Delaware County students inspired to learn and return
Maquoketa Valley Dollars for Scholars awards scholarships to 80% of graduating seniors
Last spring, Maquoketa Valley High School graduates received $181,800 in scholarships through the local Dollars for Scholars chapter. These scholarships are awarded thanks to the generosity of many local families and the time and dedication of 20 volunteer board members who coordinate the program.
“My vision at the beginning was for the students,” says Keith Kramer, who founded the program more than 20 years ago, ultimately creating a group of endowment funds that will support annual scholarships forever. Today, community members in Delhi, Earlville and Hopkinton have come together for the betterment of their shared school district. Many families have started scholarships in memory of loved ones, and Kramer’s vision of helping students succeed became a way for those families to heal and the community to grow stronger.
Maquoketa Valley Dollars for Scholars funds are held by the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County. “The Maquoketa Valley Dollars for Scholars program fits perfectly with our mission to strengthen families in Delaware County through grantmaking and supporting charitable programs,” says Nancy Preussner, the Foundation’s donor connections coordinator.
“I decided to get involved after both of my kids received scholarships and I saw what an amazing program Keith has built,” says Dollars for Scholars board member Sue Digmann, who was impressed with the fact that all students could qualify equally. “The program advances the community and teaches kids about paying things forward, making them good stewards who hopefully circle back to our small town in the future.”
Board members like Digmann have seen many scholarship recipients return home after college. For example, many of the school district’s teachers are Maquoketa Valley graduates.
Maquoketa Valley High School alum Angela Wendt used her scholarship to study financial management at the University of Northern Iowa. “When I was a senior, I remember filling out the application and attending the award ceremony with my friends. It was breathtaking to see some of the parents of graduates, alumni themselves, and even people who lived so far away present the money they donated to us,” she recalls.
Today, Wendt works at F&M Bank in Manchester and serves on the Dollars for Scholars board. She has been awed by the community’s support for the program and the students striving to represent their community well.
“I am excited about the alumni fund we’re putting together with other graduates on the board. We really see how it impacted us,” she says. “It’s fun watching the numbers go up, but it’s about getting students excited to learn and knowing we’ll see them back here in Delaware County someday.”
The Foundation for the Future of Delaware County is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. “The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is very proud to steward this family of funds that has such an amazing impact on education and revitalizing rural communities,” says Nancy Van Milligen, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “I have personally attended the scholarship award ceremonies and have been moved by the expressions of love, trust and gratitude I see between recipients and community members.”
Contributions to Maquoketa Valley Dollars for Scholars are accepted in any amount. Donations under $250 can be combined with others to create a single scholarship. Donors may also set up a direct, one-time scholarship in the amount of $250 or more for to a 2022 graduate. Others may wish to establish a permanent endowment, the principal of which is invested permanently to provide perpetual annual payouts after the endowment balance reaches $5,000. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, email mvdollarsforscholars@gmail.comor call 563-922-2091.
To learn more and make an impact on education in your community, contact Nancy Preussner, Foundation for the Future of Delaware County donor connections coordinator, at ffdc@dbqfoundation.org or 563-920-5590.