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Native American Advancement Foundation Inc

EIN 45-2725155 · Tucson, AZ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DELIVER ACADEMIC, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE TOHONO O'ODHAM NATION THROUGH RESEARCHED-BASED, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN, SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
24
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$83,948, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 58% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $504,803 spent. FOOD SOVEREIGNTY THE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROGRAM ADDRESSES LOCAL FOOD INSECURITY THROUGH MULTIPLE OPERATIONS: COMMUNITY GARDENING, HOME GARDENING, AND COMMUNITY FARMING. THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2019 WHEN NAAF ESTABLISHED RUTH'S OIDAG, A THRIVING COMMUNITY GARDEN AND OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE LOCATED ON NAAF'S CAMPUS IN GUVO COMMUNITY. PRODUCE FROM RUTH'S OIDAG IS DISTRIBUTED, FREE OF CHARGE, THROUGH NAAF'S 501(C)(3) GROCERY STORE AS WELL AS THE GARDEN'S FOOD PANTRY. SINCE PLANTING RUTH'S OIDAG, NAAF HAS GONE ON TO CONSTRUCT NUMEROUS COMMUNITY GARDENS, HOME GARDENS, AND WORKED TO REVITALIZE ANCESTRAL FARM LANDS. HEALTH EDUCATION IS ALSO A PART OF THE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROGRAM. NAAF HOSTS MONTHLY COMMUNITY COOKING CLASSES FOR ALL AGES AND INCORPORATES THESE LESSONS INTO THE AFTER-SCHOOL, SUMMER ADVENTURE, AND EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  2. $293,678 spent. GUVO ACADEMIC AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM THE AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAM PROVIDES CONSISTENT, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO TOHONO O'ODHAM YOUTH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM OPERATES MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, OFFERING TUTORING, HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, STEM LESSONS, SNACKS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES IN A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. WITH A FOCUS ON LITERACY, MATH, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE PROGRAM INTEGRATES O'ODHAM HIMDAG (WAY OF LIFE) TO PROMOTE BOTH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND CULTURAL IDENTITY.
  3. $243,946 spent. 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.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.