Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Friends of FPE?
A: Friends of Forest Park Elementary is a charitable organization comprised of volunteer parents focused on informing, educating, connecting the Forest Park Elementary community while also raising financial support for Forest Park Elementary School. It is a merger of the former FPE PTA and the Forest Park Elementary School Foundation.
Q: What is the Foundation?
A: The foundation is the legal entity within Friends of FPE that raising funds for Forest Park Elementary School. The Friends of FPE and the Foundation are operated by a board of volunteers from the community.
Q: How are board members of Friends of FPE elected?
A: The foundation is a group of volunteer parents. New members are selected by the Foundation. If you are interested in serving, please contact any member of the current board.
Q: Are board members compensated?
A: No, board members donate all their time, and even buy our own coffee if we meet at Starbucks!
Q: If I donate money, can I specify how it's used?
A: Unfortunately, in most cases it isn’t possible to fingermark funds for certain projects. At times, we may have a focused fundraising drive (for example, for PE a while back), but staffing and funding decisions are made by Portland Public Schools and the Forest Park administration. However, input for parents and the community is generally warmly received.
Q: What is the Tax ID number for the Forest Park Foundation?
A: Our federal tax ID number is 20-1975263.
Q: What's the difference between the Foundation, Site Council and the PTA?
A: You are welcome to ask this same question to the other groups, but at a high level the following describes some differences:
- Friends of Forest Park: group of community volunteers that raises money for the school and that supports school and community activities
- Foundation: raises money for use by the school for hiring teaching staff (PEOPLE)
- Site Council: state mandated body providing community input on educational content and programs (PROGRAMS)
Q: How many times a year will Friends of FPE ask me for money?
A: At times the Friends of FPE plans change due to changed circumstances, but our general fundraising activities are:
- at the start of the school year, there is a general ask for donations;
- before the end of the calendar year, we may remind people that donations are tax deductible;
- our annual auction is generally in the Jan-Mar timeframe.
If there are shortfalls or PPS announces changes that we believe would adversely impact our school, we do from time-to-time make special requests. Of course all donations are voluntary, but we hope that you will continue to support Forest Park Elementary and our community. Thank You!
Q: Do you know if my company will "match" donations made to the FPE Foundation?
A: We have a list of companies we believe match donations, but you should check directly with your company to confirm our understanding. Click here for a list of Companies that Match.
Q: How is fundraiser money raised spent?
A: Money raised goes to the school to help fund gaps between what public funding provides and what parents want for their children.
Historically funds have been spent augmenting staff, providing EAs, technology instruction, and other positions. (more specifics on this coming soon!)
Financials are publicly viewable here.