Friends of Solar Prep (FOSP) is a volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation led by a board of parents and community leaders who work to ensure every Solar Prep student has equal access to educational opportunities in order to realize their full potential.
FOSP supports the Solar Preparatory Schools, two challenging and inclusive Dallas ISD public schools, through fundraising for professional development and student resources – key drivers of academic performance.
STEAM and SEL education (core components of the Solar Prep model) currently cost $150 – $200 more per student, per year than what Dallas ISD provides (based on TEA funding models). FOSP raises funds that go directly to our teachers and scholars to fulfill the resources needed to achieve higher academic potential.
Additionally, in keeping with the inclusive values of Solar Prep, school leadership understands that the financial burden in supporting teachers, students and classroom resources should not be on parents alone in a 50/50 socioeconomic model.
PTO and PTA organizations (as well as The Solar League, Solar Prep Cares and Brotherly Love, etc.) do a wonderful job of engaging with parents and building community and culture among our schools and families. FOSP helps fill the funding gaps, specifically related to our scholars’ educational needs.
Campus Principals determine how dollars are allocated each academic year. Principals make funding requests in three main categories: Student Enrichment (enhanced curriculum, field trips, etc.), Educator Development (conferences, training, etc.) and Classroom Supplies (learning materials, tools and resources).
You can view the current campus needs as determined by school Principals at www.friendsofsolarprep.org.
Quarterly updates are sent to each campus Principal and they may share with anyone interested. We also share announcements and funding updates in campus newsletters, on social media and our website, as well as distribute an email newsletter twice per year to our donors. If you’d like to subscribe to our email list, please click HERE.
To date, the foundation has been able to fund 100% of requests from our Principals.
Each board member and a contracted grant writer are responsible for seeking out and staying apprised of new funding opportunities as well as stewarding relationships with potential donors. Our funding sources are comprised of public and private foundations, corporate partnerships and individual donors.
Board members are expected to actively fundraise, make key introductions and participate in community events to raise the Solar Prep profile in the community.
We have raised nearly $1.2 million, as of January 2022. We have been raising funds for the Girls campus since its founding in 2015 and began fundraising for the Boys campus in late 2019.
It is Dallas ISD’s responsibility to fund middle schools. FOSP supports funding additional resources and professional development as deemed essential and requested by the Principals regardless of grade level.
Absolutely. Every dollar to support our scholars is important! Parent organizations should discuss fundraising plans with each campus Principal.
FOSP cannot accept funding requests from parent groups or board members. In keeping with the strategic vision of the Solar Prep leadership, parent groups are encouraged to speak with the Principal if they see a need they believe should be funded on campus.
We always encourage and welcome anyone to share their great ideas for school resources and programs with SBDM, the advisory committee for each school, and/or the Principal.
Yes. You may write in “boys school” or “girls school” in your donation notes on Paypal.
Yes, SPG lost their 3rd AP position. They will have one Principal and two APs for the 2023-2024 school year which will remain in place for all schools in DISD with Pre-K – 8 grades. SPG has not requested funding for any staff positions and does not anticipate doing so at this time.
Historically, FOSP has never funded a staffing position, but the board recognized this need as mission-critical to our campus. DISD has approved this payment structure in this instance. As a nonprofit foundation, DISD will allow FOSP to make a one-time $90,000 payment earmarked for our AP position. This structure is also the only way we could have made the payment work with the district.
As of now, this is a one time request. Principal Thomas will work with the district on his budget in following years and when an 8th grade is added, the district will allocate funding for the second AP position again.
FOSP is governed by a set of bylaws, since inception, and amended as necessary. Each board member volunteers their time fundraising and advocating for the schools in the community, as well as stewarding the foundation’s resources in support of the Principals’ strategic vision.
There is a nomination process open to interested parents and community members. The board is comprised of a diverse group of parents, industry partners and community members who have a skillset in fundraising and a passion for education. Equitable representation across the Girls and Boys school parents is important, along with an understanding that FOSP is an independent foundation and does not function as a parent organization for either school.
We are always looking for new board members to volunteer their time! Please share your interested at our Contact Us page. Yesenia Mendez, Nominations Chair, will visit with you to learn more about your interest in being a board member.
Copyright © 2020 Friends of Solar Prep. All rights reserved.
