MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION

Financials

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-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

2570 N 1ST ST 2ND FLR 1006, SAN JOSE, CA 95131-1035

Signed the 990-EZ

Aaron Hebert, Secretary

Phone

(650) 352-6321

Website

www.muwekmafoundation.org

California records

California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 88-0910186 or by the name MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION.

Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers

Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)

Secretary of State, bizfile Online

Corporation status, entity number, agent for service

Franchise Tax Board

Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)

Mission

Founded in 2021, we collaborate with Muwekma tribal members and allies to advance the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe's goals of resilience, cultural revitalization, community education, and efforts for access, ownership, and stewardship of ancestral lands.

Program accomplishments

• Cultural Revitalization: In 2024, MOPF supported Muwekma in appointing Tribal member Joey Torres as Culture Bearer to lead efforts in revitalizing and preserving Muwekma Ohlone cultural traditions, including mentoring and guiding tribal members in traditional practices such as song, dance, and regalia-making. Intertribal Cultural Exchange and Ceremonial Travel Joey participated in ceremonial journeys across Indigenous territories, including Shingle Springs, Nisqually, Round Valley, and Bear Ceremony. These exchanges involved singing, prayer, fishing, and cultural sharing with other tribal communities. Intertribal exchange is vital to Muwekma cultural revitalization. It restores relationships disrupted by colonization, reaffirms tribal presence, and ensures that songs, teachings, and ceremonial protocols are carried forward. Joey's participation strengthens kinship ties and offers youth and families direct access to living culture. To support this work, the Foundation offered travel stipends to tribal members traveling for ceremony, land stewardship, and community events. Reimbursement honored the time, energy, and cultural leadership of those involved. Mexica New Year Co-Hosting and Túupentak Construction at Emma Prusch Park The Foundation supported Muwekma in co-hosting the annual Mexica New Year celebration in partnership with local Indigenous organizers. This multi-day event included ceremonial dances, traditional foods, youth programming, and intergenerational teachings. Staff supported logistics, communications, and cultural protocol coordination, ensuring respectful representation and community engagement. The event welcomed an estimated 300-500 community members (Indigenous and non-indigenous), strengthening visibility and solidarity among Indigenous peoples in the region. As part of the celebration, the Foundation supported the construction of a tuupentak (sweat lodge) at Emma Prusch Park. Joey led the design and building process, integrating traditional knowledge and community labor. The tuupentak served as a sacred site for prayer, purification, and cultural grounding during Mexica New Year. Created and Performed Weekly Tribal-Only Cultural Education Programs The Foundation supported three concurrent weekly programs exclusively for Muwekma tribal members, each designed to strengthen cultural identity, language, and historical understanding through intergenerational learning. Chochenyo Language Classes (Wednesdays via Zoom): Led by Bernadette Quiroz, Language Revitalization Chair, this online class welcomes tribal members from age four through Elders. Participants learn Chochenyo vocabulary, pronunciation, and ceremonial phrases, contributing to the restoration of the Tribe's ancestral language. The program fosters connection across generations and supports long-term language reclamation. Muwekma University (Mondays via Zoom): Facilitated by Stanford Professor and MOPF Board Member Mike Wilcox, this weekly class explores Indigenous history in the United States, with a focus on the first Spanish contact with Muwekma Ohlone ancestors. While open to all ages, current attendance includes tribal members ages 12 and up. The program deepens historical understanding and affirms Muwekma presence in broader narratives of resistance, survival, and continuity. Ceremonial Dance Classes (Sundays in San Jose): Led by Culture Bearer Joey Iyolopixtli Torres, this in-person class serves tribal members from age four through their 50s. Participants learn ceremonial songs, dances, and regalia crafting. The class offers embodied cultural practice, strengthens kinship ties, and prepares youth to carry forward ceremonial responsibilities. Together, these programs support cultural revitalization by offering consistent opportunities for tribal members to learn, practice, and reclaim Muwekma lifeways in community. Supported Language Revitalization Chair Bernadette Qurioz to lead efforts in preserving, revitalizing, and promoting the Chochenyo language, including developing language learning resources and programs for tribal members. The Foundation supported Bernadette Quiroz, Language Revitalization Chair, in leading efforts to preserve, revitalize, and promote the Chochenyo language for Muwekma tribal members. This work included curriculum development, resource creation, and weekly instruction. In Spring 2024, Bernadette established a partnership with 7000 Languages, a nonprofit dedicated to Indigenous language learning. Through this collaboration, tribal members gained access to a custom Chochenyo curriculum supported by linguistics and IT teams. Members can now log in through a unique link, create accounts, and take self-paced Chochenyo courses online. Currently, the platform offers 15 structured assignments, designed to support foundational learning and cultural connection. Each Wednesday, Bernadette hosts a live Zoom class serving 20-25 tribal members weekly, ranging from young children to Elders. Participants ask questions from the online lessons, play language games, and build deeper relationships through shared learning. The program fosters intergenerational connection and supports the restoration of Muwekma identity through language.
  Expenses $41,077 · grants $25,000
• Community Education: The Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation expanded its Community Education Program in 2024 to increase public awareness and understanding of Muwekma history, language, and culture through land acknowledgements, presentations, and tabling at partner events. Program Leadership and Tribal Capacity: Julie Dominguez was appointed Chair of Community Education and recruited Corina Arellano plus three additional tribal members to lead outreach. Together they staffed presentations, land acknowledgements, and tabling across schools, universities, libraries, cultural centers, civic forums, and public events. The Foundation supported in the following ways 1) Provided tribal member stipends to compensate participants for time, travel, and cultural labor. 2) Purchased tabling supplies (table covers, banners, display materials) and printed brochures and handouts for distribution. 3) Managed invoicing, event coordination, scheduling, and follow-up. 4) Supplied briefing notes and event-specific guidance to support presenters and ensure consistent, audience-appropriate messaging. 2024 activity and impact: Formal requests received: 82 Requests completed: 47 Estimated total audience served by completed events: ~3,000-3,500 people. Audience-type breakdown: K-12 schools and youth assemblies: 12 events; per-event audiences ranged ~20-600. Colleges and university classes/events: 8 events; typical audiences 20-300. Libraries, museums, and cultural centers: 9 events; typical audiences 20-300. Health, civic, nonprofit, and workplace events (including Pride Parade and conferences): 10 events; typical audiences 50-2,000. Small community gatherings and invitational/intertribal events: 8 events; typical audiences 12-100
  Expenses $18,990
• Land Access: In 2024, the Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation supported strategic and ceremonial land access efforts across the Bay Area. This included light coordination around potential access to SFPUC lands in the Sunol region, contributing to early-stage planning for future Tribal Village development. We also facilitated cultural access to the Guadalupe River Trail area, enabling Culture Bearer Joseph Iyolopixtli Torres to gather willow branches for Tupentak ceremonial use-an effort deeply tied to cultural revitalization and intergenerational learning. Additionally, we partnered with the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy to support native plant consultation and cultural education, strengthening relationships with local ecological stewards. These activities reflect our commitment to restoring Indigenous presence on ancestral lands through respectful collaboration, cultural continuity, and long-term visioning,
  Expenses $16,325
• Other
  Expenses $9,725

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.

IRS record

EIN

88-0910186

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

2022

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Arts, culture and humanities (A19)

Assets (IRS master file)

$100,997

Income (IRS master file)

$69,415

Filing history

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 88-0910186).

Questions about MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION

What is the EIN of MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION?

The employer identification number (EIN) of MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION is 88-0910186.

Is MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2022.

Are donations to MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION 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 MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2024.

Who are the officers and directors of MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION?

The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 7 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.

How much revenue does MUWEKMA OHLONE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION have?

On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $69,415, expenses of $193,129 and total assets of $100,997 at year end.

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