QPS Foundation launches Dream Big fundraising campaign

QUINCY — The Quincy Public Schools Foundation kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Thursday at Quincy High School, and it will continue through mid-January.

This year’s campaign will continue with the traditional slogan of “Dream Big” to encourage faculty and staff to utilize their imaginations when it comes to potential areas for improvement and enhancement of learning in the district, and for students, their potential beyond graduation.

Lindsay Ertel, president of the QPS Foundation’s Board of Trustees, announced this year’s goal of raising $200,000. Various fundraisers will be held including a virtual “Night to Dream Big” auction. A Dream Big Award honoree will be selected by the staff of the Quincy Public Schools through a nomination and voting process, the first time the award has been selected this way.

“Our board feels we need to recognize our district’s heroes of this pandemic, who happen to be the educators of our public school system,” Executive Director Kent Embree said. “In honor of all of them, we will let the staff choose a worthy recipient from among the ranks.”

More than $500,000 was needed from the foundation during the last fiscal year to meet teacher and district requests for technology, curriculum, training and other program needs. Sources for funding included previous Dream Big campaigns, endowment dividends, grants and other gifts.

Gifts to the Dream Big Campaign should be made to QPS Foundation through the foundation office at Quincy High School. Mobile device users can donate electronically by texting “QPSF” to number 44-321. Those interested in endowment giving should contact the foundation office at 217-228-7112 for more information.