QND announces 2023 Fund Drive goal of $470,000

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame announced a goal of $470,000 for the annual QND Fund Drive, which kicked off Jan. 20 and runs through the calendar year.

Since its inception in 1977, the fund drive has raised more than $17.5 million and plays a vital role in QND remaining a pillar of Catholic secondary education in Quincy.

Dollars raised through the fund drive help keep tuition affordable by paying a portion of the school’s operating costs and closing the gap between the cost to educate a student and tuition. The fund drive additionally supports QND’s financial aid program. This school year, 35 percent of QND students receive financial assistance.

In a press release, Kurt Stuckman, executive director of the QND Foundation said, “Each year, the support of the fund drive from the community and alumni throughout the country proves that QND remains a viable and sought-after option for high school students, We are grateful to those who choose to make an investment in QND and look forward to another successful drive.”

Scott Smith and Brian Dreier are the campaign chairpersons. 

Smith is a 1980 graduate of Nauvoo-Colusa High School and a 1984 graduate of Quincy University. He is the senior vice president of State Street Bank in Quincy. He is on the executive board of Arts Quincy, a past board member of American Red Cross, YMCA Big Brothers Big Sisters program and a past resident of the Mart Heinen Club.

“QND prepares every student to meet the challenges of their future by developing their mind, faith and commitment to serving others,” Smith said. “It is very important that we continue to support QND and their mission. I’m very thankful that our children had the opportunity to attend QND and am honored to be co-chair of this year’s fund drive with Brian.”

Dreier, a 1989 graduate of QND, received his bachelor degree from Rockhurst University in 1993 after receiving an associate’s degree from John Wood Community College. Dreier is the employee benefit director at Winters Insurance Group in Quincy. He is a member of St. Francis Solanus Church.

“My wife and I were given the opportunity to learn and grow in this faith-based community and we are grateful that we were able to extend this tradition to our children,” Dreier said. “It’s overwhelming to consider that their education was partially made possible by gifts from such an extensive community. Individuals and businesses that we will never know. Generosity is one small aspect of what makes QND such an impressive community. The best (maybe only) way to repay the generosity of those in the past is to help those in the future.

“This community and its ability to raise money through initiatives like the QND Fund Drive help curb the cost of education for future generations. Fortunately, QND has been growing this community for more than 155 years. Our goal is to expand this tradition of giving for generations to come.”

The QND Fund Drive will be supported by many volunteers. This year’s leaders are:

• LB Cornwell (Class of 2015), financial advisor, Stifel Financial
• Brady Frericks (Class of 2007), vice president/commercial relationship manager, Homebank
• Jill Kelly, Retired Chief Nursing Officer
• Will Meckes (Class of 2006), partner, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell LLP
• Jeremy Mefford (Class of 2006), financial advisor, First Investment Services (a division of First Bankers Trust)
• Morgan (Grawe) Miles (Class of 2008), interior designer, Miles Design Co.
• Jake Scholz (Class of 2000), attorney, Scholz & Scholz LLP
• Andy Tappe (Class of 2000), wealth management advisor/first vice president, Merrill Lynch
• Curt Wavering (Class of 1997), civil/site senior engineer, Klingner & Associates

The QND Fund Drive is managed by the QND Foundation, which was founded in 1968. Gifts to the QND Fund Drive may be donated throughout the year. Gifts may be mailed to QND, completed online at QuincyNotreDame.org or paid through PayPal or Venmo.