The 2025 New Mexico Grande Slam brought together supporters from across the country and beyond for two incredible days of golf, celebration and community. As the NB3 Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, the event helps raise essential funds to power youth programs throughout New Mexico and Native communities across the country.
This year’s Grande Slam was especially meaningful as it marked the NB3 Foundation’s 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of investing in the health and future of Native youth.
Festivities began with a pre-event dinner honoring the foundation’s top sponsors and partners. The evening featured the presentation of Legacy Awards to AMERIND, Nike N7, PNM and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, organizations whose long-term leadership and generosity have helped make the foundation’s 20-year journey possible.
The Community Empowerment Awards recognized partners who continue to create meaningful, community-level change: the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, Dr. Carmen George and Dr. Sonya Shin of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council in Wisconsin.
A highlight of the evening was a youth performance by the Lightning Boy Foundation, this year’s nonprofit partner. Proceeds from the Grande Slam will help support their mission of empowering Native youth through traditional dance and art. Their performance brought energy, pride and inspiration to the entire room, reminding guests of the shared purpose behind the event.
The celebration continued the next morning at the Santa Ana Golf Club, where teams teed off bright and early alongside NB3 Foundation founder Notah Begay III. Participants enjoyed friendly competition, good food and great company, all in support of NB3 Foundation’s work to create healthier futures for Native youth.
Proceeds from the event directly benefit programs such as NB3FIT, which provides year-round sports and fitness opportunities for Native youth, helping them build confidence, leadership and lifelong healthy habits.
From Canada to California, dozens of returning and new participants joined together to make this year’s event one of the most successful yet. NB3 Foundation extends a heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors, donors and volunteers who made the 2025 New Mexico Grande Slam possible.
Together, we are celebrating 20 years of impact and driving forward the next 20 years of change for Native youth.
