FundaMaya

What FundaMaya does

FundaMaya is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in San Diego, California with on-the-ground operations centered in Panajachel, Guatemala and the surrounding Lake Atitlán indigenous Maya communities. Founded in 2007 by Sharon Smart, Dwight Mara, Julio Coroxon, and Gloria Chiroy following Hurricane Stan relief efforts, the organization delivers a portfolio of community-development programs including three Preschool Nutrition Centers, an Education Sponsorship Program covering preschool through university, an Elderly Care Sponsorship Program, women's economic-empowerment initiatives (Sewing Classes and Artisan Program), a Community Aid emergency-assistance program, a Firefighter Support Program serving 18 volunteer fire stations, an Uniting Families adoption-relative search service, and an animal-welfare initiative. Revenue is generated through a diversified donation model spanning one-time gifts, monthly recurring sponsorships tiered at $40–$167 per month for student categories and $45 for elderly care, itemized gifts (food baskets, stoves, water filters, school supplies), planned giving (bequests, IRA QCDs, DAFs, stock, crypto, real estate), and donor visits with volunteer groups; the organization also operates a separate Canadian registered charity (FundaMaya Canada) and partners with Action Alliance International for US tax-deductibility.

The operating model is relationship-driven and community-led: indigenous Maya staff and board members deliver programs in Kaqchikel and Spanish, with donor-student communication intermediated by Fundamaya translators, and acquisition of supporters runs through personal networks, donor visits to Guatemala, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter), a blog, Constant Contact newsletters, and informational talks. No proprietary software platform or AI/ML technology is employed; the technology layer is limited to a Wix-hosted website, the Givebutter donation gateway, and standard third-party payment rails. The organization tracks outcomes granularly — reporting 773 students sponsored, 1,247 food baskets distributed, 1,890 clean-water beneficiaries, 14,000 elderly meals, and 18 fire stations supported in 2025 — and pursues cross-program impact rather than a single product line.

Strategic positioning is differentiated by an indigenous-led delivery model ('Maya helping Maya'), multi-decade community embeddedness, and an unusual breadth of programs relative to a small 11–50 person staff. Growth has been achieved without institutional capital: the organization separated from co-founded Mayan Families in 2018, secured its own 501(c)(3) status in 2019 via partnership with Action Alliance International, transitioned executive leadership to Zoe Mara Smart, and expanded its donor infrastructure across the US and Canada while scaling program verticals into firefighter support and animal welfare.

Name

FundaMaya

Legal name

Fundamaya

Website

https://fundamaya.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FundaMaya is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering education, elderly care, nutrition, economic-empowerment, and firefighter support programs to Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala's Lake Atitlán region, funded primarily by individual donors via recurring sponsorships and one-time gifts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Humanitarian Aid

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Community Food Services (624210), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Emergency Preparedness & Response Funding (Public Health) (HLAJALAL)

Keywords

• International humanitarian aid
• Community development programs
• Education sponsorship services
• Elderly care programs
• Women economic empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

Panajachel, Solola

HQ country

Guatemala

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations (One-time): One-time monetary donations made by individuals via website (Givebutter/PayPal), check, Zelle, Venmo, bank deposit, wire transfer, stock, or cryptocurrency. Donors can designate gifts to specific programs or the general fund.
2. Monthly Recurring Sponsorships: Recurring monthly sponsorships for students (Preschool–6th grade at $40/month, 7th–12th at $55/month, University at $167/month) and elderly individuals ($45/month). Donors commit to regular monthly contributions that provide steady, predictable funding for specific individuals or programs.
3. In-Kind Donations / Itemized Gifts: Donors purchase specific items (food baskets, furniture, clothing, school supplies, birthday packages, medical appointments) at stated unit prices. These are material goods rather than cash donations, though monetary value is assigned to each item.
4. Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts: Bequests through wills or trusts, retirement account beneficiary designations, life insurance policy gifts, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts. Provides long-term, endowment-style revenue sustainability.
5. Real Estate Donations: Outright gifts of property, retained life estates, or bequests of real estate. Properties are sold to generate program funding or support organizational sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels14 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

FundaMaya is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and delivers a portfolio of community development programs for Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala's Lake Atitlan region. Its core offerings include Preschool Nutrition Centers (bilingual early education plus daily meals), recurring Education Sponsorships (preschool through university), Elderly Care Sponsorships (meals and companionship), Community Aid (emergency family assistance), a women's Sewing Classes program with sewing machine provision upon graduation, a Firefighter Support Program supplying volunteer Bomberos, an Artisan Program for fair-trade product sales, animal welfare, and the Uniting Families program for adoption-related family searches. Revenue is generated almost entirely through charitable donations (one-time, recurring monthly, in-kind, planned giving) from individual donors, faith-based groups, Rotary clubs, and volunteer teams.

Product overview

FundaMaya is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of community development programs focused on Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala's Lake Atitlán region. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of programs including three Preschool Nutrition Centers providing bilingual education and daily meals, an Education Sponsorship Program (Preschool-University), an Elderly Care Sponsorship Program with senior meal centers, a Sewing Classes Program for women's economic empowerment, a Community Aid Program for emergency assistance, a Friends of the Animals welfare initiative, a Firefighter Support Program, an Artisan Program for fair-trade sales, and an Uniting Families Program for adoption support. Additionally, the organization facilitates various tangible donation items including food baskets, school supplies, family health/hygiene packages, furniture, clothing, birthday gifts, and clean energy solutions (water filters, ecological stoves, solar panels). The programs collectively aim to address education, healthcare, nutrition, economic opportunity, and community infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Nutrition Centers Three Preschool Nutrition Centers in Lake Atitlan communities (Panajachel, San Jorge La Laguna, San Antonio Palopo) providing bilingual education transitioning children from Mayan dialects to Spanish, daily nutritious meals and snacks, hygiene education, and school readiness to combat chronic malnutrition and prepare children for public school.
• Education Sponsorship Program Sponsorship program covering preschool through university education that provides uniforms, school supplies, shoes, tutoring, and university support to remove financial barriers and keep Indigenous Maya children in school through degree completion.
• Elderly Care Sponsorship Program Program providing elderly Indigenous Maya individuals in extreme poverty with five hot, nutritious meals per week, companionship, and community connection delivered at the San Jorge La Laguna Senior Center.
• Sewing Classes Program Women's empowerment program offering beginner ($240 total / $40 per month for 6 months) and advanced ($260 total / $26 per month for 10 months) sewing classes with all materials included; graduates receive a sewing machine upon course completion to support income generation.
• Community Aid Program Emergency and ongoing assistance program providing food, shelter, medical care, clean water, clean cooking solutions, and case management to families facing crises such as medical emergencies, natural disasters, or chronic food insecurity.
• Friends of the Animals Program Animal welfare initiative teaching compassionate animal care, providing spay/neuter services, food, and veterinary care for stray dogs and cats in Lake Atitlan communities.
• Firefighter Support Program Program providing training, fire trucks, equipment, and medical supplies to Guatemalan volunteer firefighters (Bomberos Voluntarios) who serve as EMTs, midwives, and nurse practitioners across 18 fire stations and multiple municipalities.
• Artisan Program Program providing training, production support, and fair-trade sales opportunities for Indigenous Maya women and students producing beaded, woven, and sewn artisan products through individual and wholesale channels.
• Uniting Families Program Program assisting international adoptive families with Guatemalan birth family searches, including DNA coordination, contact facilitation, and one-time or ongoing support to birth families with discretion.
• Food Baskets (Donation Catalog) Standardized food basket donation items including standard basket ($76, feeds family of 8-10), basket plus 100 lb corn bag ($140), grains basket ($90), and holiday baskets for Valentine's Day, Holy Easter Week, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Education Support Items (Donation Catalog) Catalog of education-related donation items including preschool snacks ($105), preschool lunch ($150), tutoring ($9/hour, $18/week, $72/month), books and uniforms for university ($500), nursing degree ($3,000) and certification ($1,200), and full-year English classes ($1,000).
• Family Support Packages (Donation Catalog) Catalog of family support donation items including family health package ($70), hygiene packages ($70), newborn packages ($110), elderly care package ($70), psychology sessions ($25-$55), and medical/dental/ophthalmology appointments ($50 each).
• Water and Energy Solutions (Donation Catalog) Catalog of clean water and clean energy donation items including water filtration units with tables ($167), Onil ecological stoves ($285), gas cylinders ($115), and solar panels for households in rural Lake Atitlan communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 773 students actively supported in 2025
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chief Scott Magness (Clearwater Fire Department)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Chief Scott Magness from Clearwater, Florida has conducted multiple firefighter training missions in Guatemala. He has donated to approximately 18 fire stations and provided basic CPR training. His stations have consistently supported and donated toward the firefighter program.
• FMCminorOthersLogo partner displayed on the Our Partners page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available source content.
• Rotary Club of TillamookcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRotary Club partnership supporting FundaMaya's community programs. Rotary International clubs frequently collaborate on humanitarian projects, likely contributing funding, volunteer support, or program resources for education and community development in Guatemala.
• Poway (Community Church of Poway, San Diego)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Church of Poway, San Diego supports FundaMaya's sewing program by donating sewing machines, fabric, and supplies. Pastor Jim Nicolay serves as a connection point. This is a key operational partner for the women's empowerment program.
• TASminorOthersLogo partner on the Our Partners page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available source content.
• Sattva Family HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing medical services or support. Logo displayed on the Our Partners page.
• Blessings InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting FundaMaya's humanitarian programs. Nature of collaboration includes medical supply donations.
• KhalsminorOthersLogo partner displayed on the Our Partners page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available source content.
• GLOVALminorOthersLogo partner displayed on the Our Partners page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available source content.
• TRAVEL (Partner)minorOthersTravel partner supporting donor visits or logistics for FundaMaya programs in Guatemala. Logo displayed on the Our Partners page.
• Panajachel PartnerminorOthersPartner based in or associated with Panajachel, Guatemala. Logo displayed on the Our Partners page.
• AdelphiominorOthersLogo partner displayed on the Our Partners page. Nature of partnership not detailed in available source content.
• Global Legacy ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner that helps FundaMaya provide sewing machines to women upon graduation from the sewing program. Supports women's economic empowerment by bridging the gap between program completion and sustainable income generation.
• Chief Jim Jones (Florida Firefighters)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChief Jim Jones and his firefighter network from Monticello, Florida and King's Bay Rotary have donated retired firetrucks and trained Guatemalan firefighters on equipment use. Has made multiple visits to train with the donated firetrucks.
• Rotary Club of Monticello, FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRotary Club from Monticello, Florida has contributed to the firefighter program by supporting firetruck donations and related equipment for Guatemalan volunteer fire stations.
• King's Bay Rotary (Florida)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's Bay Rotary has partnered with FundaMaya to support the firefighter program, contributing to firetruck donations and firefighter training for Guatemalan volunteer fire stations.
• Crystal River Rotary (Florida)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrystal River Rotary has partnered with FundaMaya to support the firefighter program through firetruck donations for volunteer fire stations in Guatemala.
• Oficial Mario Churunel (Bomberos Station 33, Panajachel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal firefighter leader who co-founded the firefighter program with FundaMaya. Plays a key coordinating role in managing support to fire stations across the region.
• Action Alliance International, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization that partnered with FundaMaya in 2019 to enable FundaMaya to accept donations with tax-deductible benefits in the United States while FundaMaya operates legally on the ground in Guatemala. FundaMaya is the service provider for programs.
• Free MamasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGroup of supporters who visited FundaMaya's preschool and elderly care centers in Guatemala in November 2024, bringing donations of shoes, clothing, and toys and sharing joy with the community.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Pencils of Promise: Larger U.S.-based nonprofit building schools and funding education programs in Guatemala and other developing countries. Comparable education mission but at significantly greater scale and broader geographic footprint.

Direct peers

• Pueblo a Pueblo: Nonprofit supporting indigenous communities around Lake Atitlán with education, maternal health, and community development programs. Direct geographic and program overlap with Fundamaya.
• Common Hope: Nonprofit working in Guatemala with child sponsorship, education, healthcare, and housing programs for families in poverty. Highly comparable sponsorship-driven model serving Guatemalan families.
• Long Way Home: Nonprofit building self-sufficient schools from recycled materials in rural Guatemala, combining construction, education, and environmental programs. Comparable community-development focus on indigenous Guatemala.
• Casa Guatemala: Nonprofit orphanage and school in Rio Dulce, Guatemala serving abandoned and at-risk children with education, healthcare, and nutrition. Comparable residential education model for vulnerable Guatemalan children.
• Starfish One by One: Nonprofit sponsoring indigenous girls' education in rural Guatemala through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership programs. Comparable sponsorship model targeting indigenous Mayan girls' education.
• Limitless Horizons Ixil: Nonprofit serving indigenous youth in Guatemala's Ixil region with education sponsorship, library, and scholarship programs. Closely comparable mission, geography, and beneficiary demographic to Fundamaya.
• Safe Passage: Nonprofit serving children and families living in extreme poverty near the Guatemala City garbage dump, focused on education and youth development. Comparable nonprofit operating model targeting Guatemalan children in poverty.
• Hearts in Motion: Nonprofit organizing medical mission trips and community aid in Guatemala and Latin America. Comparable volunteer-driven community service model in Guatemala.
• Mayan Families: Former sister organization of Fundamaya that separated in 2018; both serve indigenous Maya communities in the Lake Atitlán region with sponsorship, education, and family aid programs. Operates the most directly comparable model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/FundaMayaGuate
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf3zngFXqb1Q4nS54ldCxdQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Fundamaya19
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundamaya
• TikToktiktok.com/@fundamaya_guate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundamaya

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FundaMaya