Fundamental Needs provides communities with the resources necessary to become their own solution.
Fundamental Needs is designed to go into communities with questions, not solutions. Instead of coming with a one size fits all solution, we ask the community what it is that they need most and start to develop our plans from there.
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Updates
This year, Fundamental Needs continues expanding our impact across water access, workforce development, and community-driven opportunity:
✅ Oasis Project: We have now installed 220+ off-grid water systems across the Navajo Nation, providing clean water and solar power to families in Rock Point, Sweetwater, Red Mesa, Mexican Water, Dennehotso, Lok'ahjigaii, Teec Nos Pos, Round Rock, Upper Fruitland, Shiprock, Farmington, Kirtland, Waterflow, and Kayenta. Through our teach/train/hire model, local students gain hands-on experience in plumbing, solar installation, and system maintenance while helping bring long-term infrastructure to their own communities.
✅ Cortez Makerspace: The Cortez Makerspace is now active at 209 W. Main St., Cortez, CO, creating a hub for workforce training, entrepreneurship, and creative development. With tools and programming in digital design, fabrication, and hands-on making, the Makerspace is helping expand access to skills, certifications, and community-based innovation.
✅ Youth Entrepreneurship Program: Our Youth Entrepreneurship Program at Southwest Open School continues to equip students with practical skills in business planning, financial literacy, market research, and problem-solving. Through hands-on projects and pitch-based learning, students are developing ideas that respond to real community needs and building the confidence to turn those ideas into action.
We are continuing to scale our programs, strengthen partnerships, and build pathways that help communities become their own solutions.
Learn more about our work:
🔗 Learn more about our work →
About us
At Fundamental Needs, we partner with underserved communities to bridge critical gaps in clean water, electricity, education, and economic opportunities. Through hands-on training, workforce development, and entrepreneurship programs, we empower individuals to overcome systemic barriers and build a sustainable future.
Our Impact
🔹 Oasis Project – Installing off-grid water and solar systems on the Navajo Nation while training and employing high school students in renewable energy and plumbing.
🔹 Cortez Makerspace (Coming 2025) – A hub for workforce development, providing training in trades, technology, and entrepreneurship to support local industries.
🔹 Youth Entrepreneurship Program – Equipping students at Southwest Open School with business skills, mentorship, and real-world opportunities to create ventures that solve community challenges.
We are building solutions by the community, for the community—ensuring lasting impact through education, innovation, and economic empowerment.
Learn more about our mission → About Us page
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