QPS Foundation exceeds 2023 Dream Big annual campaign goal

QUINCY – The Quincy Public Schools Foundation ended their 2023 Dream Big Annual Campaign raised a record-breaking $355,213 in donations and pledges, surpassing its $250,000 goal and exceeding last year’s mark of $321,078.

The campaign total was announced during halftime at Friday night’s QHS boys basketball game.

“We are incredibly grateful to the community for the support they have shown for our students, teachers, and administrators,” Executive Director Heidi Lanier said. “From local businesses to individuals, the tremendous outpouring of support we saw from the QPS community was amazing.

“These additional funds provide so many opportunities for our students, teachers, and administrators. This is an exciting time at Quincy Public Schools and the funds from this campaign will go a long way in enhancing the QPS experience.” 

This year’s campaign was chaired by QHS alumni Tim & Wendy Koontz.

“Wendy and I are overwhelmed by the community support for the Dream Big campaign this year,” Tim Koontz said. “The students of this district will enjoy experiences that would otherwise be impossible without these fundraising efforts.”  We cannot thank the individual donors and businesses enough for their continued support of the Quincy Public Schools Foundation,”

“My family has been part of and supporters of Quincy Public Schools for many generations,” Wendy Koontz said. “We have firsthand experience about the amazing work being done in our schools and cannot wait to see how our teachers and students are impacted.”

In addition to the funds raised by the community through this campaign, the QPS Foundation raised an additional $243,359.05 in grants supporting the work of QPSF and special projects within the district this fiscal year, which started July 1, 2023. Securing grant funding is another function of the QPS Foundation, and grants secured have gone toward funding a variety of resources for the district, including Smart Boards for QJHS and a video screen in the QHS Gym. 

Proceeds from this year’s campaign will be allocated to the five “pillars” of the Foundation: curriculum, technology, fine arts, athletics and endowment, operations of the Foundation, and special projects within the district. A portion of the money donated will also benefit new and existing Circles of Investment, per the donor’s wishes.

Each year the Foundation makes grants to teachers, schools and the district administration in fulfillment of their mission. In the last fiscal year, the Foundation provided over $295,000 of support to the Quincy Public Schools and has connected Quincy Public Schools with tens of thousands of dollars from other community organizations.