Native American Advancement Foundation

What Native American Advancement Foundation does

Native American Advancement Foundation (NAAF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in April 2011 and headquartered at 6262 North Swan Road, Suite 135, Tucson, Arizona, with operational sites in GuVo Village and Ali Chugk on the Tohono O'odham Nation reservation. The organization was established by members of the Tohono O'odham Nation — initiated by David Warmack, the nine-year-old son of Board President Susan Laubner Warmack, who identified a need for literacy programs in his village — and incorporated with 501(c)(3) status granted September 19, 2011. NAAF serves the GuVo District (communities of GuVo, Ku:Kaj, Pia Oik, and Ali Chugk), reaching approximately 2,547 community members (739 on-reservation, 1,808 off-reservation), with additional holiday outreach to roughly 1,400 O'odham members in Quitovac, Mexico.

NAAF's core offerings span five program areas: education (the After-School Program, Summer Adventure Program, GED Program in partnership with the Tohono O'odham Nation's One Stop, Ce:ce:m A'al early childhood O'odham immersion, and the Virtual Learning Center); food access and sovereignty (The Store nonprofit grocery opened January 13, 2018, The Grill opened May 2018, Ruth's Oidag children's garden, and the approximately 7-acre Ali Chugk Farm Site cleared and fenced in Spring 2022); health and wellness (the Healthy O'odham Promotion Program, nationally recognized by the American Diabetes Association in September 2012, and the multi-sector Healthy People Coalition addressing substance use); cultural preservation (the I:mig Language Program, the Tohono O'odham Word of the Week series, the annual Unity Run, traditional craft instruction, and the Free As A Bird Skatepark opened March 15, 2023 as the only skatepark on the Tohono O'odham Nation); and animal welfare (a Dog Food Program serving the entire district with support from GreaterGood.org and Cody's Friends). The organization has no proprietary technology — its stack consists of a Wix website, email communications, and standard program management tools — and operates with roughly 12 paid staff plus volunteers and interns.

NAAF's revenue model is built on tax-deductible donations (individuals, corporations, foundations) collected via PayPal, checks, AmazonSmile wishlists, and Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization tax-credit donations (QCO 20818), augmented by institutional grants and ancillary grocery/food-service revenue from The Store and The Grill that supports educational programming. Its go-to-market is community-led, leveraging grassroots volunteer networks, after-school and summer program participation, recurring giving campaigns (GivingTuesday, Arizona Gives Day), and direct mail. The customer base is geographically concentrated in GuVo District and demographically concentrated in Tohono O'odham tribal members and their families. The organization maintains an extensive sponsor and partner network including the Tohono O'odham Nation, Endure Skate Group, University of Arizona (Dr. Tim Finan, Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology), GreaterGood.org, Whole Kids Foundation, Arizona Complete Health, AHCCCS, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, and the Healthy People Coalition.

Name

Native American Advancement Foundation

Legal name

Native American Advancement Foundation

Website

https://naafnow.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NAAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the GuVo District of the Tohono O'odham Nation since 2011, delivering education, food access, health, cultural preservation, and recreation programs to roughly 2,547 community members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: NAAF operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization relying primarily on donations from individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations. Donations are tax-deductible and the organization is registered as a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO 20818) in Arizona, allowing donors to receive state tax credits.
2. Grant Funding: NAAF receives grant funding from various organizations and government programs to support specific programs including education, health, food sovereignty, and community development initiatives.
3. The Store and The Grill: The Store, a nonprofit grocery in GuVo Village opened January 13, 2018, generates revenue through grocery sales. The Grill, opened in May 2018, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Proceeds support NAAF's educational programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NAAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides integrated community programs to the GuVo District of the Tohono O'odham Nation across education, food access, health, cultural preservation, and economic development. It operates multiple program sites and two revenue-generating community assets — The Store (a nonprofit grocery) and The Grill — with grocery proceeds supporting educational programs.

Product overview

NAAF operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization serving the GuVo District of the Tohono O'odham Nation with interconnected programs across education, food sovereignty, health, and cultural preservation. Core educational offerings include the After School Program, Summer Adventure Program, GED Program, and the Ce:ce:m A'al early childhood O'odham immersion program. Food initiatives center on The Store (grocery and restaurant), Ruth's Oidag garden, and Ali Chugk Farm Site. Cultural programs include the I:mig Language Program, Free As A Bird Skatepark, and Unity Run. Health programming features the Healthy O'odham Promotion Program (HOPP) and Healthy People Coalition. These programs share resources and staff, with proceeds from The Store supporting educational initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Store: A small nonprofit grocery store located in GuVo Village of GuVo District, opened January 13, 2018 to address food scarcity. Also includes The Grill opened in May 2018.
• Free As A Bird Skatepark
• I:mig Project

Products and services

• The Store A small nonprofit grocery store in GuVo Village that addresses food scarcity in a community where the nearest grocery is an hour's drive away. Provides food access and job training, with proceeds supporting NAAF's educational programs.
• The Grill at The Store Food service operation at The Store offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner for purchase, with grocery delivery also available.
• After School Program The only nonprofit after-school program serving communities within the Tohono O'odham Nation. Includes tutoring in reading, math, science, computer programming, and robotics. Offers arts and crafts, traditional Tohono O'odham skills, team sports, and language instruction.
• Summer Adventure Program Summer academic program promoting education and youth self-esteem. Focuses on reading, math, technology, and health education along with traditional O'odham art, language, gardening, and cultural history. Includes Cubelets robotics education and field trips.
• GED Program Partners with the Tohono O'odham Nation's One Stop Program to help people earn their GED and return to the workforce. Classes are offered three times weekly with transportation, laptops, internet services, and testing coordination.
• Ce:ce:m A'al o O'odham Ñeñok (Early Childhood O'odham Immersion) Early childhood O'odham immersion program for children ages 24 months through 4 years. Tohono O'odham is the primary spoken language. Equips children with a foundation of O'odham himdag, language, and preparation for elementary school entry.
• I:mig Language Program Language preservation and documentation initiative for the O'odham language with focus on western dialects. Provides immersion lessons through After-School, Early Education, and Summer Adventure Programs, and includes a Tohono O'odham Word of the Week feature.
• Free As A Bird Skatepark The only skatepark on the Tohono O'odham Nation, located in GuVo District. Features five shade ramadas, picnic tables, solar-powered lighting, and murals by local Indigenous artists. Dedicated in memory of Eli 'PK' Lewis.
• Healthy O'odham Promotion Program (HOPP) Fitness clinics and wellness counseling for students. Recognized by the American Diabetes Association in September 2012 for diabetes and obesity prevention work. Offers a culturally-based physical fitness and nutrition program.
• Healthy People Coalition Multi-sector community coalition addressing problematic use of alcohol and illicit substances among minors. Implements the Too Good for Drugs and Violence curriculum teaching social and emotional skills for healthy choices. NAAF and HPC helped start The Store in GuVo Village.
• Ruth's Oidag (Ruth's Garden) Children's experiential learning garden dedicated to an honored elder. Plants traditional Tohono O'odham foods including bawi (tepary beans), hun (corn), and ha:l (squash). Part of food sovereignty and agricultural education efforts.
• Ali Chugk Farm Site Approximately 7-acre ancestral farmland in Ali Chugk village being reclaimed for traditional crop cultivation. Features revitalized irrigation canals and charcos. Growing traditional crops and native plants for crafts; approximately 7 acres were cleared and fenced in Spring 2022.
• Unity Run Annual traditional cultural event founded in 1995 by Tohono O'odham, Hia-Ced O'odham, and Akimel O'odham members from both sides of the Mexico-US border. Promotes an alcohol-free, drug-free cultural celebration and preservation of running traditions and prayers.
• Dog Food Program Provides dog food to the entire GuVo District through donations from GreaterGood.org and Cody's Friends in Tucson. Supports community care of Rez Dogs.

Quantifiable outcome

• HOPP was nationally recognized by the American Diabetes Association in September 2012 for work towards prevention of diabetes and obesity
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tohono O'odham NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Tohono O'odham Nation is the federally-recognized tribe that includes approximately 28,000 members occupying tribal lands in Southwestern Arizona. NAAF was founded by members of the Nation and works within GuVo District, one of eleven Districts. The Nation's Department of Education collaborates with NAAF on educational resources.
• First NationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations is a nonprofit that strengthens Native American communities. They are listed as a current sponsor and partner supporting NAAF's mission.
• GreaterGood.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreaterGood.org is a 501(c)(3) focused on people, pets and the planet that has given over $30 million to groups worldwide. They provide dog food donations for NAAF's dog food program and support the Girls' Voices initiative. Liz Baker serves as VP of Business Development for GreaterGood.com and Executive Director of GreaterGood.org.
• Arizona Department of EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor supporting NAAF's educational programs and initiatives.
• Arizona Complete HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor. Arizona Complete Health also listed as a generous funder and partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Healthy People CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHPC consists of members from twelve sectors of the community to address problematic use of alcohol and illicit substances. NAAF and HPC helped start The Store in GuVo Village. HPC and GuVo District members collaborated on community resources. HPC Logo appears on educational and community resources pages.
• Whole Kids FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor supporting NAAF's programs.
• Community Foundation for Southern ArizonamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner/funder for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Endure Skate GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndure Skate Group collaborated with NAAF and the Tohono O'odham Nation to create the Free As A Bird Skatepark, opened March 15, 2023.
• The Skatepark ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a generous funder and partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark.
• Desert Diamond CasinosmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a generous funder and partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark.
• Fiesta Bowl CharitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a generous funder and partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark.
• Cowtown S.K.A.T.E.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Tucson Skatepark AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a generous funder and partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark.
• ASU WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Labriola National American Indian Data CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• ArtSpace West GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Mortal SkateshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Portugal The Man FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Seven Layer ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Southwestern Preservation FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner for the Free As A Bird Skatepark project.
• Arizona NonprofitsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor. Arizona Nonprofits partners with NAAF on Arizona Gives Day campaigns.
• University of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Tim Finan from the University of Arizona's Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology provided counsel during NAAF's founding. The Wildcat Writers program facilitates partnerships between UA Writing Program and high school students on the Tohono O'odham Nation. NAAF is a First Nations contributor to UA's HiRise Lunar and Planetary Laboratory for Mars study translations.
• Biosphere 2majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAAF helps provide student scholarships for the Summer Science Academy at Biosphere 2, a unique educational experience for middle and high school students interested in earth and ecosystem sciences.
• CFSA (Community Foundation for Southern Arizona)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor supporting NAAF's mission.
• Charley's KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor.
• Edward's Mother Earth FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor.
• Arizona FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor.
• PTM FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor.
• Honor EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor.
• NB3 FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor. NB3 is a Native-led nonprofit dedicated to improving Native American children's health.
• Cody's FriendsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTucson-based organization providing dog food donations for NAAF's dog food program serving the entire GuVo District.
• UHA Community PlanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a current sponsor.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Community Foundation for Southern Arizona: Regional grantmaking foundation that funds NAAF programs including the Skatepark. Comparable as a community-foundation funding partner and as a peer in the Southern Arizona nonprofit ecosystem, though it operates as a funder rather than direct service provider.

Direct peers

• Center for Native American Youth: National advocacy and program organization focused on Native youth opportunity and wellbeing. Overlaps with NAAF's youth education and wellness programs, including language preservation and cultural identity work.
• Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation: Native-led nonprofit dedicated to improving Native American children's health through grantmaking and programming. Directly comparable to NAAF's HOPP diabetes-prevention program and youth-focused health interventions; NB3 is also a current NAAF sponsor.
• American Indian College Fund: National Native American higher-education nonprofit providing scholarships and programmatic support. Comparable mission in Native education access and community advancement, though focused on the post-secondary segment of the same pipeline NAAF serves.
• First Nations: National Native American nonprofit that strengthens Native communities through grantmaking and capacity building. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned funder and partner operating in the same population segment; NAAF lists First Nations as a current sponsor.
• UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth): National Native youth organization promoting leadership, cultural preservation, and community service. Comparable to NAAF's youth programming, leadership development, and cultural preservation work on tribal lands.

Broad incumbents

• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES): National nonprofit advancing STEM education and career opportunities for Indigenous students. Comparable to NAAF's robotics and Summer Adventure programming but operates as a national membership organization with broader scope.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit offering after-school programming, mentoring, and recreation. Comparable operating model to NAAF's After-School Program, Summer Adventure, and Skatepark youth offerings, though at vastly greater scale.

Regional players

• Tohono O'odham Community College: Tribal college located on the Tohono O'odham Nation serving the same population as NAAF. Comparable as an educational institution serving the same community, though focused on post-secondary credentials rather than K-12 enrichment.
• Food Bank of Southern Arizona: Regional food distribution nonprofit serving Southern Arizona including tribal communities. Comparable to NAAF's The Store grocery and food access mission, with broader geographic scope and a different distribution model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NAAFnow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCp52oDh-iyY6glNBG5YqlIw
• Facebookfacebook.com/NativeAmericanAdvancementFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/naafnow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Native American Advancement Foundation