Newly created position in new Albuquerque office to build capacity for fund development and greater investment in Native communities and economies
JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo)
LONGMONT, Colo. (July 22, 2024) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is honored to welcome JoAnn Melchor (Santo Domingo Pueblo) to its senior leadership team as Vice President of Development. Building on a lifelong career in philanthropic and nonprofit management, Melchor will oversee First Nations’ revenue development strategy, including individual giving and corporate and foundation relations. The hiring of Melchor coincides with the organization’s strategic growth that includes the purchase of a new Albuquerque office, strengthening its presence in New Mexico.
Melchor comes to First Nations from her previous position as president and CEO of the New Mexico Foundation in Santa Fe, where she directed programs, services, and activities to foster the foundation’s ability to steward community resources, build partnerships, and develop transformative opportunities for people throughout New Mexico. During her tenure, Melchor also created the Native American Recovery Fund Zone Grant to address recovery efforts in New Mexico’s Native American communities. Before this position, Melchor served as the Director of Advancement for Keres Children’s Learning Center in Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico, a long-time community partner of First Nations.
First Nations President and CEO Michael Roberts (Tlingit) said the welcoming of Melchor comes at an opportune time, as the organization has been building capacity in staff and resources to better serve Native communities. “With support from individual donors, as well as corporate and private philanthropy, First Nations has experienced tremendous growth, increasing our grantmaking by five-fold in as many years,” he said. “Melchor’s leadership will help ensure that the support that’s made this growth possible is managed, stewarded, and nurtured in line with our goals and values as an organization. We are honored to have her on the First Nations team”
Melchor said she is honored and excited to join First Nations and is inspired by its mission and commitment over decades to grant making, trainings, and support for Native American communities. “As a Santo Domingo Pueblo woman, this work aligns with my own values of respect and care, and my belief in the resilience of our Native American people. I am committed to helping and supporting our Native American and Indigenous communities throughout the world,” she said.
As Vice President of Development, Melchor will oversee and manage First Nations’ development team, as well as the organization’s fundraising and individual giving strategies, prospect research, and funder relations, with a goal of strengthening and advancing investment in Native communities through the work of First Nations. Melchor will also serve on the senior leadership team, marking the first time a vice president has been recruited from outside the organization.
Opening of new First Nations Albuquerque office
Building on strategic synergies of the 44-year-old organization, Melchor will be based in First Nations’ new Albuquerque office, which was purchased this year to cement First Nations’ presence in Albuquerque, build capital assets, and make it possible to redirect resources and funds away from rent expenses and toward programs and services. The new office also creates a larger hub for First Nations’ work in the Southwest, making it easier to attract local staff and improving the ability to invest in the success and sustainability of First Nations’ community partners, many of which are located in New Mexico and Arizona.
Roberts said both the hiring of Melchor and the purchase of the Albuquerque building are sparked by a renewed focus for the organization on deepening impact through research-based programming and evaluation, strengthening sustainability, and improving operational efficiencies.
The property at 8421 Osuna Rd. NE will be the home office of the growing number of First Nations’ Albuquerque-based employees, who had worked at First Nations’ previous field office at 4263 Montgomery Boulevard NE, Suite 200.
About First Nations Development Institute
Founded in 1980, First Nations works to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing. Through year-end 2023, we have successfully managed 3,385 grants totaling $79.9 million to Native American projects and organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territory American Samoa. We envision a world in which Tribal Sovereignty is upheld, and Native ingenuity and knowledge are honored and respected. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.
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Program contact:
Jackie Francke (Navajo)
Chief Operating Officer
[email protected]
Media contact:
Amy Jakober
Director of Communications
[email protected]
(303) 921-1015
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