Mission & Impact:

Since 1997, the Sol Foundation has inspired low-income teens to become altruistic and responsible community leaders, while facilitating their dream to attend college.

Students with goals of post-high school education are nominated by partnering high schools to participate in a 10-month long program, supporting each student through a community activist project, a month-long wilderness course and the college admissions process.

Each piece of the Sol Foundation program builds upon the others to provide opportunities and support that few low-income youth would otherwise receive:

•Guidance to lead a community-activist project, modifying an aspect of the community to the benefit of others.
•Full scholarship to summer wilderness courses, in partnership with Outward Bound, to support personal growth, discovery and leadership skills.
•Promote admittance to college with tuition-paid SAT preparation course and mentoring.
•Ensure equal technological footing in college with post-program reward of a laptop computer.

Through donor support and a volunteer administrative team, nearly 100% of our sponsored students have gone onto college.

A L U M N I   N E W S F L A S H

"I'm open-minded about new people, and can recognize opportunities. I feel like I can at least try to do anything and navigate through the hardships. The initiative I take toward work has been contagious to other areas of my life."


Roannelyn P., 2001 Sol Foundation Scholar
Nyack College, Associates Degree in General Education

Lehman College, Bachelor's degree in Communications, 2008; Intern at NBC 4 Telemundo

I N   M E M OR Y   O F
E R I C   "C H A R L I E"  S T E L Z E R

We continue to honor the memory of "Charlie," who in 1994 lost his life in a kayaking accident in Colorado, where he lived and worked.

The Sol Foundation was established to further the important work Eric contributed to his community, specifically with disadvantaged youth and those seeking to overcome the vast hurdles associated with their disabilities.

As Eric did in his own life, we hope to inspire the promising faces of young people to set lofty personal goals, challenge themselves to new heights, make wise and compassionate choices, and give back to their communities.


Contact Us: Bonnie@TheSolFoundation.org