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Purpose Focused Alternative Learning Corporation

Lupton, AZ · EIN 261631692 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE B60 · Education · Micro (<$100K) · purposefocused.org
revenue
$0
expenses
$0
net assets
$19K
employees
0
mission · from form 990

Develop sustainable community education for clean water, food and enviornment.

profile · synthesized from sources

Purpose Focused Alternative Learning is a Native-led nonprofit founded in 2008, dedicated to addressing social, economic, and environmental inequities in Indigenous communities across the Southwest. The organization provides alternative education and workforce development programs, primarily focusing on clean energy and solar technology, to build self-reliance and sustainability. It operates the Sunburst Solar Academy in Gallup, New Mexico, as a training center and community resilience hub.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Navajo Solar Warrior Workforce Program
Trains and certifies Native solar technicians to design, build, install, and maintain solar energy systems, particularly for families living without electricity.
Solar Energy Dome
An insulated space capable of producing electricity and food, demonstrating applications of solar systems for energy autonomy and food sovereignty.
Sunburst Solar Academy
A hands-on solar training and upskilling center in Gallup, New Mexico, also serving as a Community-Based Resilience Hub for collaborative efforts across various sectors.
activities · 7 groups

what they do

  • Off-Grid Solar Energy Access 4 activities
    • Community Solar Installations
      Provides real-world learning opportunities through community-based projects, including installing solar energy systems for families living without electricity. This includes the installation of the Solar Energy Dome at Navajo Nation's Four Corners Monument, which produces electricity and food.
    • Renewable Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure Development
      Advances renewable energy systems and sustainable infrastructure in Tribal communities, with a focus on energy access for families living without electricity and long-term community resilience.
    • Solar Technician Training and Certification
      Offers hands-on solar technician training and certification through the Sunburst Solar Academy in Gallup, New Mexico, preparing individuals for careers in the clean energy workforce. The program includes real-world experience through solar installations for families without electricity.
    • Solar Technician Training and Certification
      Offers a Solar Training & Certification Program, including the Navajo Solar Warrior Workforce Program and Sunburst Solar Academy, to train and certify Native solar technicians in designing, building, installing, and maintaining solar energy systems. This program provides alternative education and workforce development, with over 100 students trained to date.
  • Community Health Access Expansion 2 activities
    • Community Health Extension Program
      Operates a Community Health Extension Program that connects individuals to essential health services and delivers health education in underserved Indigenous communities.
    • Community Health and Elder Support
      Operates a Community Health Extension Program to connect individuals to essential services and promote health education, and provides food, supplies, and support services to Diné elders as part of a community care initiative.
  • Community Innovation Hubs with Co-Working Spaces 1 activity
    • Community-Based Resilience Hub
      Operates a Community-Based Resilience Hub in Gallup, New Mexico, serving as a central space for training, collaboration, and resource-sharing across food, water, energy, housing, health, and economic development sectors. The facility functions as both a workforce training center and a community resilience node.
  • Climate Resilience Capacity Building 1 activity
    • Community-Based Resilience Hub Operation
      Operates a Community-Based Resilience Hub that serves as a central space for training, collaboration, and resource-sharing across food, water, energy, housing, health, and economic development sectors.
  • Environmental Justice Advocacy Campaigns 1 activity
    • Indigenous Community Advocacy and Development
      Engages in housing, advocacy, and social justice initiatives to empower Indigenous communities, advances renewable energy development and sustainable infrastructure, and conducts environmental stewardship and water protection efforts through community-driven advocacy.
  • Experimental Arcology Development 1 activity
    • Solar Energy and Food Production Infrastructure
      Designed and installed the Solar Energy Dome at the Navajo Nation's Four Corners Monument in 2011, an insulated structure that generates electricity and supports food production, demonstrating integrated sustainable infrastructure.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Environmental Stewardship and Water Protection Advocacy
      Conducts community-driven advocacy campaigns focused on environmental stewardship and water protection in Tribal regions.
    • Indigenous Community Empowerment through Housing and Social Justice
      Engages in housing, advocacy, and social justice initiatives aimed at empowering Indigenous communities, with integrated efforts across multiple dimensions of community well-being.
    • Support Services for Diné Elders
      Provides food, supplies, and support services to Diné elders as part of a community care initiative focused on elder well-being and cultural continuity.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$0
Contributions & grants$0
Program service revenue$0
Investment income$0
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$0
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$58K
Cash$58K
Investments$0
Liabilities$39K
Net assets$19K
1 years on record · 2022–2022
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 1
  • JoAnn Armenta — Exec Director
relationships · 14

who they work with

  • Chizh For Cheii Partner — Collaborating partner supporting Diné elders through community care and cultural respect.
  • Dawes Brothers Electric, LLC Partner — Terdell Dawes, Solar Electrician, is on the advisory board.
  • EPA Environmental Justice program Funder — Provided seed funding for the Navajo Solar Warrior Workforce Program.
  • Energy Solutions Partner — Lekha Acharya, Energy Systems Partner Off Grid, is on the advisory board.
  • Navajo Nation Partner — Collaborated on the installation of the Solar Energy Dome at the Four Corners Monument.
  • Nihikeya Partner — Collaborating partner focused on community empowerment and social justice for Indigenous populations.
  • One River One Voice Partner — Collaborating partner engaged in environmental stewardship and water protection advocacy.
  • Red Cloud Renewable Partner — Developed its comprehensive training system modeled after Red Cloud Renewable in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
  • Red Cloud Renewable Partner — John Red Cloud, Solar Training Program Advisor, is on the advisory board.
  • San Juan Collaborative for Health Equity Partner — Collaborating partner advancing public health and resource coordination in the region.
  • Simply Green Solutions Partner — Daane Birchmeier, Solar System Designer, is on the advisory board.
  • Sixth World Solutions Partner — Collaborating partner advancing renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in Tribal communities.
  • Solar Energy International Partner — Johnny Weiss (co-founder) and Chris Turek (VP) are on the advisory board.
  • Sunburst Solar Academy Partner — Delivers solar certification and hands-on technical training through the academy.