A Farewell Toast to Anne Haines

Two December gatherings brought DreamMakers together to honor the past and look ahead. 

In December, DreamSpring hosted two gatherings that encompassed where we’ve been and where we’re headed — a celebration honoring our retiring founder, as well as a community open house at our Albuquerque headquarters.  

We first came together at Casa Rondeña Winery to celebrate DreamSpring Founder Anne Haines as she began a well-earned retirement from the organization after 32 years of leadership. The room was filled with board members past and present, community leaders, longtime partners, clients, and supporters who have walked alongside Anne and DreamSpring over the years. 

Anne’s work has indelibly shaped DreamSpring into what it is today. Her belief in people who are often overlooked, paired with a deep respect for their determination and creativity, has helped thousands of entrepreneurs start businesses, grow nonprofits, create jobs, and build stability for their families and communities. While her role at DreamSpring has changed, the impact of her leadership continues through the entrepreneurs and organizations she has supported. 

The following day, DreamSpring decked the adobe walls at its Albuquerque headquarters for a Community Open House. Neighbors, partners, clients, and friends and family stopped by to connect with staff and eat delicious Costa Rican-inspired specialties catered by DreamSpring client Kattia Rojas of Buen Provecho Albuquerque. It was such a pleasure to share stories from the organization’s journey over the past three decades, as well as look forward to the future together.  

We are sincerely thankful to the sponsors whose support made these gatherings possible and who continue to invest in DreamSpring’s mission and the entrepreneurs we serve: 

Your generosity helps carry forward Anne’s legacy and supports DreamSpring’s ongoing work to expand access to affordable capital, financial education, and business resources. Because of partners like you, DreamSpring can continue supporting entrepreneurs as they build businesses that strengthen families and local economies. 

As we look ahead, we invite our community to continue this work through the Anne Haines DreamUp Fund for Transformational Impact. Each contribution helps ensure entrepreneurs, particularly those historically excluded from traditional financing, have access to the tools and capital they need to move forward. Together, we can DreamUp a world of opportunity for all — and fulfil Anne’s enduring vision of creating generations of positive change through small business dreams.