irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $356KRURAL ENTREPRENEURS LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMIN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM, OUR COMMUNITY-BASED RURAL ENTREPRENEURSLEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM HELPS RURAL ARTISANS GAIN THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES AND LIFT THEIR FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY. OUR LEADERSHIP TRAINING CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED IN OUR PARTNER COMMUNITIES AND COVER TOPICS RANGING FROM FINANCIAL LITERACY TO LEADERSHIP SKILLS, GOAL-SETTING, SELF-ESTEEM AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR RURAL ARTISAN ENTREPRENEURS. OUR IN-HOUSE BUSINESS TRAINING TEAM PROVIDES COURSES IN EACH OF OUR PARTNER COMMUNITIES FOR RURAL ARTISANS, MOST OF WHOM CANNOT READ AND WRITE, AND WHO ARE LEARNING TO NAVIGATE BUSINESS-OWNERSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME.
- #2 $190KCOMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMWE SEEK TO BUILD MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND FACILITATE CULTURAL EXHCANGE BETWEEN ARTISAN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE AMERICAS AND OUR SUPPORTER COMMUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THROUGH THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMM, INDIVIDUALS FROM THE U.S. VISIT COMMUNITIES IN GUATEMALA TO SEE THE IMPACT OF THEIR SUPPORT. LIKEWISE, OUR CURRENT AND PAST STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS ACT AS FAIR TRADE AMBASSADORS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THE U.S. THROUGH SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OTHER AWARENESS-RAISING FUNCTIONS.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Partnerships Program
Facilitates cultural exchange between artisan communities in Guatemala and supporter communities in the U.S., including U.S. visitor trips and ambassadorship activities by staff and volunteers.
Rural Entrepreneurs Leadership Training Program
Provides business training in partner communities covering financial literacy, leadership, goal-setting, and financial management for rural artisans, most of whom are illiterate and new to business ownership.
Women's Leadership & Well Being Empowerment Program
Community-based education program that builds leadership, self-esteem, conflict resolution, and goal-setting skills among rural women artisans with low literacy levels.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
- Facilitating cultural exchange between U.S. supporters and Guatemalan artisan communitiesStrengthens global awareness and fair trade advocacy by organizing visits of U.S. supporters to artisan communities in Guatemala and deploying staff and volunteers as fair trade ambassadors through U.S.-based speaking engagements and community events.
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Women's Empowerment and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Providing community-based leadership and financial literacy training for women artisansOffers ongoing, culturally adapted education programs for rural women artisans in Guatemala, focusing on leadership, financial literacy, goal-setting, self-esteem, conflict resolution, and financial management, designed to be accessible to participants with low literacy levels.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Tripling income of rural artisans through fair trade salesFacilitates sustainable economic development by tripling the local income of partner artisans in Guatemala through the sale of handcrafted goods in international markets.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.91M
Contributions & grants$1.30M68%
Program service revenue$606K32%
Investment income$3K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.91M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$1.03M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$831K
Cash$520K
Investments$16K
Liabilities$706K
Net assets$125K
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +7.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 6
- JACQUELINE VARELA — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- JENNIFER ALI — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- KARAE LISLE — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- MARIA GEENEN — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- MARK SWEDLUND — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- MARTA BEZOARI — BOARD CHAIR
relationships · 3
Who they work with
- Fabiola Beracasa Beckman Partner — Collaborated to create a limited-edition capsule collection of bags and accessories.
- Guatemala Partner — Host country for artisan partner communities where training and economic empowerment programs are implemented
- United States Partner — Source country for supporters, volunteers, and fair trade ambassadors engaged in cultural exchange and awareness activities
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Fair Trade Commerce for Artisan Income Growth 13 orgsmethodology: fair_trade_commerceBy selling handcrafted goods in international markets under fair trade principles, the organization increases artisan income because transparent, equitable trade relationships ensure producers receive a larger share of the final sale value.shared approach: Fair Trade Empowerment →
- Community-Based Adult Education for Capability Buildingmethodology: community-based_adult_education_for_low_literacyBy delivering in-person, culturally appropriate training tailored to low-literacy adult learners, the organization builds entrepreneurial and leadership skills among rural women artisans because accessible pedagogy increases engagement and learning retention in marginalized populations.
- Reciprocal Cultural Exchange for Sustained Engagementmethodology: cultural_exchange_for_mutual_understandingBy fostering two-way cultural exchange between Guatemalan artisan communities and U.S.-based supporters, the organization builds sustained relationships and support because mutual understanding deepens emotional investment and long-term commitment to the mission.