Looking Ahead

2025 has been a whirlwind of activity as we put learning into practice, creating staff trainings, improving our teaching tools, restarting our propagation program, etc. With your help, this coming year will be focused on growth and opportunity.

In the face of a difficult funding landscape, we have taken bold steps to diversify our income streams and strengthen our foundation. For example, a recent grant makes it possible to move ahead on a much-anticipated gift shop project. It will be a small shop that can be run by our supported employees, giving them great retail experience. They will be selling unique gifts which they have made, adding more skill development. This space will also include a walk-up window for drinks such as coffee, tea, and smoothies, which itself is a very transferable job skill.

We also continue to review our budget carefully and implement cost-saving strategies wherever possible. Interns have been an incredible asset, and we plan to keep welcoming these dedicated individuals. A more affordable insurance plan has been found for our full- time staff, and we will begin seeing that benefit in the new year. You may notice new partnerships and innovative initiatives at the nursery, as we navigate what is sure to be another financially challenging year.

Our grant writing and fundraising efforts have intensified and will keep growing as we navigate an increasingly competitive funding environment. To that end, we have expanded your options for giving. We now have multiple tiers of subscription options so you can give monthly, spreading the cost over the entire year. The Memorial Garden remembrance donation program has been streamlined and updated. And we have added some helpful hints on our End of Year page in response to the changing tax laws. Desert Survivors wants to make your giving process as simple and flexible as possible.

Enjoy the Holiday season and thank you for your ongoing support! The Desert Survivors