New Mexico's Tech Overhaul Unlocks $72 Million in Federal Funds

SANTA FE, NM – December 11, 2025 – The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) has turned a strategic technology investment into a massive financial windfall, securing an additional $72 million in federal funding. By modernizing its grants management process with a new cloud-based platform, the state achieved a remarkable multiplier effect, generating $4.25 in federal dollars for every $1 of state money invested. This achievement not only brings the state's Match Fund program to a total of $147 million but also establishes a powerful blueprint for how governments can leverage technology to maximize public resources and drive community impact.

At the heart of this transformation is the DFA's shift away from antiquated, manual processes to a streamlined, digital-first approach. The catalyst was the implementation of Euna Grants, a purpose-built software solution from Euna Solutions designed to manage the entire grants lifecycle. The move represents a significant leap forward in the nationwide push for GovTech adoption, demonstrating a clear return on investment that goes far beyond simple efficiency gains.

From Spreadsheets to Strategic Funding

Before this modernization, the DFA’s Infrastructure Division, like many public sector agencies, grappled with a fragmented system. Staff relied on a patchwork of spreadsheets, emails, and disconnected databases to manage billions in state and federal funds. This approach was not only time-consuming but also fraught with the potential for human error, limited program visibility, and significant compliance risks. As pandemic-era stimulus packages and increased state revenues swelled the influx of funding, the cracks in the old system became impossible to ignore.

“Adopting new software was only the first step,” said Hallie Brown, deputy director of DFA’s Infrastructure Division, in a statement. “What really matters is how it’s helping us build a community of practice — one rooted in collaboration and shared accountability that benefits every New Mexican community. The right technology can completely transform how a grant program works. After using Euna Grants, I honestly can’t imagine managing grants any other way.”

The search for a solution led them to a configurable, cloud-based platform that could automate complex workflows and centralize all grant-related data. The implementation was remarkably swift. Within just six months, the DFA had the system operational for its New Mexico Match Fund, a $75 million program established in 2024 by House Bill 177 to help state and local entities secure competitive federal grants. This platform replaced manual data entry and disjointed communication with a single, transparent hub for everything from initial application and review to fund disbursement and final reporting.

The Multiplier Effect: A Blueprint for Fiscal Innovation

The financial results of this technological shift are staggering. The efficiency and transparency gained through the new system enabled the DFA to demonstrate a powerful multiplier effect. For every dollar the state invested through its Match Fund, it successfully attracted $4.25 in federal funding. This capability was instrumental in securing the additional $72 million, effectively doubling the program's initial capital.

This success is not an anomaly but the result of a deliberate state strategy. New Mexico has a documented history of leveraging state appropriations to win substantial federal awards. In fiscal year 2024, a smaller $10 million matching fund leveraged nearly $86 million in federal funds—a ratio of over 8-to-1. Later that year, the DFA awarded over $57 million in matching grants that secured more than $200 million for 57 local projects. The implementation of a dedicated grants management platform has solidified and scaled this strategy, providing the robust infrastructure needed to manage these complex funding streams with precision and accountability.

The platform provides real-time data and analytics, allowing administrators to track performance, monitor compliance, and make data-driven decisions. This level of oversight is critical when managing multiple funding streams, each with its own distinct and complex compliance requirements. By automating much of this tracking, the system frees up public servants to focus on higher-value activities, such as providing technical assistance to grantees and identifying new funding opportunities.

Beyond the Bottom Line: Building Trust and Transparency

While the financial return is the headline achievement, the operational and community-level impacts are equally transformative. The modernization effort has fundamentally improved the relationship between the state and its grantees, which include tribal governments, counties, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. One of the most significant changes has been the shift in how funds are disbursed.

Previously, grantees often operated on a reimbursement model, forcing them to front costs and wait for payment, a practice that can strain the cash flow of smaller organizations. With the new system's real-time tracking and simplified reporting, the DFA can now disburse funds on a monthly basis. This provides grantees with greater operational stability and flexibility, fostering a relationship built on trust and partnership rather than transactional bureaucracy.

This newfound efficiency has also cultivated a 'community of practice' across the state. What began as an innovation within the DFA is now evolving into a statewide model. The department has established a user group to share best practices, standardized templates, and lessons learned with other agencies. This collaborative approach is helping to build institutional knowledge and lay the groundwork for broader adoption, breaking down the information silos that often hinder inter-agency cooperation.

A Statewide Model for GovTech Transformation

New Mexico's success story is a microcosm of a larger trend sweeping across the public sector. Governments are increasingly turning to specialized cloud solutions to navigate the complexities of modern administration, spurred by a wave of federal funding from programs like the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). These funds provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in digital infrastructure, and states like New Mexico are demonstrating how to do it effectively.

The DFA's vision extends far beyond its own division. The department is planning for up to 10 additional state agencies to onboard to the Euna Grants platform by the end of the second year. This ambitious plan aligns with New Mexico's overarching IT strategic goals to leverage and scale new technologies across the state, creating a standardized, efficient, and transparent government ecosystem.

“New Mexico DFA’s success illustrates what’s possible when technology and mission come together,” noted Brian Haney, Chief Customer Officer at Euna Solutions. “Euna Grants helps public servants deliver resources faster, strengthen trust, and improve outcomes for the communities they serve. This is the kind of impact-driven innovation that defines the future of government.”

As New Mexico continues its push toward statewide standardization, the grants management platform serves as a cornerstone of its modernization strategy. It is an example of how investing in the right digital tools can empower public servants, enhance fiscal responsibility, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for citizens across the state.