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ZION INSTITUTE

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 830370609 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE P20 · Human Services · Medium ($1M-$10M) · thezioninstitute.org
revenue
$1.6M
expenses
$1.3M
net assets
$-22K
employees
29
volunteers
35
program ratio
75%
filing since
2020
mission · from form 990

ZION'S MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES, AND FOSTER CARE PROVIDER LICENSING. IT IS OUR ENDEAVOR TO BUILD HEALTHY CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Zion Institute is an operational nonprofit that empowers individuals and communities in Central Phoenix by providing education, support, and training. It focuses on breaking cycles of generational poverty through programs in early childhood care, small business development, and entrepreneurship. The institute aims to foster improved quality of life and economic resilience in vulnerable communities.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Center for Childcare Entrepreneurship
Empowers social entrepreneurs to open early education centers by providing training and business coaching, structured around First Things First’s Quality First requirements.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Training
Offers training, mentorship, low-cost office space, and business resources for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to launch or grow their businesses.
THE WELL @ Zion Institute
Provides transformational community resources and social enterprise training, with multiple locations in South Phoenix.
activities · 3

what they do

direct service · 1
  • Community Resource and Social Enterprise Training Centers
    ZION INSTITUTE expanded THE WELL @ Zion Institute to multiple locations in 2025, providing community resources and social enterprise training.
capacity building · 2
  • Childcare Entrepreneurship Training and Support Early Care Provider Training & Support
    ZION INSTITUTE created the Center for Childcare Entrepreneurship to guide new owner teams through planning and implementing early education centers, providing training and business coaching to increase capacity and education quality.
  • Entrepreneurship Training and Business Resources Entrepreneurship Incubation & Technical Assistance
    ZION INSTITUTE provides training and mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, offering capacity-building support through low-cost office space and business resources.
strategies · 5

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) asset_based_community_development unique to this org
    ZION INSTITUTE utilizes Asset-Based Community Development strategies to identify and leverage existing strengths and resources within communities and the marketplace, thereby building capacity from within.
  • Empowerment-Based Community Development empowerment_based_community_development unique to this org
    ZION INSTITUTE empowers individuals and communities through education, support, training, and connections to foster an improved quality of life, aiming to break cycles of generational poverty and transform communities by building their capacity for critical solutions.
  • Holistic Support and Development holistic_support unique to this org
    ZION INSTITUTE provides comprehensive support that addresses the physical, emotional, economic, and spiritual well-being of individuals and families, believing that a holistic approach is essential for fostering independence, resilience, and long-term success.
  • Standards-Based Program Design standards_based_program_design unique to this org
    ZION INSTITUTE structures its programs, such as the childcare entrepreneurship model, around established quality requirements and standards to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
  • Strategic Organizational Development for Ministry Growth strategic_organizational_development unique to this org
    ZION INSTITUTE applies strategic organizational development principles to church reorganization to accelerate the growth and impact of ministry efforts.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$1.58M
Contributions & grants$879K56%
Program service revenue$655K42%
Investment income$10%
Other revenue$43K
expenses
Total expenses$1.29M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$408K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$330K
Cash$77K
Investments$0
Liabilities$352K
Net assets$-22K
Liquid reserves0.7 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue +254.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
SHAWN M PEARSON CEO 8 $9K
board members · 4
  • ALLEN HUNTER — DIRECTOR
  • ASHBY WALTERS — DIRECTOR
  • JQUANE HILL — DIRECTOR
  • NAVARRO WHITAKER — CHAIRMAN
relationships · 3

who they work with

  • First Things First Partner — Its childcare entrepreneurship model is structured around First Things First’s Quality First requirements.
  • Open Table Partner — Partnered to create the Center for Childcare Entrepreneurship.
  • The F.I.R.M. (Focused Intentional Reorganizational Ministry) Partner — Collaborates on church reorganization and organizational development initiatives.