 2025, the Community Benefit Fund (CBF) Act and General Appropriations Act appropriated $17 million for the next three years to the Department of Workforce Solutions for programs that reduce greenhouse gases, modernize the electrical grid, increase the use of renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, reduce the use of combustion energy vehicles, assess or reduce the effects of climate change, establish economic development needed to address climate change, and establish or expand worker training for industries that assist in any of those goals.

Economic Transition Program

New Mexico is tackling the transition away from a heavily fossil-fuel-dependent economy. From replacement energy resources in the northwest part of the state to methane monitoring technology in the Permian basin, to renewables and energy efficiency efforts across the state, the opportunities to create a sustainable economy abound.

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Northern New Mexico Youth Fund

The Northern New Mexico Youth Fund was created by the Northern New Mexico Pathways to Opportunity Strategy Table to strengthen initiatives that support young people ages 13 to 29 in Northern New Mexico to thrive at school, work, and home. The Fund aims to give all youth and young adults, especially underserved youth and young adults, who face the steepest barriers to success, the connections, opportunities, and confidence they need to reach their potential.

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Collegiate Edu-Nation P20 Program

Rural communities face unique challenges and are also disproportionately reliant on the fossil fuel economy. The Rural P-20 School model reimagines rural schools, from pre-K to post-secondary education, to provide more experiential learning opportunities and integrate with the community and local economic landscape.

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New MexiCorps

The Department will use Climate Corps and AmeriCorps as a model for developing our own state-funded service program. The Department will partner with organizations that have a proven track record of hosting service members, including Eco-Servants and Conservation Legacy.

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Local Workforce Board Innovation Fund

New Mexico has four local workforce development boards (LWDBs), serving the Central, Northern, Eastern and Southwestern Areas. Recognizing that innovation comes from connection to the community, the Department will award up to $600,000 in grants for innovative programs by the LWDBs that meet the requirements of the Community Benefit Fund.

Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Expansion

The Department’s Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Program (POP) has proved to be a highly effective work-based learning initiative, and a key recruitment resource for businesses. The Department will invest in pre-apprenticeship expansion through programs in microgrid development, homebuilding, green and outdoor careers, and water system operations.

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