When Amy Miller thinks about rural New Mexico, she thinks first of home, family, and the communities that shaped her. A member of the New Mexico Community Foundation Board of Trustees since 2025, Amy recently made a generous donation to NMCF’s Thriving Rural campaign—an expression of both gratitude and commitment to the places and people that have long been part of her life.
“I spent the early years of my life in rural New Mexico,” Amy shared. “My brother lives in a rural New Mexico community, and my career has taken me to almost every town and city in New Mexico to work with diverse coalitions and communicate complex issues and projects to community stakeholders.”
That lived experience gives Amy a deep appreciation for the strength, generosity, and determination found across rural communities. She has seen firsthand how local residents, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and neighbors work together to solve problems, preserve culture, and care for one another.
“I love the values, work, and commitment I see every day in our state’s rural communities,” she said, “and I want to help these communities thrive.”
For Amy, supporting the Thriving Rural campaign is one way to invest in New Mexico from within. She believes NMCF plays a vital role in ensuring that resources stay close to home and reach communities in ways that are responsive, respectful, and effective.
“The Foundation is there for New Mexicans in so many ways,” Amy said. “It has the ability to assist individuals and families in crisis, help build strong organizations and programs, support communities with projects that honor their culture and traditions, and overall increase New Mexicans’ quality of life.”
She also values the trust and care behind NMCF’s work. “When you give to the Foundation,” Amy added, “your money is working in the state and being managed by a staff who deeply cares about New Mexico communities.”
As a board member, Amy was especially encouraged by the thoughtful process that shaped NMCF’s Thriving New Mexico campaign. She sees its focus areas—Rural, Environments, and Indigenous communities—as timely and necessary, particularly at a moment when many communities are facing increased challenges and marginalization.
“I feel very good about the extensive work that the board and staff did to identify key areas of the campaign,” she said. “I believe the three key areas of funding are exactly what is needed to help all New Mexico communities thrive.”
Amy’s commitment to giving back is also personal. She credits her parents with setting an example of service throughout the New Mexico communities where her family lived. Today, she and her siblings—who have all remained in New Mexico—continue to honor that example through their own community involvement.
For Amy, participation matters. Volunteering, donating, and showing up are all ways New Mexicans can help build solutions rather than simply name challenges. And the benefits flow both ways: giving back can broaden perspectives, build friendships, connect people across difference, and create the shared satisfaction of seeing something good take root.
Join Amy in supporting Thriving Rural and help rural New Mexico communities continue to grow, lead, and thrive.