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Advocacy and Outreach for School Advancement
At Navajo Prep, our advocacy and outreach efforts are essential to building the school’s capacity for growth, sustainability, and overall student success. Guided by of our Strategic Plan, we are committed to strengthening relationships, expanding partnerships, and increasing resources to support our mission, “Yideeską́ą́góó Naat’áanii” – Leaders Now and Into the Future.
Goal Four: Navajo Prep will develop systems to increase capacity for advancement and outreach.
Through federal, state, tribal, and alumni engagement, we advocate for policies and funding that benefit Indigenous education. Our work includes building meaningful relationships, creating opportunities for collaboration, and sharing the powerful story of Navajo Prep with our community and beyond.
Our Advancement Plan focuses on:
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Strengthening our public image and school narrative
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Engaging alumni, families, and key stakeholders
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Expanding partnerships for college, career, and leadership opportunities
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Advocating for funding at the federal, state, and tribal levels
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Creating sustainable donor engagement and stewardship practices
Advocacy and outreach are vital to success of our future at Navajo Prep, they help us grow our capacity, elevate our students' voices, and ensure Navajo Prep thrives for generations to come.
Board Support in Action: Advocacy and Outreach Resolutions
Federal Advocacy and Outreach
- The BIE funded Navajo Prep’s request to implement HVAC in five dormitories at $2,589,233.00. The Navajo Nation has supported Navajo Prep’s request to implement the project; this request and all paperwork were submitted by the Navajo Nation to the BIE in June 2024.
- 2025: Grant has been awarded
- In 2024, Senator Heinrich supported two Congressional Direct Spending requests
- $2,000,000 Complex to support academics, language, and culture for students, faculty, staff, and communities of the Navajo Nation.
- $500,000 Create the Classrooms Without Walls Leadership Program to help students develop 21st-century advocacy and communication skills to support community building within Tribal nations.
- In the 2023-2024 school year, Navajo Prep's Head of School was appointed by the Navajo Nation to participated in Tribal Interior Budget Committee (TIBC) meetings
Head of School Presentation
At the 2025 Diné Bi Oltá School Board Association (DBOSBA) Spring Conference, our Head of School delivered a presentation to the Tribal Interior Budget Committee (TIBC) Education Subcommittee, highlighting Navajo Preparatory School’s recent achievements, ongoing initiatives, and future priorities. The report showcases our commitment to academic excellence, student growth, and infrastructure development, as well as the critical role of advocacy in securing funding for transformative projects like the Indigenous STEAM Building.
Leading with Purpose: Advocacy Highlights
Our Advocates in Action
Federal Resources
New Mexico Impact
Advocacy Efforts and Success
- From 2024 to 2025, the State of New Mexico increased Capital Outlay support by 88%
- 2023: $2,462,500
- Building and Infrastructure Improvements - plan, design, construct, purchase, install and equip security systems and information technology
- Student Housing - plan, design, construct, renovate, furnish and equip
- Wellness vehicle, equipment and supplies
- HB52, IB Fees fully paid
- 2024: $3,325,000
- Student Housing - plan, design, construct, renovate, equip
- Building and Infrastructure Improvements
- STEAM Cultural Arts Building - plan, design, construct, demolish, renovate, equip, furnish, and implement infrastructure and building improvements
- Wellness and Athletic Complex - plan, design, equip, and furnish
- HB2 - Licensed behavioral health providers to serve as a student support coordinator and student support specialist
- 2025: $6,225,000
- Student Home - equipment and to plan, design, construct, renovate, repair and furnish residential housing and infrastructure
- Drainage and Infrastructure - plan, design, repair, construct, improve and equip drainage and infrastructure
- Building and Infrastructure Improvements - plan, design, construct, furnish, equip and improve facilities and infrastructure, including security upgrades, classroom additions, sidewalks and landscaping
- 2023: $2,462,500
- In 2022, Navajo Prep received $5,000,000 from the State of New Mexico to build our New Student Home
Student Advocates in Action
New Mexico Resources
Navajo Nation Impact
Advocacy Efforts and Success
In 2023, Legislation 0231-23 was signed into law, granting Navajo Preparatory School $3,000,000 from the Sihasin Funds to complete the construction of our student residential home. We express our sincere gratitude to our sponsor Delegate Dr. Andy Nez, co-sponsors Delegate Seth Damon and Delegate Rickie Nez, and the 25th Navajo Nation Council for their support in passing this important legislation.
Building on this success, our advocates are once again reaching out to request $5,000,000 in UUFB (Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance) funding from the Navajo Nation. We are proud to share that we have already secured resolution approvals from all five Navajo Nation agencies and are diligently following the legislative process.
✓ March 1, 2025 -Eastern Agency, No. ENAC-03-2025-004
✓ March 15, 2025 - Northern Agency
✓ April 12, 2025 - Chinle Agency, No. CNAC25-04-01
✓ April 12, 2025 - Ft. Defiance Agency
This next critical investment will support the construction of the Indigenous STEAM Building, which will feature five new classrooms designed to enhance educational opportunities for our students.
