Southwest high school has a long history of excellence and service. Please support Southwest and its students—past, present, and future—with a gift today.

About the Foundation

The Southwest Foundation supports Southwest High School, recognized nationally as one of the top public high schools in Minnesota.  Located in the southwest corner of Minneapolis, Southwest was founded in 1940 and quickly became an academic, athletic, and artistic powerhouse. As state funding for education ebbs and flows, Southwest’s community steps in to fill important gaps to ensure the students at Southwest receive an excellent and equitable educational experience.

The Southwest Foundation represents a merger between alumni and parent fundraising efforts. In the early 1980’s, recognizing the increasing importance of a college degree, Southwest alumni organized the Southwest Foundation to raise money for student scholarships. Named scholarships, recognizing Southwest members (many former teachers, students, and volunteers), were established and now help over 26 graduating seniors each year. 

In the early 2000’s, parents at Southwest organized the Quality Education Campaign, later named the Southwest Education Fund, when they saw declining budgets impact Southwest’s ability to ensure that every student, regardless of background, receives the tools they need to succeed. In 2013, the alumni and parent fundraising groups combined to create the new Southwest Foundation, which continues to work to provide an exceptional and equitable educational experience for all Southwest students.

scholarships

Seniors at Southwest may apply for scholarships from the Southwest Foundation in the spring of their senior year. Southwest's guidance counselors provide information about scholarships and how to apply online through the Naviance system. Scholarship winners are announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony each May.  Students, ask your counselor how to get started!

A list of some of what the Foundation hopes to provide with your help:

• science and math supplies and exam fees;

• collaboration with Project Success;

• ACT preparation classes, practice tests, and tools to improve Advanced Academic test scores;

• 9th grade orientation via “Link Crew” community and school spirit events;

• need-based student scholarships for International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams;

• clubs, activities, and leadership programs;

• affinity club nights like American Sign Language “Silent Night”

• guest artist residencies

• field trips, classroom supplies, and all supplies for homeless/highly mobile students;

• targeted professional development resources for teacher and professional staff innovation;

  
  

Please give to the Foundation here to help give Southwest's diverse student body the tools and experiences they need to thrive.

The original entrance to Southwest High School, September 2014.                                                   Photo by Jana Freiband

Foundation Board of directors

• Bradley Idelkope, alum ‘03, Chair

• Andy Schoenke, Treasurer

• Dan Froehlich, Director of Alumni Engagement, alum '75, staff, and graduate parent

• Gwen Spurgat, Fundraising/Events Co-chair, parent

• Allison Krueger, Fundraising/Events Co-chair, parent

• Ann Smith, parent

• Jackie Noble, parent

• Dave Premack, Acting Communications Director, alum ‘04

• Jodi Marker-Perelman, ‘87, alumni & faculty

• Maria Kimmes, faculty

• Non-voting representative from the Administration