Nonprofit · EIN 85-3603760
FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC
Tax-exempt · CORTEZ, CO 81321
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $639,347 | $494,891 | $144,456 | $353,858 | $53,576 | $300,282 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $507,510 | $574,129 | -$66,619 | $223,116 | $67,290 | $155,826 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $383,569 | $276,864 | $106,705 | $262,263 | $40,150 | $222,113 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $656,345
- of which government grants
- $5,000
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $0
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$16,998
- Other revenue
- -$16,998
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $90,187
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $90,187
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $51,763
- Travel
- $54,269
- Program services (functional)
- $431,006
- Management and general (functional)
- $32,392
- Fundraising (functional)
- $31,493
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $223,116
- Total assets, end of year
- $353,858
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $53,576
- Net assets, end of year
- $300,282
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $112,188
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $123,386
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $176,895
- Gross receipts
- $676,175
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 30
- Year formed
- 2020
- State of legal domicile
- CO
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Ramos | Executive Director Trustee or director, Officer, Key employee | 50 | $49,313 |
| Jennie Ramos | Board Chairwoman and PM Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $25,000 |
| Kashon Harrison | Board member and New Mexico PM Trustee or director, Key employee | 20 | $18,000 |
| Joe Ramos | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Jonathan Walck | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Alex Scales | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 3 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Ramos | Executive Director Former | 50 | $58,600 |
| Kashon Harrison | Board member and New Mexico PM Former | 20 | $25,530 |
| Jennie Ramos | Board Chairwoman and PM Former | 10 | $20,000 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 4 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Ramos | Executive Director Trustee or director, Officer, Key employee, Highest-paid employee | 40 | $37,170 |
| Eileen Holiday | Community Liaison AZ Trustee or director, Officer, Key employee | 30 | $15,500 |
| Jennie Ramos | Project Manager Trustee or director, Officer, Key employee | 20 | $14,200 |
| Kashon Harrison | Community Liaison NM Trustee or director, Officer, Key employee | 20 | $10,300 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 77 W MAIN ST STE B, CORTEZ, CO 81321-3133
- In care of
- % JUSTICE RAMOS
- Mailing address (990-N for 2020)
- 77 W Main St, Cortez CO 81321
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- Justice Ramos, 209 w main street, Cortez, CO 81321
- Principal officer (990-N for 2020)
- Justice Ramos, 77 W Main St, Cortez CO 81321
- Signed the 990
- Justice Ramos, Executive Director
- Phone
- (325) 829-0949
- Website
- www.fundamentalneeds.net
Mission
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.
Program accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $259,951
- 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.Expenses $99,773
- 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.Expenses $71,282
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 85-3603760
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2021
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Food, agriculture and nutrition (K30)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $353,858
- Income (IRS master file)
- $676,175
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $639,347 | $494,891 | $353,858 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $507,510 | $574,129 | $223,116 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $383,569 | $276,864 | $262,263 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2020 Officer: Justice Ramos | December 31, 2020 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 85-3603760).
Questions about FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC
- What is the EIN of FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC is 85-3603760.
- Is FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2021.
- Are donations to FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Justice Ramos.
- Who are the officers and directors of FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 6 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $49,313 (Justice Ramos, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $639,347, expenses of $494,891 and total assets of $353,858 at year end.
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All nonprofits in CORTEZ · Colorado · Food, agriculture and nutrition