By NB3 Foundation

NB3 Foundation awards Water First! Community Action Grants to seven community partners

Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation has awarded Water First! Community Action Grants to seven tribal and Native-led organizations working to improve community health through culturally grounded, long-term systems change.

Over the next 2.5  years, grant recipients will partner with NB3 Foundation to implement the Water Roadmap, a framework designed to support community-driven efforts that encourage healthier beverage choices and reduce sugary drink consumption. The grants total more than $1.18 million and will support community-led projects focused on improving access to healthy beverages and advancing long-term health outcomes.

Through the program, each organization will develop and implement a community-designed project tailored to local needs while participating in evaluation and learning activities that help strengthen and refine the Water Roadmap for future communities.

Organizations selected to receive funding include:

For more information about NB3 Foundation and the Water First! Community Action Grant, contact grants@nb3f.org

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By NB3 Foundation

Community partnerships in action: Harvesting healthy communities

As part of a new NB3 Foundation initiative to deepen community partnerships, staff have visited local Native-led organizations to learn from their work, strengthen relationships and explore new opportunities to support Native youth, families and communities.

Earlier this month, staff spent a day volunteering at the Indigenous Farm Hub in Corrales, NM, helping plant and harvest fresh vegetables that will be distributed through community-supported agriculture (CSA) bags.

The Indigenous Farm Hub, works to strengthen Indigenous food systems by connecting farmers, families and communities through access to healthy, locally grown foods. The farm also supports food sovereignty by revitalizing Indigenous agricultural practices, strengthening language and culture, and helping grow the next generation of Native farmers.

During the visit, our staff toured the farm, learned about its mission and harvested seasonal vegetables that will be included in CSA bags for families across New Mexico.

This summer, NB3 Foundation is partnering with the Saad K’idilyé Community School to provide CSA bags to every family at the school. Filled with fresh produce grown at the Indigenous Farm Hub, the bags help increase access to healthy foods while supporting Native agriculture and community wellness.

For the past few years, our staff have participated in the Indigenous Farm Hub’s community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, receiving weekly bags of fresh, locally grown produce. Seeing firsthand where the food is grown gave staff a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into strengthening Native food systems and supporting community health

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By NB3 Foundation

Huenemann recognized as UNITY 25 under 25 honoree

Congratulations to Kiian Huenemann (Diné) on being named a UNITY 25 Under 25 honoree. Kiian serves as an advisor to the NB3 Foundation Youth Council and has also supported NB3FIT programs as an intern, working directly with youth in Native communities across New Mexico.

UNITY’s 25 Under 25 program recognizes young Native leaders from across Indian Country who are creating positive change while promoting balanced, healthy lifestyles. Kiian’s dedication to leadership, wellness and uplifting Native youth is reflected in the work he continues to do both within the NB3 Foundation community and beyond.

“I am deeply humbled to be recognized as a representative of the strength, resilience and promise of Indian Country,” Kiian shared. “I look forward to learning from and working alongside my cohort and fellow UNITY ambassadors over the coming year.”

We are proud to see Kiian’s leadership and impact recognized on a national level and are grateful for the energy and mentorship he brings to Native youth. Congratulations, Kiian!

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By NB3 Foundation

Thank you for supporting Native Nonprofit Day


Thank you to everyone who supported NB3 Foundation during Native Nonprofit Day by making a donation, sharing our posts or helping spread the word about our work. Because of your support, we were able to raise more than $2,000 to help cover costs for our youth sports programs and our youth council.

Community support plays a direct role in helping Native youth access opportunities to stay active, build confidence and grow through programs rooted in community. Donations help provide things like race entry fees, healthy snacks, equipment, athletic shoes, program fees and youth leadership opportunities that keep our programs accessible for Native youth and families.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps create meaningful experiences and opportunities for youth across the communities we serve. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who chose to support, donate or share our mission with others.

If you did not get a chance to give during Native Nonprofit Day, there is still time to support this work. Your contribution will continue helping us provide impactful programs and opportunities for Native youth throughout the year.

Thank you for being part of this work with us and for continuing to invest in healthy futures for Native youth.

Support NB3 Foundation for Native Nonprofit Day

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT spring celebration highlights growth and community impact

On Sunday, April 26 NB3 Foundation brought together youth and families from across its spring programs for a gathering focused on connection, reflection and community. Athletes from soccer, golf, tennis, track and basketball gathered to share a meal, play together and celebrate a season defined by growth and teamwork. This spring included participation across programs, with 75 youth in soccer, 57 in golf, 24 in competitive basketball teams, 14 in tennis and 120 in track and field.

The gathering also served as an opportunity for the Evaluation and Research Department to administer knowledge kits to youth and caregivers. Caregivers and youth were asked about their experiences in the program and given the opportunity to share feedback and comments. The team appreciated the opportunity to connect with families, build relationships and share how their input helps inform and improve experiences for youth. Insights gathered will help assess the season and identify ways to better meet the needs of youth and families in future programming.

Participants also engaged in a cultural hoop dance activity led by Benjamin Shendo of Indigenous Connection 1696, providing a meaningful opportunity to connect movement, and culture.

Thank you for making this our largest gathering of the year so far. It was powerful to see families and staff come together, and we look forward to continuing to create more opportunities for family-centered activities across our programs.

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By NB3 Foundation

Help us do good while cleaning your closets this spring! 

NB3 Foundation is excited to partner with Sneakers4Good to collect sneakers that will support 4,000 families in the reuse global economy while raising funds for our local youth programs. All the sneakers donated will be given a second life and kept out of landfills.  

We will collect gently worn, used or new adult running or athletic shoes from now until the end of July. Drop off your donations at the NB3 Foundation office Tuesday through Friday and help us raise money to support our youth programs with Sneakers4Good. 

Keep an eye out for announcements for special collection days at practices in your local community. We look forward to collecting hundreds of sneakers from your spring cleaning and decluttering projects!  

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By NB3 Foundation

Native Nonprofit Day

We are almost halfway through the year, and the need for consistent, community-based support for Native youth continues to grow.

Across NB3 Foundation programs, participation is increasing. More girls are getting involved, and new sports like tennis and volleyball are expanding access for youth to stay active, build confidence and connect with their peers.

Our Youth Council is also gaining momentum. Youth are leading community efforts, including cleanups, toy drives, outreach events and donation campaigns for community members in need. They are stepping into leadership roles and helping extend the reach of this work.

As we look ahead, summer programs are approaching and demand continues to rise. Meeting that need requires ongoing support.

Native Nonprofit Day on May 21 is an opportunity to invest in this work.

Gifts at any level make an impact. A $7 donation can cover a race entry fee for a youth. A $15 donation can provide healthy snacks on game days. $25 supports coach background screening, and $40 can provide basic sports equipment.

Additional support helps expand opportunities. A $75 donation can provide proper athletic shoes. $95 supports coach training and screening. A $250 gift helps fund Youth Council leadership development, and $400 can support a community health event.

If you are able, we invite you to make a gift and help us continue supporting Native youth and communities.

Donate https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/nb3-foundations-native-nonprofit-day-campaign

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By NB3 Foundation

Season finale tournament: Basketball teams close out the season

The NB3FIT Basketball League wrapped up another exciting season filled with growth and teamwork across our communities. Throughout the season, youth developed their skills on the court while also building confidence, leadership skills and sportsmanship. With the support of coaches, families and community partners, this year’s league once again demonstrated that the league is about more than competition. It is about creating opportunities for youth to grow, connect and thrive.

Practice and game site hosts: Tamaya Wellness Center, San Felipe Pueblo Elementary School, Jemez Valley Public Schools, Pueblo of Sandia Education and Recreation Center, Santo Domingo Middle School, and Bernalillo High School. Their support helped us create great spaces for our athletes and families all season.

Athlete highlight Oshynn Bradford
Oshynn joined the league last season, and many staff members have noticed a lot of growth from last year to this season. During her first season, she was more timid on the court, but this year we really saw her step into a bigger role. She showed more confidence, became more aggressive on offense, improved her skills, and started taking on more of a leadership role. It has been really exciting to watch her growth this season.

Coach highlight Darin Begay
He not only refereed games this season, but also volunteered to coach. Many of his players have been with him since the very first year of the league, which says a lot about the relationships he has built with his team and families. He communicates well, stays positive, and creates an environment where kids feel supported while continuing to grow and improve.

 

Team highlight 9U Shooting Stars
In one of their games, the other team did not have enough players, and the Shooting Stars were more than willing to lend a few of their own so the game could still happen. Instead of only focusing on winning, they showed that they cared about making sure everyone had the chance to play and have fun. It was a really special moment to see from such a young group.

What made it even more special was how the Shooting Stars carried themselves during the game. When the other team started to feel discouraged, the Shooting Stars stayed positive, encouraged them, and helped keep the game fun for everyone. It was really nice to see such a young group show that kind of kindness and sportsmanship.

It was also one of the Shooting Stars players’ birthdays, which made the day even more memorable. After the game, they invited the other team to celebrate with them and enjoy a birthday treat. It ended up being a really sweet moment that was about more than just basketball. It showed kindness, inclusion, and the kind of team culture we hope all of our teams build during their season.

Here are also the first and second place team names:

7U: First- 7U-Watermelon Heads (Sandia team), Second- 7U-Dragons

9U: First- 9U- The Warriors (Dulce team), Second- 9U-Snipers

11U: First- 11U- Rez Dogs, Second- 11U- Warriors

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By NB3 Foundation

Inaugural NB3 Foundation Topgolf Tournament

On March 22, NB3 Foundation kicked off its first fundraising event of the year with the inaugural Topgolf Tournament in Albuquerque.

This new spring fundraiser brought together community partners, supporters and friends of the organization for an afternoon of connection and friendly competition, all in support of Native youth. With support from event sponsor Pueblo of Sandia and participating teams, the event raised more than $4,000 for NB3 Foundation youth programs.

The event marks an important step in diversifying fundraising efforts and creating new ways for supporters to engage with our work. We look forward to growing this event in 2027 and continuing to expand opportunities that support Native youth and communities.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and supported our mission.

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By NB3 Foundation

Spring season underway across NB3FIT programs

NB3FIT spring programs are off to a fast start with soccer, tennis and golf already underway and track beginning in April. Across programs, youth are building skills, staying active and enjoying opportunities to try new sports.

Golf
The junior golf program has seen record participation this spring with 57 youth enrolled. The program includes 29 youth ages 6 to 9 and 28 youth ages 10 to 18. With this growth comes the need for additional coaching support. Four coaches are assisting lead golf specialist Demitrius Payne this season. Each coach brings playing experience, including one collegiate player and one local high school player.

Youth practice twice a week and also have the opportunity to play holes together on Saturdays at Santa Ana Golf Club. Participants focus on fundamentals, etiquette and terminology to help prepare them for organized play. For many youth, this is their first time playing golf, so learning begins with the basics. Youth practice proper grip, learn which clubs to use and, for younger participants, even learn how to properly carry their own bag. These foundational skills help build confidence and comfort on the course.

Soccer
Soccer season is also underway with more than 70 youth participating in the academy style league. Practices are held at host sites including San Felipe Pueblo, Tamaya Wellness Center, Pueblo of Laguna and Native American Community Academy.

Youth ages 6 to 8 play 3 vs 3 on smaller fields, focusing on fundamentals and maximizing playing time. The 10 and under group has advanced to 7 vs 7 play, where youth are learning positions, responsibilities and game strategy. This division plays on larger fields and includes goalkeepers, creating a more traditional soccer experience while continuing to build skills through play.

Games are held each Saturday at the Tamaya Wellness Center baseball fields, which provide multiple field sizes to accommodate each age group.

Tennis
Tennis is the newest addition to the NB3FIT spring lineup with 14 youth currently participating. For many youth, tennis is a first time sport experience that is both fun and accessible to all skill levels. The program emphasizes coordination, strategy and mental focus while allowing youth to develop skills at their own pace.

NB3FIT Program Coordinator, Mia Freeland and volunteer coach and NB3 Foundation staff member Jared Lesansee are leading instruction and helping youth learn the basics. With smaller group settings and beginner friendly instruction, tennis offers a welcoming environment for youth who are new to sports. By the end of week two, youth began Friday play days where they compete against one another in a match like settings.

Track and Field
Track and field is still open for registration until April 1! With meets slated to begin in May. Youth will have opportunities to build endurance, develop technique and prepare for competition as the season progresses.

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