Leadership, Empowerment and Advocacy Program (LEAP)
The Leadership, Empowerment and Advocacy Program (LEAP) was created by IWF-NM board in 2002 to support organizations that focus on creating pathways for young New Mexican women to succeed. Since then LEAP has helped fund many inspiring projects throughout the state.
Leadership & Capacity Building
Leadership, Empowerment and Advocacy Program (LEAP)
The awardees for 2024-25 are The New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering and the Central New Mexico Society for Women Engineers to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach activities around New Mexico. The mission of NMNWSE is to encourage young women in New Mexico to enter science, engineering, and allied professions through outreach and networking, and to support them in their STEM careers.
The LEAP program is partially funded by member donations and fundraisers. A 2025 fundraiser was held at Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts, which was the recipient of the 2006 LEAP award.
The focus of LEAP funding has varied through the years. For the past several funding cycles, the grants have been awarded to organizations that promote STEM education. In 2026, based on direction from an IWF NM member survey, funding will go to organizations that promote leadership education for girls and young women.
