Skip the Grid Heart of America
Education Technology
Educational Experiences
Dec 1, 2024
Raised
$19,625
Goal
$50,000
Heart of America Skip the Grid
Reliable electricity — something many of us take for granted — isn’t easy to come by in the Navajo Nation. In fact, 1 in 3 homes do not have access to electricity, which means that young people rely upon daylight hours to do schoolwork, not to mention all of the things families do when the sun goes down.
Heart of America provided essential resources like basic school supplies, art materials, and solar-powered lanterns to over 10,000 students and families. We’ve also installed over 250 solar kits in homes all across the Navajo Nation. However, with so many homes without reliable electricity, our work is far from done.
What Skip the Grid Does: Heart of America's Skip the Grid initiative brings solar power to families in the Navajo Nation who live without electricity. The program installs solar energy systems (solar panels, batteries, lights, and small refrigerators) in homes of school-aged children, enabling them to complete homework, read after dark, and charge school-issued devices.
The Problem: Many Navajo Nation families live without consistent access to electricity, making it nearly impossible for students to complete homework assignments after sunset or charge devices needed for school.
Program Impact (As of 2024-2025):
174 homes powered with solar systems
11,000+ students received educational resource packs
$2,500 powers one additional home
How It Supports Education:
Homework Access - Students can read and study after dark with solar lighting
Device Charging - Families can charge school-issued laptops and tablets
Educational Equity - Removes a major barrier preventing Indigenous students from completing schoolwork
Refrigeration - Small fridges help families store food and medicine
Service Learning - University students (Cal Poly and others) install systems, learning about Navajo culture and social justice
Collaborative Model: Partners include SOLV Energy, Goal Zero, NEXTracker, Chinle Unified School District, and university volunteers who install 40+ systems per trip.
The foundation's $9,625 donation powered approximately 3-4 homes, directly enabling Navajo students to succeed in their education!
link to more information on Heart of America's Skip the Grid Program
Donate directly to the Skip the Grid Program
Gratisol 2024 Donation: $9,625
Gratisol 2025 Donation: $10,000
