Quincy Notre Dame Fund Drive raises $576,512, largest amount since its inception in 1977

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame Foundation announced Friday the 2022 QND Fund Drive raised $576,512 in gifts and pledges, exceeding its goal by more than $116,000. This is the largest amount raised through the QND Fund Drive since its inception in 1977. 

“I am extremely pleased with the generosity and sacrifice our constituents made to support QND especially considering the volatile market we are experiencing coupled with inflation,” Kurt Stuckman, executive director of the QND Foundation, said in a press release. “Once again, we were very diligent in following up with donors, and in the end, they came through for a record-breaking campaign.”

The QND Fund Drive keeps tuition affordable by paying a portion of the school’s operating expenses to close the gap between the cost to educate and student tuition. The campaign also provides financial assistance to students. The QND Fund Drive, led by co-chairs Lydia Miller and Scott Smith, has raised more than $17.5 million during the past 45 years.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s campaign,” Smith said. “The continued support from our alumni, community and dedicated volunteers will ensure we can continue to provide the best quality education for the students of QND. The historic results from this fund drive shows that donors understand the importance of Catholic education and the impact of their investment.”

Highlights of the 2022 QND Fund Drive were: 

• The foundation received more than $19,000 in new gifts and collected more than $70,000 from donors who increased their gift from the previous year.  
• The 2022 Fund Drive saw 68 percent of all gifts come from alumni.
• The average gift to the 2022 Fund Drive was $594.
• Our success comes from a year-to-year donor retention rate of 94 percent. 

“Once again, I am truly thankful for another successful drive,” Miller said. “This drive is critical to the success of our students and ensures that they will continue to experience a first-class education that is rooted in faith and values.  I am truly humbled by the support from our alumni and donors who choose to invest in the mission of QND.”  

Division chairs for the 2022 Fund Drive, which kicked off in January, were: LB Cornwell, Brady Frericks, Jill Kelly, Will Meckes, Morgan Miles, Jim Obert, Jayne Pieper, Jacob Scholz, Andy Tappe and Curt Wavering.

Founded in 1867, Quincy Notre Dame High School is a comprehensive four-year high school enrolling 401 students in grades 9-12. More than 35 percent of QND students received financial assistance for the 2022-23 school year. The Class of 2022 was offered more than $5.5 million in academic, athletic and performing arts scholarships.