The Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, Inc., a non-profit corporation chartered in the State of New Mexico, serves as the local coordinating body for the heritage area.

It guides heritage area activities and is charged with carrying out the purposes of the authorizing legislation, including preparation and implementation of a comprehensive management plan in consultation with affected communities,local organizations, tribal and local governments and the general public.

The Board of Directors for the management entity includes representatives of the State of New Mexico; the counties of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Taos; tribes and pueblos within the heritage area; the cities of Santa Fe, Española and Taos, and members of representatives from the general public.