Free Nonprofit Summit Returns to Alamogordo With Focus on Preventing Burnout Among Local Leaders

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — The people who keep Otero County’s nonprofits running will get a day devoted entirely to them next month, as the Sacramento Mountains Foundation hosts its 3rd Annual Otero County Nonprofit Summit on Friday, September 11, at the CHRISTUS Southern New Mexico Conference Center.

This year’s theme, “Holding It Together: Sustaining and Leading the People Behind Otero County’s Nonprofits,” reflects a shift in focus from programs and fundraising to the professionals and volunteers themselves — and the question of how they can maintain their energy and commitment over the long haul.

“The people who run our local nonprofits are the backbone of Otero County, but doing this vital work day in and day out can take a major toll,” said John Wheeler, the Foundation’s director. He said the summit is built to give leaders “real, practical tools” to prevent burnout and strengthen the internal structures of their organizations.

The full-day, single-track program is free to attend and includes breakfast and lunch, though advance registration is required and seating is limited.

National and Regional Expertise

Headlining the event is Beth Kanter, national author of The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit, a book widely credited with changing how the sector thinks about staff and volunteer well-being. Kanter will deliver the opening keynote and return in the afternoon for a plenary session on sustaining personnel without a large budget.

She will be joined by Zach Taylor, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit consultant leading a hands-on workshop on volunteer recruitment, retention, and engagement for small organizations, and governance trainer Susan Decker, who will guide a working session on building healthy, accountable partnerships between executive directors and their boards.

$7,500 in Awards to Cap the Day

The summit will close with a live awards ceremony recognizing local excellence, with $7,500 in total cash prizes. The Nonprofit Organization of the Year will receive $5,000, and the Nonprofit Professional of the Year will receive $2,500.

Nominations are open to the public through Monday, September 7. Anyone can nominate a local organization or leader through a two-minute online form at tinyurl.com/NominateANonprofit.

Last year’s Nonprofit Organization of the Year honor went to 100% Otero.

How to Attend

Nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers can register at tinyurl.com/SMFRegister. Organizers encourage early registration, as space is limited.

The Sacramento Mountains Foundation, a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, has invested $9.5 million in grants, sponsorships, and community donations since July 2023, supporting more than 55 organizations across Alamogordo, Boles Acres, Chaparral, Cloudcroft, High Rolls, Holloman AFB, La Luz, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and Tularosa.

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