Frequently Asked
Questions
Learn more about the great work being done to move the northern New Mexico outdoor professionals from surviving to thriving.
The All Forward Foundation is a Santa Fe–based nonprofit dedicated to helping outdoor recreation professionals build sustainable careers. We focus on economic development, workforce training, and youth career pathways that strengthen New Mexico’s outdoor economy while advancing equity and environmental stewardship.
We serve outdoor recreation professionals, small business owners, guides, outfitters, and youth—particularly those from rural, Indigenous, and underserved communities across Northern New Mexico. Our programs are designed to reduce economic precarity and create long-term career opportunity in the outdoor sector.
Outdoor recreation professionals are skilled workers, educators, first responders, and environmental stewards—yet they are often excluded from traditional economic development and workforce systems. By investing in these professionals, we strengthen local economies, support conservation, and create more inclusive access to outdoor careers.
Our work centers on three core areas:
Economic Development: Business coaching, mentorship, and support for outdoor entrepreneurs
Education: Youth career exposure, internships, and job-shadowing opportunities
Training: Career development and registered apprenticeship pathways in outdoor recreation and tourism
The All Forward Outdoor Academy is a workforce development program that provides hands-on training, mentorship, and paid placements for youth ages 16–24. Participants gain real-world experience in guiding, outdoor safety, tourism operations, and professional skills that lead to long-term employment opportunities.
The Santa Fe Adventure Center is a proposed hub that connects visitors with local outdoor experiences while supporting small outdoor businesses. It combines adventure booking, retail exposure, shared office space, mentorship, and workforce training—creating a one-stop gateway to Santa Fe’s outdoor economy.
We partner with community organizations to provide youth with paid work experiences, mentorship, career exploration, and wraparound support services. Our goal is to help young people turn their passion for the outdoors into viable, long-term careers close to home.
Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver in New Mexico. By supporting local professionals and developing a homegrown workforce, we help retain talent, strengthen small businesses, extend visitor stays, and promote sustainable tourism that benefits local communities.
Outdoor professionals can engage with All Forward Foundation as mentors, employers, training partners, or program participants. We collaborate closely with guides, outfitters, and outdoor businesses to design programs that meet real industry needs.
We partner with public agencies, nonprofits, foundations, and mission-aligned businesses interested in workforce development, economic equity, conservation, and youth opportunity. Partnerships may include program funding, sponsorships, employer placements, or collaborative initiatives.
Supporters can contribute through donations, sponsorships, or strategic partnerships. All contributions help expand access to training, mentorship, and economic opportunity for outdoor professionals and youth in New Mexico.
All Forward Foundation is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with a primary focus on Northern New Mexico communities. Our work is place-based, honoring local culture, land, and community knowledge.