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SONORAN DESERT CONFERENCE CENTER

AJO, AZ · EIN 475559774 · Form 990 · FY2020 · NTEE C11 · Environment · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.sonorancc.com
revenue
$609K
expenses
$479K
net assets
$167K
employees
0
volunteers
10
program ratio
96%
mission · from form 990

SONORAN DESERT CONFERENCE CENTER PROVIDES MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH A PLACE TO GATHER FOR GROUP ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, HISTORICAL EVENTS, PUBLIC GATHERINGS, COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND INDIVIDUALS. THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES LODGING TO VISITORS OF THE AJO, ARIZONA REGION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center is a nonprofit organization located in Ajo, Arizona, that provides a unique retreat experience focused on community, creativity, and connection. It serves visitors and local communities by promoting sustainable tourism and supporting local artists and entrepreneurs within the biologically rich Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region.

named programs · 2 · from sources

what they call their work

Creative Campus Activities
Supports local artists and entrepreneurs through workshops, events, and community engagement initiatives.
Group Retreats
Offers a calm environment for corporate, nonprofit, and creative gatherings, accommodating groups from 10 to 250 guests.
activities · 8 groups

what they do

  • Shared Commercial Kitchen Services 7 activities
    • Catering Services
      Provides customized catering services for groups, including up to three meals a day, accommodating various tastes, price points, and special diets. Catering is supported by the commercial kitchen and local culinary partners specializing in Southwestern, Northern Mexican, and Tohono O'odham Native American cuisines.
    • Catering and Commercial Kitchen Services
      Operates a fully equipped commercial kitchen to provide customized catering services for groups, including up to three meals a day with options for Southwestern, Northern Mexican, and Tohono O'odham Native American cuisines. The kitchen is also rented to chefs, food entrepreneurs, organizations, and local residents for preparing food, hosting cooking workshops, and creating value-added food products. Additionally, it offers house-prepared frozen meals and breakfast options for guests.
    • Commercial Kitchen Operation and Rental
      Operates a fully equipped commercial kitchen that supports catering, events, and community programming. The kitchen is also rented to chefs, food entrepreneurs, organizations, and local residents for preparing food, creating value-added products, and hosting cooking workshops and events like "Tasty Tuesdays."
    • Commercial Kitchen Operations and Catering Services
      Operates a fully equipped commercial kitchen that supports catering for events and groups, offering customized menus with local culinary specializations. The kitchen also provides house-prepared frozen meals and breakfast options for guests, and is available for rent to chefs, food entrepreneurs, organizations, and residents for food preparation, workshops, and community meals like "Tasty Tuesdays."
    • Commercial Kitchen Operations and Catering Services
      Operates a fully equipped commercial kitchen that supports catering for events and groups, offering customized menus with local culinary specializations. The kitchen is also rented to chefs, food entrepreneurs, organizations, and local residents for preparing food, creating value-added products, and hosting cooking workshops and community meals like "Tasty Tuesdays."
    • Operate and Rent Commercial Kitchen Facilities
      Operates a fully equipped commercial kitchen that supports catering, events, and community programming. The kitchen is available for rent to chefs, food entrepreneurs, organizations, and locals for shared meals, special events, creating value-added food products, and hosting cooking workshops, retreats, and demonstrations, including community meals like "Tasty Tuesdays."
    • Rent commercial kitchen space for community and entrepreneurial use
      Rents its fully equipped commercial kitchen to chefs, food entrepreneurs, local residents, and organizations for events, value-added food production, cooking workshops, retreats, and community gatherings such as Tasty Tuesdays.
  • Marriage Preparation & Wedding Support 4 activities
    • Host and support weddings and private celebrations
      Hosts weddings of varying sizes, from intimate ceremonies to large celebrations, using indoor and outdoor event spaces. Provides planning support for ceremonies, receptions, and wedding weekend activities.
    • Wedding Planning Support
      Provides planning support for couples organizing ceremonies, receptions, and wedding weekend activities at the center.
    • Wedding Planning Support
      Provides planning support for couples organizing ceremonies, receptions, and wedding weekend activities at the center.
    • Wedding Planning Support
      Provides planning support for couples organizing ceremonies, receptions, and wedding weekend activities at the center.
  • Meeting & Conference Room Rental 4 activities
    • Offer flexible meeting and gathering spaces for groups
      Provides flexible event and meeting spaces including classrooms, an auditorium, courtyards, outdoor areas, and shared dining spaces that accommodate groups from 10 to 250 guests. Spaces are available for retreats, workshops, and community events as part of the Curley Creative Campus.
    • Providing Event and Meeting Spaces
      Offers flexible meeting and gathering spaces, including meeting rooms, classrooms, an auditorium, presentation spaces, courtyards, and outdoor areas, capable of accommodating groups ranging from 10 to 250 guests for various events, including weddings.
    • Providing Event and Meeting Spaces
      Offers flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and gathering spaces, including classrooms, an auditorium, presentation areas, courtyards, and shared dining spaces, capable of accommodating groups ranging from 10 to 250 guests for various events, including weddings.
    • Providing Event and Meeting Spaces
      Offers flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and gathering spaces, including classrooms, an auditorium, presentation areas, courtyards, and shared dining spaces, to accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 250 guests for various events, including weddings and community programming.
  • Cultural Heritage Promotion & Tourism Development 3 activities
    • Community Engagement and Documentation
      Produces videos showcasing community gatherings, creative programs, and desert landscapes at its facilities, and hosts special community meals like "Tasty Tuesdays" to connect guests with artists, neighbors, and Ajo's creative life.
    • Community Engagement and Documentation
      Produces videos showcasing community gatherings, creative programs, and the local desert landscape at the Curley School Creative Campus and Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center.
    • Community Engagement and Documentation
      Produces videos showcasing community gatherings, creative programs, and the desert landscape at its facilities, connecting guests with local artists and the creative life of Ajo.
  • On-Site Community Amenities for Residential Facilities 2 activities
    • Guest Amenities and Support
      Offers a range of amenities and support services for guests, including 24/7 on-site management, private bathrooms, comfortable seating and workspaces, climate control, coffeemakers, complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site parking, keyless entry, and access to courtyards, gardens, and shared common areas like Coyote Commons, which features a gift shop and coffee/tea lounge.
    • Maintain and operate community and guest amenities
      Operates shared spaces including Coyote Commons (front desk, gift shop, coffee/tea lounge), courtyards, gardens, and common areas with original murals and regional artwork. Provides 24/7 on-site management, keyless entry, and on-site parking to support guest comfort and community engagement.
  • Workplace and Institutional Dining Services 2 activities
    • Prepared Meal Sales
      Offers house-prepared frozen meals for purchase by guests on campus and provides breakfast options for guests who order in advance.
    • Sell prepared food and provide guest meal options
      Offers house-prepared frozen meals for purchase and provides breakfast options for guests who order in advance, including a continental breakfast in shared dining areas.
  • Residential Lodging Facilities 1 activity
    • Operate a nonprofit inn and guest lodging facility
      Provides overnight lodging for up to 60 guests across 22 guest rooms and multiple suite types, including family suites, dog-friendly rooms, and accessible accommodations. Guest rooms feature private bathrooms, climate control, natural light, and amenities such as coffeemakers and Wi-Fi.
  • Uncategorized 8 activities
    • Host and Cater Events
      Hosts and caters events for groups ranging from 10 to 250 guests, including weddings and other gatherings, utilizing indoor and outdoor event spaces. The center provides planning support, customized catering with local chefs specializing in regional cuisines, and offers up to three meals a day, including house-prepared frozen meals and advance-ordered breakfasts for guests.
    • Operate a Conference Center and Inn
      Operates a conference center and inn in Ajo, Arizona, within the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region, providing overnight lodging for up to 60 guests in 22 guest rooms and various suites, including accessible and dog-friendly options. The facility, renovated from a former elementary school annex, offers amenities such as private bathrooms, climate control, Wi-Fi, and 24/7 on-site management.
    • Operating a Nonprofit Inn and Conference Center
      Operates a nonprofit inn and conference center in Ajo, Arizona, within the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region, which was renovated and reopened in 2011 from a former elementary school annex. The facility provides overnight lodging for up to 60 guests in 22 guest rooms, including specialized suites and accessible rooms, and offers various amenities such as private bathrooms, climate control, Wi-Fi, and on-site management.
    • Operating a Nonprofit Inn and Conference Center
      Operates a nonprofit inn and conference center in Ajo, Arizona, within the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region, which was renovated and reopened in 2011 from a former elementary school annex. The facility provides overnight lodging for up to 60 guests in 22 guest rooms, including specialized suites and accessible rooms, and offers various amenities such as private bathrooms, climate control, Wi-Fi, and on-site management.
    • Operating a Nonprofit Inn and Conference Center
      Operates a nonprofit inn and conference center in Ajo, Arizona, within the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region, which was renovated and reopened in 2011 from a former elementary school annex. The facility provides overnight lodging for up to 60 guests in 22 guest rooms, including specialized suites and accessible rooms, and offers various amenities such as private bathrooms, climate control, Wi-Fi, and on-site management.
    • Operating a Nonprofit Inn and Lodging
      Operates a nonprofit inn with 22 guest rooms, including specialized suites (Gallery Suites, Kitchenette Rooms, Mesquite Family Suite) and wheelchair accessible rooms, providing overnight lodging for up to 60 guests in the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region. The inn was renovated and reopened in 2011 from a former elementary school annex.
    • Provide customized catering and food services
      Offers customized catering using local chefs specializing in Southwestern, Northern Mexican, and Tohono O'odham Native American cuisines. Caters up to three meals a day for groups, with menus tailored to various tastes, price points, and special diets, supported by a fully equipped commercial kitchen.
    • Providing Event and Meeting Spaces
      Offers flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and gathering spaces, including classrooms, an auditorium, presentation areas, courtyards, and shared dining spaces, to accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 250 guests for various events, including weddings.
financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$609K
Contributions & grants$18K3%
Program service revenue$591K97%
Investment income$60%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$479K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$245K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$336K
Cash$328K
Investments$0
Liabilities$169K
Net assets$167K
Liquid reserves8.2 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

board members · 5
  • ALFREDO SOTO — DIRECTOR
  • GARY NABHAN — DIRECTOR
  • JIM REIMAN — VP/SECRETARY
  • MARIBEL REYES — DIRECTOR
  • TRACY TAFT — PRESIDENT/TR
relationships · 7

who they work with

  • Curley Creative Campus Partner — The commercial kitchen is located on and supports programming for the campus.
  • Curley School Creative Campus Partner — The Inn is an integral part of the Curley School Creative Campus, a living, working space that includes artists, residents, and creative organizations.
  • El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve Partner — Works closely with this neighboring binational biosphere reserve in Sonora, Mexico.
  • Kitt Peak National Observatory Partner — Offers telescope tours and night-sky programs about an hour east of Ajo.
  • Local vendors in Ajo Partner — Collaborates with local vendors in Ajo to support wedding events.
  • UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program Network — The Sonoran Desert Biosphere Region is part of this international program.
  • Vendors in Phoenix and Tucson Partner — Connects couples with vendors in Phoenix and Tucson who deliver services to Ajo for weddings.