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Iskashitaa Refugee Network
Tucson, AZ · EIN 455067244 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE K99 · Food, Agriculture & Nutrition · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.iskashitaa.org
revenue
$174K
expenses
$201K
net assets
$107K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Iskashitaa Refugee Network creates opportunities to integrate UN refugees into the Southern Arizona community while educating the public and strengthening the local food system, reducing local food waste, and increasing food security. With the help of hundreds of community volunteers and refugees. We have the only year-round gleaning program for backyards. Through our Harvesting Division, we Identify, glean, and redistribute more than 50-75 tons of produce annually This helps a diverse range of under-served families across southern Arizona meet their nutritional needs. Our Culinary Division offers food preservation workshops and food demonstrations featuring an eclectic mix of refugee community groups and cultural tastes. Participants learn international food preservation techniques and gain new understanding of the multi-ethnic significance of food. With twice weekly harvests, edible tree tours, workshops, and presentations to choose from.

profile · synthesized from sources

Iskashitaa Refugee Network reduces food waste and supports refugee integration in Tucson, Arizona by harvesting surplus fruit from local trees. The organization engages refugees and volunteers in gardening, food preservation, and artisanal product creation, with harvested fruit distributed to food-insecure populations or used in its IskaShop social enterprise. Programs foster cultural exchange, language practice, and community building.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Food Preservation Workshop
Monthly workshop teaching canning and food preservation techniques using harvested local fruit; products made are sold in the IskaShop
Harvest Program
Year-round fruit harvesting from private and public trees in Tucson to prevent food waste; harvested fruit distributed to refugees and food-insecure individuals or used in IskaShop products
IskaShop
Social enterprise selling small-batch, artisanal food products made from surplus fruit harvested by refugees and volunteers; supports food waste reduction and funds harvesting operations
Refugee Garden Art Program (RGAP)
Weekly gathering for refugees and volunteers to garden, create art, practice language, and share culture; includes monthly drum circle and Body Mind Art Storytelling Workshop
activities · 8 groups

what they do

  • Food Preservation and Cooking Education 3 activities
    • Food Preservation Workshops
      Hosts monthly Food Preservation Workshops to teach canning and food preservation techniques, as well as knowledge about local food and its uses.
    • Food Preservation Workshops
      Hosts monthly food preservation workshops to educate the public on transforming local food, reduce food waste, and teach canning and food preservation techniques.
    • Food Preservation Workshops
      Hosts monthly food preservation workshops to educate the public on transforming local food, reduce food waste, and teach canning and food preservation techniques.
  • Merit-Based Educational Scholarships 3 activities
    • Refugee Advancement Scholarships
      Offers scholarships to refugees and asylum seekers through the Susan Marie Troutman Refugee Advancement Fund.
    • Refugee Advancement Scholarships
      Offers scholarships to refugees and asylum seekers through the Susan Marie Troutman Refugee Advancement Fund.
    • Scholarships for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
      Offers scholarships to refugees and asylum seekers through the Susan Marie Troutman Refugee Advancement Fund to support their educational advancement.
  • Garden-Based Education Programs 3 activities
    • Refugee Garden Art Program
      Operates the Refugee Garden Art Program weekly, combining gardening, language practice, art creation, and cultural exchange for volunteers and U.N. refugees.
    • Refugee Garden Art Program
      Operates a weekly program at the Iskashitaa garden in Tucson that combines gardening, language practice, art creation, and cultural exchange for volunteers and U.N. refugees.
    • Refugee Garden Art Program
      Operates a weekly program at the Iskashitaa garden in Tucson that combines gardening, language practice, art creation, and cultural exchange for volunteers and U.N. refugees, including an Afro-Caribbean drum circle and a Body Mind Art Storytelling Workshop.
  • Performance-Triggered Food Donation Campaigns 2 activities
    • Fruit Harvesting Activities
      Conducts fruit harvesting activities 2-3 days per week throughout the year to address food insecurity by collecting fruit that would otherwise go to waste.
    • Fruit Harvesting and Distribution
      Conducts fruit harvesting activities 2-3 days per week throughout the year in Tucson, collecting fruit that would otherwise go to waste to address food insecurity.
  • Desert & Native Plant Garden Management 2 activities
    • Tucson Organic Gardener Spring Fair
      Organizes the Tucson Organic Gardener Spring Fair, which features plants, gardening supplies, crafts, and educational resources focused on organic desert gardening.
    • Tucson Organic Gardener Spring Fair
      Organizes the Tucson Organic Gardener Spring Fair featuring plants, gardening supplies, crafts, and educational resources on organic desert gardening.
  • General Volunteer Support Services 2 activities
    • Volunteer Recruitment
      Seeks new volunteers to join its network through an application process to support various organizational activities.
    • Volunteer Recruitment and Management
      Seeks new volunteers through an application process and automatically tracks volunteer hours during weekly harvests.
  • Youth Performing Arts Camps & Classes 1 activity
    • Cultural and Artistic Workshops
      Hosts an Afro-Caribbean drum circle monthly and a Body Mind Art Storytelling Workshop monthly, integrating physical training, body expression, improv theatre, and meditation, as part of its broader programming.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Fruit Harvesting Program
      Conducts fruit harvesting activities 2-3 days per week throughout the year in Tucson, collecting fruit that would otherwise go to waste to address food insecurity.
    • Production and Sale of Food Products
      Produces food products from harvested and donated food during monthly workshops, which are then sold in the organization's online shop.
    • Production and Sale of Food Products
      Produces food products from harvested and donated food during monthly workshops, which are then sold in the organization's online shop.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$174K
Contributions & grants$159K91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$201K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$145K
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$171K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$107K
1 years on record · 2022–2022
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Barbara Eiswerth Executive Director 40 $80K
Amelia Natoli Grants and Development 40 $35K
Renee Girard Program manager 30 $13K
relationships · 4

who they work with

  • KGUN9 Partner — Local media partner that featured the Iskashitaa Food Preservation Workshop.
  • St. Marks Presbyterian Church Partner — Hosts the Iskashitaa garden on its property at 3736 E. 2nd St in Tucson.
  • University of Arizona Partner — Faculty member from the University of Arizona leads the monthly Body Mind Art Storytelling Workshop at the Refugee Garden Art Program.
  • Zero Waste Tucson Partner — Iskashitaa Refugee Network is participating in a "Zero Waste Spring Collection Event" organized by Zero Waste Tucson.