Think New Mexico is a results-oriented think tank serving the citizens of New Mexico. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially those who lack a strong voice in the political process. We fulfill this mission by educating the public, the media, and policymakers about some of the most serious problems facing New Mexico and by developing and advocating for effective, comprehensive, sustainable solutions to those problems.
Our approach is to perform and publish sound, nonpartisan, independent research. Unlike many think tanks, Think New Mexico does not subscribe to any particular ideology. Instead, because New Mexico is at or near the bottom of so many national rankings, our focus is on promoting workable solutions.
Consistent with our nonpartisan approach, Think New Mexico's board is composed of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. They are statesmen and stateswomen, who have no agenda other than to see New Mexico succeed. They are also the brain trust of this think tank.
Think New Mexico began its operations on January 1, 1999. It is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to maintain its independence, Think New Mexico does not accept state government funding. However, contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations are welcomed, encouraged and tax-deductible.
As an independent, statewide, results-oriented think tank, Think New Mexico measures its success based on changes in law or policy that it is able to help achieve, such as:
- making full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico
- repealing the state's regressive tax on food
- creating a Strategic River Reserve to protect and restore New Mexico's rivers
- establishing New Mexico's first state-supported Individual Development Accounts to alleviate the state's persistent poverty
- redirecting millions of dollars a year out of the state lottery's excessive operating costs and into full-tuition college scholarships
- reforming title insurance to lower closing costs for homebuyers and homeowners who refinance their mortgages
Think New Mexico is a results-oriented think tank that was founded in 1999 by a group of state leaders, including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, who came together to form a nonprofit dedicated to achieving lasting and sustainable change by enacting landmark reforms to New Mexico’s laws. Think NewMexico’s founders were committed to the idea that an independent, results-oriented think tank serving the citizens of New Mexico can help the state make progress in some of the areas in which New Mexico ranks at or near the bottom nationally.
Think New Mexico is best known for our successful campaigns to make full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico, to repeal the state’s regressive food tax, to establish a Strategic Water Reserve to protect and restore New Mexico’s rivers, to redirect millions of dollars a year out of the state lottery’s excessive operating costs and into full-tuition college scholarships, and to reform title insurance to lower closing costs for homebuyers and homeowners who refinance their mortgages.
In implementing each of our policy initiatives, we: 1) develop solutions based on our own thorough, independent, nonpartisan research; 2) educate the public, media, and policymakers about the advantages of those solutions; 3) build broad-based coalitions with organizations and people who support our proposed solutions; 4) organize grassroots support from New Mexicans across the state; and 5) draft legislation and work directly with New Mexico’s Governor and Legislature to turn our vision into a reality.
How This Organization is Funded
- Local and National Foundations
- Individual Social Investors
- New Mexico Businesses