2026-04-13T13:58:21-04:00 2025-12-31 990 2025-01-01 853603760 Fundamental Needs Inc FUND 3258290949 77 W Main St Cortez CO 81321 Justice Ramos Executive Director 3258290949 2026-04-14 false 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Justice Ramos 209 w main street Cortez CO 81321 676175 false X www.fundamentalneeds.net X 2020 CO At Fundamental Needs we partner with underserved communities in the United States to address critical gaps in access to clean drinking water electricity education and vocational opportunities. By combining community-led approaches with practical solutions we empower individuals and families to overcome systemic barriers and create lasting change. Our key initiatives include: The Oasis Project: Installed 170 off-grid water systems in the Navajo Nation providing sustainable clean water while training local high school students in vocational skills. Entrepreneurship Program: A business education program at SWOS teaching market research financial literacy and business planning with a final pitch competition and mentorship from Fort Lewis College and CU Boulder. Cortez Makerspace In Development: Piloted workforce training in 3D printing CNC machining and business development while securing partnerships for future certifications and technical training. 7 5 0 30 0 0 513185 656345 0 0 0 0 -5675 -16998 507510 639347 0 0 0 0 0 90187 11680 0 31493 562449 404704 574129 494891 -66619 144456 223116 353858 67290 53576 155826 300282 X At Fundamental Needs we partner with underserved communities in the United States to address critical gaps in access to clean drinking water electricity education and vocational opportunities. By combining community-led approaches with practical solutions we empower individuals and families to overcome systemic barriers and create lasting change. true false 259951 0 0 The Oasis Project addresses the lack of access to clean running water on the Navajo Nation by installing off-grid water systems for families who have lived without water infrastructure for generations. The project provides solar-powered water pumps storage tanks and filtration systems ensuring sustainable and long-term solutions. In addition to direct installations the program integrates workforce development by training and employing high school students to build and install water systems in their own communities. This approach not only expands access to clean water but also empowers youth with technical skills job training and a sense of ownership in solving local challenges. Since its launch the Oasis Project has installed over 170 off-grid water systems. 99773 0 0 The Cortez Makerspace is an initiative designed to provide technical training workforce development and business support for entrepreneurs students and community members. While the full makerspace is awaiting funding and a permanent location Fundamental Needs has actively worked to develop partnerships programming and workforce development opportunities in preparation for its future launch. In 2024 Fundamental Needs hosted the Start. Scale. Pitch! three-part entrepreneurship workshop series? which introduced core business and financial skills critical to future makerspace programming. The series included: Unique Value Proposition April 2 2024: Helping participants identify community needs and develop business ideas with a sustainable advantage. Finance and Profitability April 9 2024: Covering financial literacy smart investments and negotiation strategies. Creating a Pitch Deck April 16 2024: Teaching participants how to build a compelling pitch deck and polish their presentation skills. Beyond these workshops Fundamental Needs has been developing workforce training programs for the makerspace which will include: Technical training in 3D printing CNC machining and laser cutting. Workshops on product development branding and small business operations. Collaborations with Fort Lewis College Pueblo Community College and local businesses to offer certifications and hands-on learning opportunities. While the full project is still in development these efforts have helped build momentum establish key partnerships and ensure that workforce training remains a priority for the makerspaces long-term success. 71282 0 0 Fundamental Needs Entrepreneurship Program provides hands-on business education to high school students equipping them with problem-solving skills financial literacy and real-world experience in launching a business. The program is currently offered at Southwest Open School SWOS and served an average of 12 students per class in 2024. Students engage in market research branding business planning and public speaking culminating in a final pitch competition where they present their business ideas to local entrepreneurs community leaders and investors. The program has also led to partnerships with Fort Lewis College CU Boulder and local businesses expanding mentorship and networking opportunities for students interested in entrepreneurship and workforce development. 431006 true true false false false false false false false false true false false true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false true 0 0 0 false false false false false true false false 0 false false false false false false false X 7 5 true false false false false false false true false false false true true true true true true false false false CO AZ NM X X X Justice Ramos 3258290949 14881 County Rd 26 Dolores CO 81323 Justice Ramos Executive Director 50.00 0.00 X X X 49313 0 0 Jennie Ramos Board Chairwoman and PM 10.00 0.00 X X 25000 0 0 Kashon Harrison Board member and New Mexico PM 20.00 0.00 X X 18000 0 0 Joe Ramos Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jonathan Walck Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Alex Scales Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 92313 0 0 0 false false false 0 0 18100 0 5000 633245 41400 656345 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19830 18100 36828 -16998 0 -16998 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 639347 0 0 -16998 90187 64425 18331 7431 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 89828 72463 1915 15450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12622 12622 0 0 0 0 0 0 12640 8765 3875 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51763 51763 0 0 54269 48842 5427 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9556 8600 956 0 Program supplies and equipment for Oasis and Makerspace projects 120848 120848 0 0 Participant food stipends for program activities 17563 17563 0 0 Payroll taxes associated with employee compensation 14721 11777 1472 1472 Grant writing 7140 0 0 7140 13754 13338 416 0 494891 431006 32392 31493 46578 153424 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 55409 64871 0 0 137570 25382 121129 112188 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23375 223116 353858 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 67290 53576 0 0 0 0 67290 53576 X 53839 123386 101987 176895 155826 300281 223116 353857 144456 0 0 0 0 0 X false false false X 44000 141000 359852 448249 670157 1663258 44000 141000 359852 448249 670157 1663258 241102 1422156 0 0 0 5880 0 5880 1669138 0 0.852 0.00 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 22670 0 22670 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 114900 0 25382 89518 0 0 0 0 112188 Lease to own building deposit towards the purchase in two years 23375 23375 Fourth of July 29412 15600 13812 0 0 0 2492 16493 14140 29412 15600 13812 0 0 0 2492 16493 14140 33125 -19313 X Solar panels 1 41400 Quoted value 0 false true false FormAndLineReferenceDesc: Part I, Column(b) 25.Other-Number Of Item Contributed: 100 Doing Business As Names Fundamental Needs Part III, line 2 In 2024 Fundamental Needs piloted its Social Entrepreneurship Program providing students with hands-on experience in business fundamentals problem-solving and real-world applications. A key outcome was the student-led conceptualization of the Cortez Makerspace a project designed to provide technical training workforce development and business support for the community. While full implementation of the makerspace is pending funding Fundamental Needs has established partnerships with Fort Lewis College Pueblo Community College and local businesses to lay the groundwork for future workforce development programs. In the interim limited technical training and entrepreneurship workshops have been introduced ensuring progress toward the long-term vision. Part VI, Line 2 | Employee:, Relationship:, Employee:| Justice Ramos, Family Relationship, Jennie Ramos| Justice Ramos, Family Relationship, Joe Ramos| Jennie Ramos, Family Relationship, Joe Ramos| Part VI, Section A, Line 8b Fundamental Needs documents the activities of its governing body through written meeting minutes and records of decisions made throughout the year. Board meetings are held regularly and key actions including financial oversight and organizational decisions are recorded and maintained for organizational records. Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The Executive Director and board chairwoman review the draft Form 990 for accuracy and completeness. The draft is then circulated to all voting board members for review before submission. Feedback is collected and any necessary corrections are made prior to filing. Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The organization maintains a written Conflict of Interest Policy requiring all officers directors employees and contractors to disclose actual or potential conflicts. Disclosures are reviewed by the board and documented in a Conflict Register. Appropriate measures-such as recusal from decisions reassignment of duties or approval with safeguards-are implemented based on severity and risk. The policy is reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with best practices. Part VI, Section C, Line 19 The organization makes its Form 990 and relevant governance documents available to the public via its public profile on GuideStar https: www.guidestar.org profile 85-3603760 and provides additional documentation upon request. Part VII, List Of Officers | Employee Name:, Description:| Justice Ramos, During the tax year compensation to Justice Ramos totaled $49,313. Of this amount $12,000 was paid as an independent contractor Form 1099 during the early part of the year. Upon further review of compensation structure and applicable IRS guidelines the organization transitioned Justice Ramos to employee W-2 status for the remainder of the year. This change was made to ensure proper classification and compliance with IRS standards. All subsequent compensation was paid through payroll and reported as W-2 wages. The organization continues to evaluate and strengthen its payroll and classification practices to ensure full compliance.| Jennie Ramos, Jennie Ramos serves as Board Chairwoman and also provides administrative and program management support to the organization as an independent contractor. During the tax year she received $25,000 in compensation for these contracted services. Her compensated work is separate from her board responsibilities and consists of advisory and administrative support. She does not maintain set hours and operates independently in determining how work is performed. The organization evaluates compensation to ensure it is reasonable and consistent with the services provided.| Kashon Harrison, Kashon Harrison serves as a member of the Board of Directors and also provides program management services as the New Mexico Project Manager. During the tax year he received $18,000 in compensation for services performed in his capacity as a contractor. His compensated work is separate from his role as a board member and consists of managing and implementing program activities. He operates independently in carrying out his responsibilities and does not maintain fixed hours set by the organization. The organization reviews compensation to ensure it is reasonable and aligned with services provided.| Part IX,line IX | Explanation:| The organization utilizes independent contractors to support program operations including water system installations program delivery and administrative support. Contractors maintain control over their schedules and methods of work. The organization continues to evaluate classification practices and is implementing enhanced documentation and internal controls to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines.