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AZULITA PROJECT INC

FLAGSTAFF, AZ · EIN 810869112 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE P20 · Human Services · Micro (<$100K) · www.azulitaproject.org
revenue
$71K
expenses
$60K
net assets
$49K
employees
mission · from form 990

SEE SCHEDULE O

profile · synthesized from sources

The Azulita Project is a nonprofit focused on reducing plastic pollution through community-based education and waste reduction programs in Flagstaff, Arizona, and coastal communities in Mexico. The organization runs reusable rental programs, school education initiatives, and plastic recapture efforts, while supporting international partners in ocean-bound plastic cleanup. Since 2008, it has diverted over 500 tons of plastic from the Pacific Ocean.

named programs · 7 · from sources

what they call their work

Education
Offers free curriculum materials, DIY recipes, and the Strive for 5 school program focused on zero-waste principles and plastic reduction
Lomi Loanie
Joint program with Willow Bend Environmental Education Center offering free weekly rentals of Lomi countertop composters to schools and community groups
Plastic Recapture
Partners with communities in Mexico to collect, clean, and bale ocean-bound plastic for recycling or reuse; supported for over a decade in Guerrero
Reusable Rentals
Provides reusable cups, plates, and cutlery for community events, festivals, and galas in Flagstaff to reduce single-use plastics
Reusable Water Bottles for Schools
Partners with the City of Flagstaff to provide free reusable water bottles and plastic reduction education to local classrooms
Single-Use Plastic Free Film Fest
Collaborates with Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival to eliminate single-use plastics at event venues, diverting over 13,000 disposable items since 2018
Support for WILDCOAST
Provides grant funding to WILDCOAST for community engagement, cleanups, and plastic collector booms in Tijuana’s El Pato neighborhood
activities · 11 groups

what they do

  • Plastic Waste Reuse & Recycling Programs 9 activities
    • Donation of Waste Collection Equipment
      Donated collection facility equipment, including a plastic baler and forklift, to a local business in Saladita in 2024, after operating a plastic collection facility in Los Llanos for over ten years.
    • Political Sign Reuse Program
      Secured pledges from Flagstaff mayoral and City Council candidates to reuse or repurpose political signs and collected over 1,000 plastic political signs for creative reuse by residents, schools, and artists.
    • Political Sign Reuse Program
      Secured pledges from 2020 Flagstaff mayoral and City Council candidates to reuse or repurpose political signs, and collected over 1,000 plastic political signs for creative reuse by residents, schools, and artists.
    • Political Sign Reuse Program
      Secured pledges from 2020 Flagstaff mayoral and City Council candidates to reuse or repurpose political signs, and collected over 1,000 plastic political signs for creative reuse by residents, schools, and artists.
    • Political Sign Reuse and Recycling
      Secured pledges from 2020 Flagstaff mayoral and City Council candidates to reuse or repurpose political signs, and collected over 1,000 plastic political signs for creative reuse by residents, schools, and artists.
    • Reusable Bag Circulation Program
      Collected, cleaned, and recirculated over 2,000 reusable cloth bags to Flagstaff community members between 2020 and 2024, with new bags sourced from recycled plastic bottles.
    • Reusable Bag Program
      Collected, cleaned, and recirculated over 2,000 reusable cloth bags to Flagstaff community members between 2020 and 2024, including new bags made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
    • Reusable Cloth Bag Circulation
      Collected, cleaned, and recirculated over 2,000 reusable cloth bags to Flagstaff community members between 2020 and 2024, with new bags sourced from recycled plastic bottles.
    • Reusable Cloth Bag Distribution
      Collected, cleaned, and recirculated over 2,000 reusable cloth bags to Flagstaff community members between 2020 and 2024, with new bags sourced from ChicoBag's rePETe program made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
  • Reusable Event Ware Rentals 8 activities
    • DIY Plastic Reduction Recipes
      Provides a curated collection of DIY recipes to help individuals reduce their reliance on plastic packaging.
    • DIY Plastic Reduction Resources
      Provides a curated collection of DIY recipes to help individuals reduce their reliance on plastic packaging.
    • DIY Plastic Reduction Resources
      Provides a curated collection of DIY recipes to help individuals reduce their reliance on plastic packaging.
    • Plastic-Free DIY Recipes
      Provides a curated collection of DIY recipes that reduce reliance on plastic packaging and help individuals reduce plastic waste.
    • Zero Waste Event Rentals
      Offers a free Reusable Rentals program in Flagstaff, AZ, providing BPA-free cups, plates, and cutlery for events to reduce single-use plastic disposables. This program has prevented over 13,600 single-use items from entering landfills since 2020 and includes transport, return bins, signage, sanitizer, and cup racks.
    • Zero Waste Event Rentals
      Provides a free Reusable Rentals program in Flagstaff, offering BPA-free cups, plates, and cutlery for events, including transport, return bins, signage, sanitizer, and cup racks. This program has prevented over 13,600 single-use items from entering landfills since 2020, including partnerships with events like the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival.
    • Zero Waste Event Reusable Rentals Program
      Provides a free Reusable Rentals program in Flagstaff, Arizona, offering cups, plates, and cutlery for events to reduce single-use plastic waste. This program includes transport, return bins, signage, sanitizer, and cup racks, and has prevented over 13,600 single-use items from entering landfills since 2020.
    • Zero Waste Event Reusable Rentals Program
      Provides a free Reusable Rentals program in Flagstaff, Arizona, offering cups, plates, and cutlery for events to reduce single-use plastic disposables. This program includes transport, return bins, signage, sanitizer, and cup racks, and has prevented over 13,600 single-use items from entering landfills since 2020.
  • Organized Community Litter Cleanups 5 activities
    • Community Outreach and Engagement
      Conducts outreach through tabling at community events and markets in Flagstaff and engages volunteers in delivering organizational programs. This also includes organizing litter cleanups as part of environmental programming.
    • Community Outreach and Engagement
      Conducts outreach through tabling at community events and markets in Flagstaff, engages volunteers in delivering programs, and organizes litter cleanups as part of its environmental programming.
    • Community Outreach and Engagement
      Engages volunteers in delivering organizational programs and conducts outreach through tabling at community events and markets in Flagstaff.
    • Litter Cleanups
      Conducts litter cleanups as part of its environmental programming.
    • Litter Cleanups
      Conducts litter cleanups as part of its environmental programming.
  • Toxic Pollution & Plastic Advocacy 4 activities
    • Plastic Pollution Advocacy
      Co-convened the #PlasticFreePresident campaign, which identified 8 priority actions to address plastic pollution during President Biden's first year in office.
    • Plastic Pollution Advocacy
      Co-convened the #PlasticFreePresident campaign, which identified 8 priority actions to address plastic pollution during President Biden's first year.
    • Plastic Pollution Advocacy
      Co-convened the #PlasticFreePresident campaign, which identified 8 priority actions to address plastic pollution during President Biden's first year.
    • Plastic Pollution Advocacy
      Co-convened the #PlasticFreePresident campaign, identifying 8 priority actions to address plastic pollution during President Biden's first year.
  • Zero Waste Event & Market Operations 4 activities
    • Zero Waste Business and Event Resources
      Develops and shares a resource library to help restaurants, cafés, and small businesses transition to zero waste practices, and provides free resources and guidance for planning zero waste events, including a Zero Waste Event badge program.
    • Zero Waste Business and Event Resources
      Develops and shares resource libraries and guidance to help restaurants, cafés, small businesses, and event planners transition to zero waste practices, including a Zero Waste Event badge program.
    • Zero Waste Business and Event Resources
      Develops and shares a resource library to help restaurants, cafés, and small businesses transition to zero waste practices, and provides free resources and guidance for planning zero waste events, including a Zero Waste Event badge program.
    • Zero Waste Resource Development
      Develops and shares a resource library to help restaurants, cafés, and small businesses transition to zero waste practices, and provides free resources and guidance for planning zero waste events, including a Zero Waste Event badge program.
  • Recycling & Reuse Education and Advocacy 4 activities
    • Zero Waste Education for Schools
      Provides hands-on lessons, educational activities, and waste-reduction programming like "Strive for 5" to Flagstaff schools, increasing understanding of consumerism, pollution, and solutions. This includes a free, downloadable four-part "Garbology Curriculum" and a partnership with the City of Flagstaff's Water Conservation Division to offer free reusable water bottles and in-school education.
    • Zero Waste Education for Schools
      Offers waste-reduction programming, including "Strive for 5" and "Garbology Curriculum," to Flagstaff schools. These programs provide hands-on lessons on recycling, trash, waste streams, consumerism, pollution, and solutions, with lesson plans developed with professional educators.
    • Zero Waste Education for Schools and Community
      Offers educational programming and resources to Flagstaff schools and the community, including hands-on lessons on recycling and waste streams, the "Strive for 5" waste-reduction program, and a downloadable "Garbology Curriculum." They also partner with the City of Flagstaff to provide free reusable water bottles and in-school education.
    • Zero Waste Education for Schools and Community
      Offers educational programs and resources to Flagstaff schools and the community, including hands-on lessons on recycling and waste streams, the "Strive for 5" waste-reduction program, and a downloadable "Garbology Curriculum." They also partner with the City of Flagstaff to provide free reusable water bottles and in-school education.
  • Composting Equipment Distribution & Education 3 activities
    • Composter Loan Program
      Offers free weekly rental of Lomi countertop composters to Flagstaff schools and community groups through the Lomi Loanie program.
    • Composter Loan Program
      Offers free weekly rental of Lomi countertop composters to Flagstaff schools and community groups through the Lomi Loanie program.
    • Lomi Composter Loan Program
      Offers free weekly rental of Lomi countertop composters to Flagstaff schools and community groups through the Lomi Loanie program.
  • Documentary Film Production for Social Awareness 1 activity
    • Documentary Film Production
      Produced a short documentary titled 'Evidence of Us' that explores the impact of plastic pollution, overconsumption, and waste.
  • Plastic Pellet and Water Bead Advocacy 1 activity
    • Plastic Waste Recapture and Recycling in Mexico
      Partners with residents, NGOs, and businesses to recapture waste plastic from beaches and waterways along 60 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline in Guerrero, Mexico, since 2008. This includes collecting, cleaning, baling, and preparing plastic for transport to certified recycling plants or third-party buyers, having prevented over 500 tons of plastic from polluting the ocean.
  • Garden-Based Education Programs 1 activity
    • Support for Sustainable Agriculture Education
      Supports the educational Saladita Farm Co., a farm-based Saturday school focused on introducing children to sustainability through agriculture and waste reduction, since 2024.
  • Uncategorized 7 activities
    • International Plastic Reduction Grant Funding
      Provides grant funding to support international programs that capture ocean-bound plastic and prepare it for reuse or recycling, such as the "Community Engagement to Reduce Plastics in the Binational Lower Tijuana River Watershed" project by WILDCOAST/COSTASALVAJE.
    • International Plastic Reduction Grant Funding
      Provided grant funding to WILDCOAST/COSTASALVAJE in 2024 to support their "Community Engagement to Reduce Plastics in the Binational Lower Tijuana River Watershed" project and supports WILDCOAST's plastics campaigns.
    • Plastic Waste Recapture and Recycling in Mexico
      Operates a program to recapture waste plastic from beaches and waterways along 60 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline in Guerrero, Mexico, collecting, cleaning, and baling plastic for transport to recycling plants or third-party buyers. Since 2008, this program has prevented over 500 tons of plastic from polluting the Pacific Ocean.
    • Plastic Waste Recapture and Recycling in Mexico
      Operates a program to recapture waste plastic from beaches and waterways along 60 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline in Guerrero, Mexico, collecting, cleaning, and baling plastic for transport to recycling plants or third-party buyers. Since 2008, this program has prevented over 500 tons of plastic from polluting the Pacific Ocean.
    • Support for International Plastic Reduction Projects
      Provides grant funding to support projects focused on reducing plastics in binational watersheds and supports educational initiatives like Saladita Farm Co., which introduces children to sustainability through agriculture and waste reduction.
    • Support for International Plastic Reduction Projects
      Provides grant funding to support projects focused on reducing plastics in binational watersheds and introduces children to sustainability through agriculture and waste reduction at a farm-based Saturday school.
    • Support for Sustainable Agriculture and Education
      Supports the educational Saladita Farm Co., a farm-based Saturday school focused on introducing children to sustainability through agriculture and waste reduction, and WILDCOAST's plastics campaigns.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$71K
Contributions & grants$70K100%
Program service revenue
Investment income
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$60K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$16K
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$55K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$49K
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +9.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARY MCCARTHY ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR 10 $14K
board members · 4
  • ALISON HOLLORAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • ART BABBOTT — BOARD MEMBER
  • JESS MAGGIO — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARIA CAMPBELL — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 28

who they work with

  • #PlasticFreePresident campaign Partner — Convening partner in a campaign to address plastic pollution through presidential policy actions
  • 1% for the Planet Network — Azulita Project is a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner.
  • Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff Funder — Secures, manages, and allocates donor gifts for charitable purposes in Northern Arizona, supporting Azulita Project.
  • Beyond Plastic Partner — Shares Beyond Plastic's "HOLD THE PLASTIC, PLEASE" guide as part of its resource library for restaurants.
  • City of Flagstaff Partner — Partners to offer waste-reduction programming to Flagstaff schools.
  • City of Flagstaff's Water Conservation Division Partner — Partnered since 2021 to offer free reusable water bottles and in-school education programs to Flagstaff classrooms.
  • Debris Free Oceans Partner — Features Debris Free Oceans' Reusables Calculator in its resource library to help businesses estimate cost savings and environmental benefits.
  • East Flagstaff Community Library Partner — Partnered on the Tote-Ally Reusable Bags program.
  • Flagstaff Community Market Partner — Partnered on the Tote-Ally Reusable Bags program.
  • Flagstaff Community Markets Partner — Partners with Azulita to help the Market community shift away from single-use plastic.
  • Flagstaff Main Library Partner — Partnered on the Tote-Ally Reusable Bags program.
  • Flagstaff Mountain Film Partner — Showcases Azulita Project short films at their annual film festival.
  • Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival Partner — Partnered since 2018 to reduce plastic waste at the multi-day event by providing reusable cups, plates, and cutlery.
  • Fratelli Pizza Partner — Supports Azulita's Reusable Rental program by providing access to their commercial dishwasher.
  • GeoFamily Foundation Funder — Long-term supporter whose contributions make Azulita Project's work possible.
  • Mountain Sports Partner — Supports Azulita by selling reusable products that raise money and awareness for plastic recycling.
  • Pine Forest School Partner — Supports Azulita's Reusable Rentals program.
  • QStories Partner — Directed the short documentary 'Evidence of Us'.
  • REGEN Consulting Services Partner — Co-created the Garbology curriculum with Azulita Project
  • Saladita Farm Co. Partner — Supports the educational Saladita Farm Co., a farm-based Saturday school focused on introducing children to sustainability through agriculture and waste reduction.
  • Sustainability Alliance Partner — Partners to bring the Zero Waste Events program to northern Arizona.
  • The Sustainability Alliance Partner — Partners with Azulita to offer their Zero Waste Events program to Northern Arizona.
  • WILDCOAST Partner — Supports WILDCOAST's plastics campaigns.
  • WILDCOAST/COSTASALVAJE Partner — Received grant funding from Azulita Project to support their "Community Engagement to Reduce Plastics in the Binational Lower Tijuana River Watershed" project.
  • Willow Bend Environmental Education Center Partner — Co-developed the Garbology curriculum with Azulita Project
  • Willow Bend Environmental Education Center Partner — Collaborates on the Lomi Loanie program, offering free weekly rental of Lomi countertop composters.
  • Willow Bend Environmental Education Center Partner — Partners to offer waste-reduction programming to Flagstaff schools.
  • Willow Bend Environmental Education Center Partner — Partners with Azulita to offer Strive for 5 in Action and other school-based programs.