News

The Quincy Public Schools Foundation ended its 2020 Dream Big Annual Campaign slightly short of its $200,000 goal, with a final total of $170,500.

Executive Director, Kent Embree stated, “We are so grateful to the Quincy community and other donors, who gave to this year’s campaign. Without support from local businesses and community members, as well as QHS alumni, the Foundation would not be in a position to provide resources to the school district, especially providing funding that meets the district’s growing needs for curriculum and technology.”

The proceeds from the campaign will help the foundation’s grant-making program throughout the next fiscal year by supplementing distributions from our Circles of Investment endowments. The endowments provide much-needed support to classrooms, but are also specifically restricted, while the proceeds from the campaign are often used for other non-specific needs as they arise throughout the year.

A few examples of previous campaign-funded projects from last year include the Lego WeDo STEM program throughout elementary schools in the district, new printing equipment in the Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center, and new musical instruments for the QPS Music Department.

Thanks to donors for this campaign, proceeds will also be allocated to the five “pillars” of the Foundation: Curriculum, Technology, Fine Arts, Athletics, and Endowment. A portion of proceeds will also benefit operations of the Foundation and help contribute to its operational endowment.

Embree explained further, “The COVID pandemic played a significant role in changes to our overall campaign efforts this year. Traditionally, the foundation has focused on event-driven fundraising. Without our “Night to Dream Big” gala and live auction, we had to pivot our efforts to a completely online auction, which we rebranded as our ‘Week to Dream Big Auction and Raffle’. We have such gratitude for our auction donors, who made that possible.” The auction raised just over $73,000 as a component of the annual campaign.

QPS Foundation President, Lindsay Ertel, stated, “We went into the campaign realizing that it was going to be a difficult financial year for many individuals and businesses.  Because of this, we are even more thankful for those who still made the Quincy Public Schools a priority in their annual giving.”

During its last fiscal year, the QPS Foundation played a role facilitating the funding of several privately-funded, large projects including the Flinn Stadium building expansion, QAVTC machine shop equipment, and technology upgrades at the Quincy Junior High School made possible through the generosity of its donors. Privately-funded support through the foundation for the district reached a record $2.1 million, largely because of the Flinn project.

The foundation encourages donations throughout the year in support of Quincy’s public education. Gifts to the QPS Foundation may be made through the foundation office at Quincy Senior High School, through the mail, or through the foundation’s web site, www.qpsfoundation.org.