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THE DONS OF ARIZONA
SCOTTSDALE, AZ · EIN 861006046 · Form 990PF · FY2022 · NTEE B99 · Education · Micro (<$100K) · www.donsofarizona.com
revenue
$20K
expenses
$42K
net assets
$565K
employees
—
profile · synthesized from sources

The Dons of Arizona is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to the study, preservation, and public presentation of Arizona and Southwest history, legends, and cultures. They host monthly meetings and outings, maintain a monument, and run a Discovery Camp for third-grade students.

named programs · 5 · from sources

what they call their work

Adopt-A-Highway
Semi-annual highway cleanup events along Peralta Road and US60.
Discovery Camp
A one-day field trip for Arizona third-grade students in the Superstition Mountain wilderness area, aligned with Arizona Third Grade Social Studies curriculum. Includes stations on Birds of Prey, Gold Panning, Hohokam Rock Art, Sonoran Desert Hike, and Cattle Ranching.
Dons Monument Maintenance
Maintenance of a 90-year-old monument dedicated to the Lost Dutchman, located at the Northeast corner of Apache Trail and Idaho Roads in Apache Junction.
Monthly Destinations
Monthly outings throughout the year for members, families, and friends to visit museums, parks, or historical sites in Arizona.
Monthly Meetings
Monthly gatherings from October to May featuring guest speakers or members presenting on historic events, people, or places in Arizona.
activities · 5 groups

what they do

  • Organized Outdoor Adventure Camps & Trips 2 activities
    • Discovery Camp for Third Graders
      Hosts a free one-day Discovery Camp for third-grade students at Base Camp in the Superstition Mountains, with educational content aligned with Arizona's social studies curriculum.
    • Discovery Camp for Third-Grade Students
      Hosts a free one-day educational Discovery Camp in the Superstition Mountain wilderness area for third-grade students, aligned with Arizona's Social Studies curriculum. The program covers all costs for participating schools and is delivered at Base Camp, a dedicated facility with supporting infrastructure.
  • Organized Community Litter Cleanups 2 activities
    • Highway Cleanup
      Conducts semi-annual highway cleanups, with the next scheduled for February 8th, 2026, at Peralta Rd & US60.
    • Highway Cleanup Initiatives
      Conducts semi-annual highway cleanups, with documented planning for events such as the February 8th, 2026, cleanup at Peralta Rd & US60.
  • Historic Site Recognition & Commemoration 2 activities
    • Historical Preservation and Lore Education
      Studies, preserves, and shares the legends and lore of the American Southwest through long-standing educational and community programs, including maintaining a 90-year-old monument to the Lost Dutchman and hosting historical treks and events.
    • Monument Maintenance
      Maintains a 90-year-old monument dedicated to the Lost Dutchman, located at the Northeast corner of Apache Trail and Idaho Roads in Apache Junction.
  • Retreat & Residency Facility Operations 1 activity
    • Operation of Base Camp Facility
      Operates and maintains Base Camp as a multi-use facility available for educational programs, youth groups (e.g., Boy Scouts, 4H), weddings, church functions, workshops, and gatherings. The site includes restrooms, ramadas of various sizes, an amphitheater, and food service infrastructure.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Facility Rental and Operations
      Provides access to a base camp facility for various events including educational programs, weddings, and workshops, supported by amenities such as restrooms, an open-air amphitheater, and ramadas of varying capacities.
    • Monthly Club Meetings and Educational Programs
      Holds monthly meetings from October to May featuring guest or member presentations on Arizona’s history, people, and places, and organizes regular visits to museums, parks, and historical sites for members and their families.
    • Monthly Club Outings and Meetings
      Plans and conducts monthly club outings and meetings from October to May, featuring presentations by guest speakers or members on historic events, people, or places in Arizona, and organizes visits to museums, parks, or historical sites for members and their families.
    • Preservation and Perpetuation of Southwest Lore
      Studies, preserves, and perpetuates the legends and lore of the Southwest through educational and community programs, a practice maintained for over 75 years.
financials · form 990PF · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$20K
Contributions & grants$3K13%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$10K49%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$42K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out$600
balance sheet
Total assets$565K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$565K
1 years on record · 2022–2022
relationships · 4

who they work with

  • Liberty Wildlife Partner — Provides wildlife education at the Discovery Camp through representatives introducing desert animals.
  • Phoenix YMCA Partner — Was associated with the Phoenix YMCA when founded as the Triangle Club in 1930.
  • Tonto National Forest Partner — Collaborates with the Dons during Discovery Camp, providing a presentation to students at lunch.
  • Tonto National Forest Partner — Delivers a presentation during lunch at the Discovery Camp.