Native American Advancement Foundation Inc.

“The president and ceo have a family relationship.”

“The form 990 is reviewed by the president, treasurer and bookkeeper. After their review, a copy is delivered to all board members prior to filing.”

“Native american advancement foundation's conflict of interest policy covers any director or committee member with governing board delegated powers, or any employee, who has a direct or indirect financial interest. In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the board committee. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the board committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. After exercising due diligence, the board committee shall determine whether naaf can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the board committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in naaf's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.”

“In 2020, the board of directors researched non-profit organizations of similar size located in the southwest region. Determination of the compensation was agreed upon by the board of directors after comparing the industry salaries for similar organizations.”

“The foundation's public disclosure copies of financials and forms 990 are available upon request. Form 990 is also posted on guidestar.”

“The majority of naaf volunteers are community members of guvo district, and surrounding districts, of the tohono o'odham nation. These volunteers assist with transportation, deliveries, tutoring, instruction, and special events. Naaf also hosts volunteers from partnering organizations to lead workshops and trainings, or offer help with projects.”

“Guvo academic after-school program (asp) an enrichment education program, asp provides tutoring and family support services with a healthy meal after school. Asp does more than help with homework. The naaf education team created original curriculum designed to provide science, technology, engineering and math (stem) learning and skill-building, primary prevention and wellness from an indigenous perspective, and tohono o'odham language, art and culture. Asp developed from community-based research and local, regional and national education data. Guvo community members and professional tutors from the district develop and manage the after-school program, which includes extracurricular activities designed to keep students scholastically engaged as well as physically fit. Students begin each session with a study hour where instructors provide tutoring in reading, writing, math, science, and the study of computer programming and robotics. Arts and crafts are also included throughout the week including art, painting, sewing, ceramics, and beading. Traditional o'odham cultural lessons are taught including pottery, dance, cooking, basket making, o'odham language, traditional songs, and gardening. In response to covid-19 and in accordance with the cdc and tohono o'odham nation executive order, in-person programming for asp was suspended through the 2020-2021 academic year. In response to the shutdown, naaf mobilized door-to-door delivery of program supplies and materials along with virtual lessons. In this capacity, naaf was able to expand enrollment from 65 students to 120 students. Meals and snacks were delivered 5 days a week, and program packets were delivered at least monthly. Asp extended into the summer months, to compensate for the academic setbacks resulting from the digital divide. During the fall semester of 2021, naaf implemented virtual asp programming for upwards of 50 students to support the school's remote learning efforts. These 50 students continued receiving daily meal and snack deliveries, along with weekly asp packets containing materials for the week's lessons. During 2021, no youth who participated in the after-school program dropped out of school, securing the program's 100% academic retention rate since inception. Naaf teaches the students evidence-based prevention curriculum to increase the perception of harm of underage drinking and drug use. These lessons are reinforced on the weekends by providing drug and alcohol-free activities each month. These activities may include field trips, game days, sports, movie nights, star gazing, or camp outs. Participating in the district's healthy o'odham promotion program (hopp) is also incorporated into our lesson planning. The hopp offers fitness clinics and wellness counseling to the students. In september of 2012, hopp was nationally recognized by the american diabetes association for its work towards prevention of diabetes and obesity (the second largest native american tribe, the tohono o'odham has the highest rate of adult onset diabetes in the world, with over 70% of its adult members having the disease). Health and wellness lessons prepared by registered nurses specifically for the program are taught, focusing on the importance of a healthy lifestyle to avoid type 2 diabetes and other illnesses.”

“The store the store provides four rural communities with access to food and household staples. This program also provides job training and internships for high school and college students, allowing them to build their resumes for future employment. The store helps break a cycle of poverty by offering part-time employment. As a direct connection between tohono o'odham culture and economic empowerment, the store provides a space for local artisans to sell their art on consignment without charge. Finally, the store serves as a gathering place for locals to enjoy outside games and events in a safe and drug/alcohol free environment, promoting a drug/alcohol free lifestyle in a prevention type model.”

“Virtual learning center (vlc) the high school dropout rate is among the highest in the district of guvo for the tohono o'odham nation and for the united states as a whole. One of the barriers to education is the remote location of the communities. The vlc is a program that provides online support for students who have dropped out of school and wish to finish their education. With the vlc, students are reengaged in a learning environment and register for ged classes. This program serves as a tool in educating the nation's most at-risk youth. Additionally, the vlc laptops are equipped with tutoring programs and academic support services. In 2020, the vlc expanded student services and established the guvo community learning center (lc). The lc is a local facility where such services as the following are provided (i) access to digital learning resources, (ii) early learning and playing experiences for children not yet old enough to attend school, (iii) academic support for school age children, (iv) family member participation in children's education, (v) school selection and placement, (vi) research and pursuit of individual academic opportunities such as high school and college financial aid, and (vii) provide families and children with information on relevant available resources.”