QPS Foundation’s 2024 Dream Big annual campaign announced; Knapheides named chairs

QUINCY — The Quincy Public Schools Foundation announced its annual fundraising campaign with an event at Quincy Country Club on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Alums Bo Knapheide (Class of 1994) and Erin (McGee) Knapheide (Class of 1997) were announced as the chairs for this year’s campaign.

QPSF executive director Heidi Lanier and board president Lindsay Ertel talked about the needs within the school district that are not met with tax funding, as well as about the impact the QPS Foundation has made on Quincy Public Schools during the last 30 years. Teachers and administrators who have benefitted from QPSF grants also spoke about the impact grant funding has made.

The honorees to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award at this year’s Night to Dream Big will be the 1981 state championship boys basketball team. This year’s Dream Big Award honoree will be Carson Kirk, president of the Kirk Family Foundation. A third award will be presented Nov. 1 to the QPSF staff member or educator nominated by their peers and selected by the community during the Night to Dream Big event. The Dream Big annual campaign runs through Jan. 15.

This year’s campaign slogan of “Dream Big” encourages faculty and staff to utilize their imaginations when it comes to potential areas for improvement and enhancement of learning in the Quincy Public Schools District. It also encourages students to realize their potential during their school years and beyond graduation.

“The Dream Big annual campaign is designed to bring the community together to work toward a common purpose,” Lanier said in a press release. “This year’s honorees are going to make Night to Dream Big a night to remember, and I encourage everyone to get their tickets to the event.”

Tickets to the Night to Dream Big Gala are on sale. Early bird ticket prices are $70 each and $500 for a table of eight. Early bird pricing ends Oct. 11. After that date, ticket prices increase to $80 each and $550 for a table of eight seats. Tickets may be bought at www.qpsfoundation.org/ntdb.

Three new Circles of Investment were celebrated at Wednesday’s event, and one was recognized for advancing. Circles of Investment honored at the event were the Korb Family Circle for Music Education, the Dennis and Barb Gorman Circle for Education and the Carolyn and Houston Kirk Circle for Mental and Physical Wellness. The George and Mary Nell Meyer Circle for QHS Alumni Relations was recognized for reaching the $25,000 level.

Each Circle of Investment starts with a minimum of $10,000 and benefits a specific cause or program as designated by the donor. Once a Circle is started, the initial investment is never spent, and the earnings of the investment are distributed to the school district.

More than $520,000 was distributed last year by the QPS Foundation to Quincy Public Schools to meet teacher and district requests for technology, curriculum, training and other program needs. Sources for funding were previous Dream Big campaigns, endowment dividends, grants and private gifts.

Gifts to the Dream Big Campaign should be made to QPS Foundation through the foundation office at Quincy High School or the foundation’s website, www.qpsfoundation.org.

People interested in making an endowed gift should contact the foundation office at 217-228-7112 to request more information.