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ABOUT US

Development through education

GuateMaya Alliance, formerly known as the Ixtatán Foundation, is a productive Nonprofit Organization founded twenty three years ago, soon after the Guatemala Peace Accords were signed in 1996. The Foundation operates from Guatemala in the department of Huehuetenango and is based in Charlottesville, VA. In 23 years, it has gone from school infrastructure to innovative education models to graduating the town of San Mateo Ixtatán first youth from high school and college.

To support the power and capacity of Guatemalan youth to foster participatory pathways to community well-being. 

We dream of thriving communities that have access to quality education, justice, health care and decent employment.



Initially focused on the population of northern Huehuetenango which is primarily of Mayan descent, a demographic group in Guatemala that, despite being more than half the total population, has been systematically discriminated against and excluded from the national education system. Indigenous students must learn in a foreign language (Spanish vs their native Mayan) and in most of the country do not have access to middle or high schools so that many only achieve 3rd or 6th grade in their communities. Lack of education opportunities is a key reason why  Mayan youth make the excruciating decision to travel undocumented to the U.S. in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families. GuateMaya Alliance focuses on these indigenous people in rural communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala.

Our Programs

Supporting students, Creating Leadership & Critical Thinking, and Community well-being.

01
Project-Based Learning Curriculum Development
partnering with area public schools to implement project-based learning initiatives that encourage students to stay in school because the program is innovative and relevant to real life problems.
02
College Scholarship Program
providing multi-year high school and college level scholarships for students, all of Mayan descent and who speak a Mayan language. We are proud of the number of students from our high school who have come back to become teachers after college - 90% of teachers at Seeds of Wisdom school and English programs are alumni.
03
Public Library
running an award-winning library in the town of San Mateo Ixtatán with multilingual (Mayan & Spanish) books, reading clubs, teacher training and financial literacy programs for all community members. This library is the first of its kind in the municipality and one of only a handful in the department of Huehuetenango.
A promise Delivered in 2023

Thanks to a matching grant the first three classrooms of the Centro Uno School, in Guatemala are funded

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How to support?

Support the power and capacity of Guatemalans

Make a gift online
To make a gift today click below or text GIVE at (855) 784-0706. We use “Network for Good” to process your gift in a secure manner.
Make a 3-year pledge of an annual gift
You can do this by texting PLEDGE at (855)784-0706 Send checks to: GuateMaya Alliance P. O. Box 1076 Charlottesville, VA 22902
Give through a DAF, Donate Stock or Plan for a Legacy Gift
For DAF enter: Ixtatan Foundation, Inc DBA GuateMaya Alliance EIN 54-2020657 To donate stock click below to enter the symbol, quantity, and select GuateMaya Alliance 54-2020657 For a planned gift: Contact us at [email protected]
How can we help you?

Discover Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Ixtatan Foundation, Inc DBA GuateMaya Alliance is a registered nonprofit organization registered with the IRS as a (501(c)3 EIN 54-2020657 in the U.S. As well as a registered nonprofit organization in Guatemala with NIT: 79110509

You can mail a check to GuateMaya Alliance at P. O. Box 1076. Charlottesville, VA 22902

There are many volunteer opportunities in Guatemala, please contact our office in Huehuetenango at: +502 78828487 or at  [email protected]

The Ixtatan Foundation was founded by Beth Neville Evans and the current president is Kelly Eplee

Contact us at [email protected] for general information. For gifts and planned giving contact [email protected] or text GIVE at (855)874-0607, and to contact the Guatemala office email [email protected]

The Guatemala office is located at 7a Avenida B 1-10 Zona 4, Ciudad de Huehuetenango, Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

Yes. We are happy to share information about Guatemala, education and development opportunities at your organization or church. Please reach out at [email protected].