Archaeology Southwest

What it reported doing in 2024

Landscape and Site ProtectionSave History: The Save History campaign expanded prevention and outreach in 2024, distributing 2,000+ children's activity books, launching an oral history video project, and presenting at conferences, including the Society for American Archaeology, National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and the Southwest Symposium. Media outreach included NPR's Here and Now, podcasts, and Tribal youth events. Through SaveHistory.org, 12 crime tips were relayed to law enforcement.Archaeological Resource Crime Response and Prevention: The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) Assistance Program, funded through a contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), strengthened detection and response by completing fieldwork for seven Tribe-requested damage assessments, installing 75+ trail cameras, and distributing 500+ no-trespassing signs. We built national capacity for protecting cultural heritage through three 5-day ARPA trainings with over 100 total participants from 18 Tribal Nations and multiple agencies, plus custom seminars and regional sessions.Respect Great Bend 2024: Archaeology Southwest remains a lead organization in the Respect Great Bend Coalition. House of Representatives Bill (H.R.) 9257, the "Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act," introduced by the late Congressman Raul Grijalva in late 2024, includes provisions for Tribal Commission co-stewardship of the proposed National Monument in southwestern AZ. This act was the subject of a well-received Congressional Hearing and multiple events organized by the Coalition to raise awareness for the proposed monument, including: EcoFlights with journalists and Tribal leaders, podcasts, trivia nights in Tucson and Phoenix, a Great Bend of the Gila beer from AZ Wilderness Brewing, and a fly-in to Washington DC for the "Monumental Day of Action" in April 2024. These events received favorable press coverage from KJZZ, Arizona Republic, Environment America, AZ Highways, AZPM news, Tucson Sentinel, and Channel 12 News. Engagement with the San Lucy District of the Tohono O'odham Nation resulted in a resolution of support.Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA, 1990): Archaeology Southwest contracted with the BIA to expand our collaboration to encompass assistance with consultations, repatriations, and compliance pursuant to NAGPRA. This contractual agreement follows on updated 2024 NAGPRA regulations, which provide clearer frameworks for institutions and prioritize Indigenous knowledge. Program Coordinator Amy Gillaspie joined our staff as lead, with Skylar Begay and others receiving training and assisting Gillaspie in working with museums, universities, and institutions across the US to facilitate the return of Indigenous Ancestors and their belongings to their descendants.Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape: In 2024, we continued to work hard to keep the Greater Chaco Landscape fully protected. The 2023-approved 20-year mineral withdrawal of federal lands and minerals within a 10-mile protection zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park is in place. Our advocacy work continued to focus on interactions with Tribal and NGO partners to ensure future protection of Chaco's fragile landscape.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 76.7%; rating input score 77
• Program expense ratio: 80.3%; rating input score 80
• Fundraising efficiency: $14.07 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 49; 49th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 83.2%; rating input score 83; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 90%; rating input score 90; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 13.2%; rating input score 68; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.79; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.08; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.7%; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 9.8% per year; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 9.7% per year; rating input score 100; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings