Legacy Haven Academy Nondiscrimination Policy

Introduction

Legacy Haven Academy Foundation (the "Academy"), accessible at legacyhavenacademy.org, is an educational organization dedicated to providing a nurturing, hands-on learning environment for youth ages 10-18 who are orphans or homeless. As the Academy seeks recognition as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, this Nondiscrimination Policy is adopted to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including those from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Arizona state laws, and Mohave County guidelines. This policy affirms the Academy's commitment to operating on a nondiscriminatory basis and will be incorporated into the Academy's governing documents, such as its bylaws or charter, as required for tax-exempt status (Internal Revenue Service, 1975).

Policy Statement

The Academy admits students of any race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, ancestry, or other protected status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, ancestry, or other protected status in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, athletic and other school-administered programs, employment practices, or any other aspect of its operations (Internal Revenue Service, 1975; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1442, 2024; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1492.02, 2024). This commitment aligns with IRS requirements for private educational organizations seeking 501(c)(3) status, Arizona's civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations and education, and local practices in Mohave County educational institutions, which emphasize inclusive environments free from discrimination (Internal Revenue Service, 2021; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-110, 2024; Mohave Valley Elementary School District, n.d.).

In particular:

• Admissions and Enrollment: The Academy will not discriminate in its admissions process. Eligibility is based on age (10-18) and status as orphans or homeless youth, without regard to protected characteristics. If the Academy participates in Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts or other state-funded programs, it will comply with nondiscrimination requirements for voucher-accepting private schools (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-2404, 2024; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-1184, 2024).
• Employment and Staffing: The Academy will not discriminate in hiring, promotion, or other employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age (40 and older), disability, national origin, or other protected categories, in accordance with Arizona employment nondiscrimination laws (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1463, 2024).
• Programs and Services: All educational, mentorship, adventure, and support programs, including STEAM, agriculture, fitness, leadership, counseling, and wellness services, will be administered without discrimination. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1492.02, 2024; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1492.04, 2024).
• Compliance with Local Regulations: In alignment with Mohave County educational entities, the policy includes protections against discrimination based on ethnicity, reflecting practices in local school districts and colleges (Mohave Community College, n.d.; Mohave Valley Elementary School District, n.d.).

Recordkeeping and Reporting

The Academy will maintain records demonstrating nondiscriminatory operations, including data on the racial composition of its student body, faculty, and administrative staff for each academic year. Scholarships and financial aid will be awarded on a nondiscriminatory basis. These records will be available for IRS inspection as part of the 501(c)(3) application and ongoing compliance (Internal Revenue Service, 1975; Internal Revenue Service, 2021). For Arizona and Mohave County compliance, the Academy will cooperate with investigations by the Arizona Civil Rights Division or local authorities and report any complaints as required (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1402, 2024; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1471, 2024).

Enforcement and Complaints

Any individual who believes they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint with the Academy's designated compliance officer. The Academy will investigate promptly and take appropriate action. External complaints may be filed with the IRS, Arizona Attorney General's Civil Rights Division, or relevant Mohave County authorities (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1471, 2024; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1481, 2024). Retaliation against complainants is strictly prohibited (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-1464, 2024).

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to maintain compliance with evolving regulations.