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 U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization based in Quintana Roo, Mexico. We support students from the city of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and surrounding Maya communities by strengthening intrapersonal, language, and social skills—helping open doors to future educational and life opportunities.

Subsidized English Classes

Opening doors through language

Na’atik’s Subsidized English 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, and the region's expanding tourism sector, and a means to become a global citizen. 

42% of every student’s tuition is subsidized

This is made possible by donor support and our Maya and Spanish 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.

Our Local Projects

Maya Youth (MY) Scholarships

Ensuring that all students can access our programs

The 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 is fully donor-funded and 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 and resources 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

This funds our Library Activities Coordinator, and makes regular workshops and activities possible. These include science, art, music, 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.

Donate.Educate.Elevate.

  • Your monthly gift creates real change:

    • $5 gives 1 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

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Our trilingual library contains books in English, Spanish, and Maya. This fund helps keep the library running, pay for our wonderful librarian, and funds amazing workshops to all our students.

  • 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.

    CLICK HERE.

  • 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.

    CLICK HERE.

Na’atik’s English program helps local students from Felipe Carrillo Puerto and nearby Maya communities to improve their English and impact their future. 

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 in a year—the cost of one MY Scholarship—with a green leaf on the tree. Each leaf represents a direct investment in Na’atik.

Our major donors are recognised with different tiered colors.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

  • 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.

  • MATCHING FUNDS & DONATIONS

    Your impact can change lives.

    Many companies and organizations match their employees’ donation to charitable organizations. We’re happy to send over any documentation they require.

  • BECOME A MAJOR DONOR

    Your impact can change lives.

    Become a Major Donor and help provide life-changing language education to students in the Yucatán Peninsula. Your generosity empowers opportunity, culture, and community.

  • DONATE IN-KIND

    Your impact can change lives.

    You can support our library and other learning spaces by donating much-needed books, electronic devices and other materials from on our Amazon US wish list or our Amazon MX wish list.

  • 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.

  • LEAVE A BEQUEST

    Your impact can change lives.

    If you are considering leaving a bequest to Na’atik Impact Fund, let us know and we can connect you with an expert who has offered free advice for those who wish to remember Na’atik in their last wishes.

  • 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.

  • STAY WITH ZAMAS HOTEL IN TULUM

    Your impact can change lives.

    Zamas makes a donation to Na’atik everytime you book a stay at their Tulum bouitque hotel.

Local Students Testimonials