Turn Potential Into Possibility
We can make an impact together
62
of our current 217 local English language students have a full scholarship
42%
of yearly fees subsidized
48+
Annual intercultural exchanges between local and international students
80%
of our students study with us for two or more years
13%
yearly scholarship student increase
5+
new laptops for our library computer lab
90%
of students continue to university
50+
Annual free library workshops and activities
220+
students in our English language program
Na’atik is a US 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization based in Quintana Roo, Mexico. We support students from the city of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico and surrounding Maya communities. Together, we are changing lives for local Maya and Mexican students, opening pathways to university and professional careers through classes, our trilingual library and extracurricular activities to elevate individuals and the communities they call home.
Subsidized English Classes
Opening doors through language
Na’atik’s subsidized English language program provides high-quality instruction taught by trained language teachers, something local public schools often lack. Today, English is not optional. It is a requirement for many university programs, a gateway to employment in fields such as medicine, technology, education, the region's expanding tourism sector, and a means to become a global citizen.
42 percent of every student’s tuition is subsidized
This is made possible by donor support and our Maya and Spanish (MaS) immersion programs.
Growing Impact by school year:
197 enrolled students | 2023–2024
211 enrolled students | 2024–2025
223 enrolled students | 2025–2026
Most of our long-term students continue to university or well-paying positions in the tourism industry. We are now seeing the first generations of Na’atik students graduate from university, a meaningful milestone that reflects years of sustained investment in education. Five previous students are now staff with us at Na’atik.
Our Local Projects
Maya Youth (MY) Scholarships
Ensuring that all students can access our programs
Our donor funded MY Scholarship Program supports students whose families cannot afford even our subsidized tuition. It ensures that financial hardship does not determine access to education.
Each scholarship supports a student for one full academic year in addition to a free textbook, uniform, entry to Na’atik events, and additional communication and support for parents.
Students Supported:
50 students | 2023–2024
55 students | 2024–2025
62 students | 2025–2026
As enrollment grows, so does the need. Every scholarship directly changes what is possible for a student and their family.
Trilingual Library
A shared space for learning, culture, and connection
Opened in 2018, the Na’atik Library is our trilingual intercultural hub offering books, computers, resources, and games in English, Spanish, and Maya. It is a place where local and international students read, learn, create, and connect across cultures.
Donor support keeps the library open and active
Our Library Activities Coordinator, workshops, activities, books and materials are 100 percent donor-funded. Our workshops include science, art, music, computer skills, weekly Game Time, and additional sessions on a wide range of topics.
Intercultural Hub
The library is also home to ongoing intercultural exchanges between local and international students through intercambios, cultural events, and shared activities, bringing language learning to life beyond the classroom.
Na’atik’s English program elevates local students from Felipe Carrillo Puerto and nearby Maya communities by improving their English, their futures and the communities they call home.
When you donate, you’ll be added to a monthly Donor Impact Update, exclusive for donors only.
Donate. Educate. Elevate.
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Your monthly gift creates real change:
$5 gives one student a full week of classes
$10 provides a month of materials for a class
$50 funds a week of learning for an entire group
$100 supports two full groups for a week of classes
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Our Impact Fund will help all areas of the school, and especially where we need it most. This fund supports everything from infrastructure to equipment to program costs, including salaries and benefits.
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Our Maya Youth (MY) Scholarship fund helps disadvantaged kids attend our English Program. They receive a year of classes, textbooks, additional parent engagement, student support, access to our trilingual library and workshops. Consider sponsoring a student today!
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Our trilingual library contains books in English, Spanish, and Maya. This fund helps keep the library running, pays for our wonderful librarian, and funds amazing workshops to all our students.
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Donating appreciated stock is a powerful way to support Na’atik’s work while maximizing your impact. By giving stock directly, you may avoid capital gains taxes and help fund transformative education and cultural exchange in our community.
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Giving through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible way to support Na’atik. Recommend a grant from your DAF to invest in language, culture, and opportunity—creating lasting impact for students and families.
Donor Ceiba Tree
At the entrance of our school stands our Donor Tree: a ceiba, known in Maya culture as Ya’axche’. The ceiba is a sacred tree that represents life, strength, unity, and continuity—values that closely reflect our community and the impact of our supporters.
To honor our donors, we recognize those who give $600 or more annually with a green leaf on the tree. Each leaf represents a direct investment in Na’atik.
Our Major Donors are recognized with different tiered leaf colors:
Silver for $5000-19,000,
Gold for $20,000-49,000, and
Platinum for $50,000+
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
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MAYA YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP
Your impact can change lives.
A scholarship at Na’atik is a life-changing gift for local Indigenous students, offering access to opportunities that they would not otherwise have. Over 95% of our scholarship students go on to study at university.
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MATCHING FUNDS & DONATIONS
Your impact can change lives.
Many companies and organizations match their employees’ donations to charitable organizations. Ask your employers if they offer matches. We’re happy to send over any documentation they require.
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BECOME A MAJOR DONOR
Your impact can change lives.
Become a Major Donor and be an instrumental part of program and infrastructure improvements which positively impact student opportunities, personal growth and organizational financial sustainability.
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DONATE IN-KIND
Your impact can change lives.
Donate in-kind books, electronic devices and other materials to our library and other learning spaces from our Amazon US wish list or our Amazon Mexico wish list.
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GIFT A SPANISH OR MAYA LANGUAGE PACKAGE
Your impact can change lives.
Give an Online Language Gift Pack to a friend or loved one. These packages directly subsidize our local programs.
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LEAVE A BEQUEST
Your impact can change lives.
Leave a bequest to our Na’atik Impact Fund and have your legacy live on. If you have questions on how to set this up, we can connect you with an Estate Planner and Trust Administration attorney who has offered Pro-bono services to make the bequest set up easy.
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FUNDRAISE ON OUR BEHALF
Your impact can change lives.
There are many ways to fundraise for us. Bake sales, marathons, charity bike rides. Just reach out to supporters@naatikmexico.org and we’ll help you coordinate everything.
Or go to our GoFundMe and set up a fundraiser.
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STAY WITH ZAMAS HOTEL IN TULUM
Your impact can change lives.
Zamas makes a donation to Na’atik for every night you stay at their magical Tulum boutique, oceanside hotel through the company, Kind Traveler’s, ‘Every Stay Gives Back’ campaign.
Local Students Testimonials
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Talicia
“Na’atik helped with my pronunciation because I had native English teachers to improve my speaking skills.”
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Rosy
“When I received the Na’atik scholarship I felt really happy to be able to continue my English language studies.”
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Ángel
“Na’atik classes help me better understand the language as well as improve my school studies in English.”
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Raúl
“Knowing English is one of many skills I need for a job. Na’atik classes will help me succeed.”
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Miguel
“Na’atik is where I can learn English and practice my skills.”
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Fabiola
“English classes at Na’atik has improved my language skills.”
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Juan
“Studying English at Na’atik has improved my life so much.”
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Cinthia
“My English studies at Na’atik will improve my opportunities.”
