irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $145KDevelop and deliver webinars, workshops, forums, discussions, and presentations that inform a wide variety of audiences about the conditions and opportunities for public education throughout Arizona. During 2020, SOSAZN has organized and delivered 9 online Speaking of Schools discussions featuring nationally prominent speakers and reaching thousands of viewers around Arizona. The SOSAZN Native Outreach Coordinator hosted speakers on education topics of interest to the Native American community, and SOSAZN Latino Outreach Coordinator hosted online Charlas to discuss education topics of interest to the Hispanic community, both with hundreds of viewers and participants monthly. In addition, SOSAZN delivered more than 50 online webinars in English and Spanish covering equity, public school funding, and privatization. Our blog posts reached thousands of readers with information about the history of privatization.
- #2 $97KDeveloping, aggregating, organizing, and disseminating research, resources, and information relative to public education in Arizona. Focusing on under-resourced communities, the Network has become a statewide authority on ways that funding is drained from public education budgets, and how structural inequities in funding formulas disadvantage poor, immigrant, Native American, and rural communities. Our research has included detailed, nonpartisan information about how school funding works in Arizona, the history of education privatization, how less advantaged communities are hurt by cuts to public school funding and diversion of funds to private schools, information about litigation and court decisions affecting public school funding, and information about how the legislative process works.
named programs · 2 · from sources
what they call their work
Advocacy for Public School Funding
Engages community members and stakeholders to advocate for equitable funding and policies that support Arizona's public schools.
Community Outreach Initiatives
Organizes outreach efforts to educate and mobilize parents and community members around public education issues.
activities · 5 clusters
what they do
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Community Policy Education & Advocacy 3 activities
- Community Engagement and EducationFacilitates free presentations with leaders to strengthen public education, engages in daily conversations with community members about the importance of public education, and provides tools for individuals to understand the financial impact of the ESA voucher program on their local school districts.
- Deliver educational presentations and community outreach on public educationFacilitates Roadshow presentations—both virtually and in-person—led by trained presenters to inform communities about threats to public education, including the impact of voucher programs. Also engages in daily conversations with community members to promote support for local public schools.
- Provide tools for public engagement on school funding impactsOffers an online tool that allows individuals to calculate how much funding their local school district is losing due to the ESA voucher program, enabling data-informed civic participation.
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Public Education & Secular Advocacy 2 activities
- Advocate against privatization of public education through policy analysis and public messagingEngages in advocacy by publishing policy guides, such as on school bonds and overrides, and by issuing public statements and articles warning that federal and state voucher programs threaten public education. Highlights budget shortfalls and calls for policy solutions to rein in voucher spending.
- Public Education AdvocacyEngages in advocacy efforts to support public education, including publishing guides on school bonds and overrides, discussing the impact of federal private school voucher programs, and demanding budget solutions for the ESA voucher program.
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Policy Research & Public Education 2 activities
- Conduct and publish research on Arizona's education system and voucher programsProduces data-driven reports, analyses, and case studies on public education issues in Arizona, with a focus on the financial and systemic impacts of the ESA voucher program, including findings on funding losses, equity gaps, and projected costs. Publishes under the "SOSAZ Network Reports" series and maintains a blog to disseminate findings.
- Research and Reporting on Education IssuesConducts and publishes research, reports, and analyses on public education issues in Arizona and the United States, with a focus on the impacts of ESA vouchers, inequities in the education system, and the state of rural schools. This includes detailed financial analyses and data-based information dissemination.
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Advocacy & Civic Leadership Training 1 activity
- Build grassroots organizing capacityTrains and supports local organizers who manage networks of community volunteers year-round, strengthening grassroots advocacy for public education.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Capacity Building for Public Education AdvocatesInvests in local organizers who manage community volunteers year-round and provides training for individuals to become Roadshow Presenters, offering both virtual and in-person options.
- Organize public education events and recognition programsHosts an annual "CAPS" (Champions of Public Education) event featuring student performances, art displays, guest speakers, food, and awards to celebrate Arizona’s public schools and rally community support.
- Public Education Celebration and RecognitionOrganizes an annual event called "CAPS" (Champions of Public Education) to celebrate Arizona's public schools, featuring performances, student art displays, guest speakers, and student dance performances, and recognizes "Champions of Public Education" through an awards program.
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financials · form 990 · fy2020
the money
revenue
Total revenue$485K
Contributions & grants$485K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$435K
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$113K
Cash$113K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$113K
Liquid reserves3.1 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020
who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY TICE | DIGITAL DIRECTOR | 20 | $34K |
| DAWN PENICH-THACKER | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | 20 | $34K |
| ELIZABETH LEWIS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $31K |
| MELINDA IYER | POLICY DIRECTOR | 20 | $30K |
| CATHERINE SIGMON | FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | 20 | $28K |
| SHARON KIRSCH | EXECUTIVE & RESEARCH DIRECTOR | 20 | $28K |
relationships · 17
who they work with
- AZ Legislature Government — Encourages individuals to engage with the AZ Legislature by using the Request to Speak System to weigh in on bills.
- Advancement Project Partner — Co-authored a policy brief linking private education vouchers to public school closures with Public Funds for Public Schools.
- Advancement Project Partner — References the Advancement Project's School Closure Toolkit.
- Arizona Dept. of Education Government — References their ESA Voucher Reports.
- BYTE Partner — Mary Darling is a board member of BYTE.
- Beth Partner — Designated contact for press inquiries on behalf of Save Our Schools Arizona Network.
- Brookings Institution Partner — References their report on AZ Universal Vouchers.
- EdTrust Partner — References their report "Impact of School Vouchers in Arizona".
- Education Law Center Partner — References their "Making the Grade" report.
- Grand Canyon Institute Partner — References their voucher cost study and report on unspent voucher funds.
- Learning Policy Institute Partner — References their tracker "Understanding the Cost of Universal Vouchers".
- Madison Center for the Arts Partner — Venue for the CAPS 2026 event.
- NCPE Partner — References their Voucher Toolkit.
- National Education Policy Center Partner — References their report "The Mounting Trouble with Education Savings Accounts".
- Partnership for Equity & Education Rights Partner — References their report "Public Dollars for Private Schools: The State of Vouchers in 2025".
- Public Funds for Public Schools Partner — References their policy brief co-authored with Advancement Project and their voucher research.
- Sonesta Select Partner — Provides a hotel block for the CAPS 2026 event.