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ORCHARD COMMUNITY LEARNING SERVICE

Phoenix, AZ · EIN 275107074 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE K40 · Food, Agriculture & Nutrition · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.orchardlearningcenter.org
revenue
$294K
expenses
$157K
net assets
$197K
employees
0
volunteers
45
program ratio
95%
mission · from form 990

To facilitate access to physically and emotionally welcoming places where organizations, students, and families gather to learn, garden, develop relationships, and advocate for positive change in food, personal and planetary wellness, and educational opportunities.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Orchard Community Learning Service is dedicated to promoting sustainable food systems and community wellness in the Phoenix Metro area. Through various educational programs and initiatives, they provide access to locally grown produce while fostering connections among community members. Their mission emphasizes environmental stewardship and the importance of healthy food practices.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $46K
    The Orchard built/installed a "Nature Explore Classroom" at Spaces of Opportunity in collaboration with Dimensions Education and the U.S. Forest Service, Spaces of Opportunity operates as a 19 acre urban farm. The Orchard Community Learning Center is one of four 501(c)3 organizations managing the project which includes an incubator farm, community gardens, a farmers market on site, and a washing station/cold storage for farmer use and now the Nature Explore Classroom adjacent to the farmers market.
  2. #2 $38K
    "Farm to Table" encompasses the services and functions needed to maintain the 7 acre property that is the Orchard, staff and farm produce, citrus, and fruit trees, and related expenses to get the produce to local community markets and/or food relief programs in the south Phoenix area. The revenue to support this work comes through individual contributions and revenue through the Orchard's "Our Harvest" operations.
named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Healthy Roots Garden
Promotes locally grown produce and community wellness through educational programs and sustainable practices.
STEA³M Education Programs
Offers hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through gardening and sustainability.
Urban Forestry Project
Installs edible garden beds and engages youth in urban agroforestry to enhance local food access.
activities · 4 clusters

what they do

  • Fresh Produce Distribution for Vulnerable Populations 4 activities
    • Cooperative Produce Program and Farmers Market Participation
      Operates a cooperative produce program that purchases and resells locally grown food, and participates in the Spaces of Opportunity Farmers Market on a monthly basis to promote sustainable food systems.
    • Cooperative Produce Program and Farmers Market Participation
      The organization operates a cooperative produce program that purchases and resells locally grown food at the monthly Spaces of Opportunity Farmers Market, emphasizing the use and promotion of locally grown produce.
    • Regenerative Composting Program
      ORCHARD COMMUNITY LEARNING SERVICE operates a regenerative composting program that supplies compost to community gardens and growers, and sells compost products to Phoenix gardeners.
    • Regenerative Composting Program
      Operates a regenerative composting program that supplies and sells compost products to community gardens and growers in Phoenix.
  • Garden-Based Education Programs 2 activities
    • Community Education and Engagement Programs
      The organization offers workshops, youth camps, fieldwork experiences, and on-site garden coaching in collaboration with local schools and community organizations. They also provide diverse educational opportunities focused on sustainability and community wellness, including installing edible garden beds throughout the Phoenix Valley to engage youth in urban farming.
    • Educational Programs and Workshops
      Offers diverse educational opportunities, including workshops, youth camps, fieldwork experiences, raised bed garden installation, and on-site garden coaching, in collaboration with local schools and community organizations, focusing on sustainability, community wellness, and urban farming.
  • Youth Civic Leadership Development 2 activities
    • Educational Stipends and Internships
      The organization offers educational stipends and paid internships for 30 participants across 3 cohorts of 10 each, this year and next.
    • Educational Stipends and Internships
      Offers educational stipends and paid internships for 30 participants across 3 cohorts of 10 each, this year and next.
  • Uncategorized 5 activities
    • Community Garden Operation
      Operates a community garden space for 15 years, focusing on learning, growth, and nourishment, and promoting regenerative, non-polluting practices inspired by nature and ancestral traditions.
    • Corner Store Development
      Planning to open a new corner store named "Las Tres Hermanas-Ecotienda" that highlights Corn, Squash, and Beans as foundational elements of Meso-American food and nutrition.
    • Corner Store Operation
      The organization is planning to open a new corner store named "Las Tres Hermanas-Ecotienda" which will highlight Corn, Squash, and Beans as foundational elements of Meso-American food and nutrition.
    • Operating a Community Garden
      ORCHARD COMMUNITY LEARNING SERVICE has operated a community garden space for 15 years, focusing on learning, growth, and nourishment, and implements regenerative, non-polluting practices inspired by nature and ancestral traditions.
    • Youth Engagement Facilitation
      Recruited an Americorps VISTA Youth Engagement Facilitator in 2022 to support youth engagement initiatives.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$294K
Contributions & grants$82K28%
Program service revenue$212K72%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$157K
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$41K
Grants paid out$336
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$197K
Cash$28K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$197K
Liquid reserves2.2 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue -1.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Sowan Thai Director 10 $7K
Tawsha Trahan Director/Treasurer 10 $6K
board members · 3
  • Amy Simpson — Director
  • Maria Parra Cano — Director
  • Virginia Angeles Wann — Director/Secretary
relationships · 7

who they work with

  • A.S.U. Partner — Partner in the Greater Phoenix Urban Forestry Accelerator Initiative.
  • LISC Partner — Collaborated with LISC in 2022 on community development initiatives.
  • Phoenix Sustainable Living Partner — Collaborates under the shared identity of Phoenix Sustainable Living - The Orchard.
  • Spaces of Opportunity Partner — Cooperative partner in operating the Our Harvest produce program and hosting a presence at the Spaces of Opportunity Farmers Market.
  • Zeffy Partner — Platform used for fundraising to ensure 100% of donations go to the mission
  • community organizations Partner — Collaborates with community organizations to deliver STEA³M education programs.
  • local schools Partner — Collaborates with local schools to deliver STEA³M education programs.