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Desert Survivors Inc

Tucson, AZ · EIN 860420538 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE J30Z · Employment · Medium ($1M-$10M) · desertsurvivors.org
revenue
$1.8M
expenses
$1.8M
net assets
$1.3M
employees
90
program ratio
86%
mission · from form 990

To provide dignified paid employment and training to adults with intellectual developmental disabilities.

profile · synthesized from sources

Desert Survivors Inc provides paid employment and training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a retail native plant nursery in Tucson, Arizona. The organization integrates horticultural therapy into its workforce development model, offering participants hands-on experience in plant propagation, landscaping, and nursery operations. Founded in 1971, it serves Pima County and previously provided early intervention services for children until 2014.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Landscaping Services
Contracted landscaping and maintenance services for Tucson Residence Foundation, Pima County parks, Johnny Gibson’s market, and private condo communities, supporting employee training in horticulture
Memorial Garden
On-site contemplative space where donors can install plaques or photographs in memory of loved ones, supported by annual donations of $1,000 or more
Native Plant Nursery
Retail and production nursery growing regionally native plants, providing integrated job training and horticultural therapy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Public Seed Library
Community-accessible seed library launched to promote native plant propagation and gardening education, open to the public on nursery days
activities · 7 clusters

what they do

  • Desert-Adapted Plant Sales and Nursery Memberships 7 activities
    • Hosting seasonal native plant sales
      Hosts three seasonal plant sales annually, offering a selection of desert-adapted plants, with discounts for nursery members.
    • Hosting seasonal native plant sales
      Hosts three seasonal plant sales annually, offering a selection of desert-adapted plants, with discounts for nursery members.
    • Hosting seasonal native plant sales
      Hosts three seasonal plant sales annually, offering a selection of desert-adapted plants, with nursery members receiving a 10% discount.
    • Nursery membership program
      Offers an annual nursery membership for $100, which includes a 20% discount on all plant purchases and a 10% discount during seasonal plant sales, along with two newsletters distributed annually in Spring and Fall.
    • Offering a nursery membership program
      Offers an annual nursery membership for $100 that provides members with a 20% discount on all plant purchases and a 10% discount at seasonal plant sales. Members also receive two newsletters annually.
    • Offering a nursery membership program
      Offers an annual nursery membership for $100 that provides members with a 20% discount on all plant purchases and distributes two newsletters annually.
    • Offering a nursery membership program
      Offers an annual nursery membership for $100 that provides members with a 20% discount on all plant purchases and a 10% discount at seasonal plant sales. Members also receive two newsletters annually.
  • Supported Employment for People with Disabilities 4 activities
    • Employment and training program for adults with disabilities
      Provides integrated jobs and training opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a nursery program, offering retail and production tasks to prepare participants for competitive employment.
    • Providing integrated employment and training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
      Provides integrated jobs and training opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a nursery program, offering a variety of retail and production nursery tasks to prepare them for competitive integrated employment.
    • Providing integrated employment and training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
      Provides integrated jobs and training opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a nursery program, offering a variety of retail and production nursery tasks to prepare them for competitive integrated employment.
    • Providing integrated employment and training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
      Provides integrated jobs and training opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a nursery program, offering a variety of retail and production nursery tasks to prepare them for competitive integrated employment.
  • Native Landscaping & Xeriscape Installation 4 activities
    • Landscaping and grounds maintenance services
      Provides landscaping and maintenance services for external organizations and public spaces, including the Tucson Residence Foundation, Santa Cruz River Park, Chuck Huckleberry Loop, Johnny Gibson's Market, and a gated condo community in Central Tucson, with a focus on xeriscaping and native, low-water-use plants.
    • Providing landscaping and maintenance services
      Provides landscaping services to organizations like Tucson Residence Foundation and maintains public spaces such as the Santa Cruz River Park and Chuck Huckleberry Loop. Also assists residential communities with xeriscape transitions.
    • Providing landscaping and maintenance services
      Provides landscaping services to organizations like Tucson Residence Foundation and maintains public spaces such as the Santa Cruz River Park and Chuck Huckleberry Loop. Also assists residential communities with xeriscape transitions.
    • Providing landscaping and maintenance services
      Provides landscaping services to organizations like Tucson Residence Foundation and maintains public spaces such as the Santa Cruz River Park and Chuck Huckleberry Loop, as well as private properties, assisting with xeriscape transitions.
  • Memorial Tribute Programs with Engraved Markers 4 activities
    • Maintaining a Memorial Garden
      Facilitates the creation of memorials for lost loved ones in a permanent Memorial Garden on their property for an annual donation of at least $1,000, and maintains the garden with a circular path and natural seating for contemplation.
    • Maintaining a Memorial Garden
      Maintains a Memorial Garden with a circular path and natural seating for contemplation and relaxation, and facilitates the creation of memorials for lost loved ones for an annual donation of at least $1,000.
    • Maintaining a Memorial Garden
      Facilitates the creation of memorials for lost loved ones in a permanent Memorial Garden on their property for an annual donation of at least $1,000, and maintains the garden with a circular path and natural seating.
    • Memorial Garden program
      Maintains a permanent Memorial Garden on-site with a circular path and natural seating for contemplation, offering families the opportunity to create memorials for lost loved ones through an annual donation of at least $1,000.
  • Native and Specialty Plant Nursery Operations 4 activities
    • Nursery operations and plant sales
      Operates a nursery that grows and sells locally and regionally native plants, offering the largest selection of native plants in Arizona, with most plants grown on-site across a 4.3-acre property. Hosts three seasonal plant sales annually and expanded operations to include Sunday hours from 8am to 4pm.
    • Operating a native plant nursery
      Operates a plant nursery that exclusively sells locally and regionally native plants, offering the largest selection in the state, with most grown on its 4.3-acre site. The nursery has expanded operating hours to include Sundays.
    • Operating a native plant nursery
      Operates a plant nursery that exclusively sells locally and regionally native plants, offering the largest selection in the state, with most grown on its 4.3-acre site. The nursery has expanded operating hours to include Sundays.
    • Operating a native plant nursery
      Operates a plant nursery that exclusively sells locally and regionally native plants, offering the largest selection in the state, with most grown on its 4.3-acre site. The nursery has expanded operating hours to include Sundays.
  • Seed Library and Distribution Program 1 activity
    • Public environmental education and engagement initiatives
      Supports community engagement with native plants and sustainability through a public seed library and a restarted plant propagation program in 2025.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Staff training and teaching tool development
      Developed staff trainings and improved teaching tools in 2025 to enhance program delivery and workforce capacity.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$1.77M
Contributions & grants$193K11%
Program service revenue$1.58M89%
Investment income$-3K-0%
Other revenue$1
expenses
Total expenses$1.78M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$1.26M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.48M
Cash$501K
Investments$250K
Liabilities$132K
Net assets$1.34M
Liquid reserves5.0 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue -15.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Karen Willson Executive Director 40 $83K
board members · 5
  • Chris Carraher — Vice President
  • Doug Granmo — Treasurer
  • Jennifer Nosek — Director
  • Stan Mazenek — Secretary
  • Tom Velde — President
relationships · 3

who they work with

  • State of Arizona Government — Refers adults with I/DD for employment and provides a contract that pays salaries for nursery workers trained as Direct Support Professionals.
  • Tohono O’odham Nation Partner — Worked with families in the Tohono O’odham Nation as part of its early intervention program.
  • Tucson Residence Foundation Partner — Provides landscaping services to their main office and two group homes.