For Immediate Release
ALTA Foundation Donates Emergency Grant Following New Mexico Fires, Flooding
Washington, D.C., Aug. 8, 2024 — The American Land Title Association (ALTA) Good Deeds Foundation, the registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by ALTA, the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, has awarded a $5,000 emergency grant to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County. The Foundation’s Shelter Fund was established to assist members of the Lincoln County, N.M., community who recently experienced the loss of their homes due to local fires or flooding.
The South Fork and Salt wildfires near Ruidoso, N.M., and the Mescalero Apache Reserve claimed two lives and destroyed nearly 1,400 homes and structures. Between the two fires, more than 25,000 acres were burned in June 2024. Changes in the landscape caused by the fires contributed to dangerous flash flooding conditions and, when monsoon rains hit the area, the situation became emergent. The area has been subjected to 19 flash flood emergencies, including multiple evacuation orders and National Guard responses, during June and July 2024.
The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation Board awarded the emergency grant to aid residents whose homes were uninhabitable following the Lincoln County devastation.
“ALTA and its members are heavy-hearted for our loved ones and communities impacted by the tragedies in New Mexico,” said ALTA CEO Diane Tomb. “We know there are many other national devastating weather-related disasters, but we hope this emergency grant from the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation will help fund shelter needs for those who have lost the basic necessity of a place to call home.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with New Mexicans, especially those who lost a loved one or no longer have a home or business,” said Foundation Board Chair Mary O’Donnell, president and CEO of Westcor Land Title Insurance Co. in Maitland, Fla. “With ALTA members’ support of the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, we are able to provide this emergency grant.”
Since October 2020, the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation has awarded $987,000 in grants to 170 community nonprofits in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
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About the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation
Founded in 2020 by the American Land Title Association, the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is to support the charitable efforts of title professionals as they work to build and strengthen their local communities and exemplify the title industry’s values of We Lead, We Deliver, We Protect.
About ALTA
The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is the national trade association representing the land title insurance industry, which employs more than 120,000 people working in every county in the United States.
Contact: Megan Hernandez
Office: 202-261-0315
Email: [email protected]