PURPOSE

Friends of Texas Public Schools (FOTPS) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy and awareness organization founded with the goal of celebrating and defending the achievements of Texas’s public schools. Rather than pursuing legislative reform agendas, FOTPS focuses its energy on showcasing “what’s right” with the state’s public education system and countering misleading narratives that paint schools as failing institutions. From its headquarters in Austin, FOTPS curates positive, data-backed stories, inspiring campaigns, and resources that highlight the successes of students, educators, and districts across Texas (fotps.org).

​

OUTREACH
 

FOTPS has two tiers of membership:

• Network Members: Over 500 school districts—ranging from large urban ISDs to small rural districts—have joined the Friends Network. These members receive district-wide benefits, including inclusion on the FOTPS website, recognition at the annual Awards Dinner, and promotional materials such as 40+ statewide billboards and inspirational posters for campuses. Network membership also grants advocacy support at key conferences and priority placement in the #ProudlyPublic campaign, which amplifies positive stories in the monthly e-newsletter (60,000+ subscribers) and on social media.

• Individual & Family Members: For a modest annual fee, parents, educators, business owners, and community advocates can support FOTPS’s mission. Individual members receive the monthly e-newsletter and are invited to engage in local ambassador training, events, and grassroots campaigns that celebrate public schools.

In addition to its formal members, FOTPS collaborates with a network of corporate partners and relies on an Advisory Council and volunteer ambassadors to extend its reach throughout Texas communities.