Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools

• We are creating a permanent funding source for Dubuque public schools by raising an endowment through major and planned gifts.
• We work with businesses, foundations and private donors to build general, endowed and designated funds for educational programs in the district.
• We support the Dubuque Community School District's mission of developing world-class learners and citizens of character in a safe and inclusive learning community.

Thank you for making our FDPS event on April 20^th such a success. Without YOU we would not be able to have the impact we do in the public schools. It was the BEST event we have ever held with close to $80,000 raised in sponsorships, ticket sales, and the fund-the-need portion of the evening. I am excited to be able to start making an impact immediately in our schools.

Some may be asking what is it again and why is it so important?

This event is a fundraiser that supports the FDPS operating budget and allows our organization to fulfill our mission of supporting student achievement by promoting investment in the Dubuque Public Schools. The foundation supports district projects and programs that go beyond the school district’s budget. Some examples of our support include field trips, hands on learning projects, new books and technology, after-school programming, classroom grants, essential items for success in school, and funding for music and arts education. Making sure we have resources available to help students succeed gives our students and staff a competitive edge, ensuring that our schools are attractive to families for years to come.

Stay tuned for additional information on the 2023 event and consider attending, it will be another fun filled evening event. The impact you can have on Dubuque’s public school teachers, staff, and students is priceless!

The family of Judi Chandlee, a longtime Dubuque Community School District teacher, has established an endowment fund in her memory with the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools. This fund supports annual classroom grants to teachers across the district. A minimum of $5,000 will be distributed each year to fund equipment, supplies or innovative educational experiences in Dubuque’s public schools.

A second round of applications will be accepted starting September 19 and closing the end of October. An announcement will be made of the grant recipients in November.

Learn more and apply

The 2022 Judi Chandlee Tribute to Teachers recipients and schools are:

Sara Dowell, Washington Middle School – Brain Health Resources

Amy Evarts, Sageville Elementary School – Bouncing for Focus

Gabriella Kolker, Hempstead High School – Standing Desks

Holly Richards, Irving Elementary School – Creating Community

Deb Engleman, Hempstead High School – Quizlet Upgrade

Kelly Neumann, Sageville Elementary School – It is All Fun and Games

Jesi Duve, Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School – Building Thinking Classrooms

Sandy Hanley, Lincoln Elementary School – K-2 Sphero Indi Educational Roboto

Theressa Northouse, Marshall Elementary School – Update our Reading, PLEASE!

Ali Steepleton and Shelby Kelchen – Thomas Jefferson Middle School – Vertical Thinking Spaces Classroom

Sarah Crom, Dubuque Senior High School – Podcasts in the Classroom

Amanda Marks, Thomas Jefferson Middle School – Classroom Books

Michelle Weber, Thomas Jefferson Middle School – Supporting SEL through Circles

Courtney Hensen, Table Mound Elementary School – Sphero Indi: Computer Science for our Early Leaners

Emilie Foust, Table Mound Elementary School – Varied Practice Reading

An additional $250 classroom grant was presented to the Dubuque Educator’s Association “Teacher of the Year”, Kellie Klein a special education teacher at Washington Middle School.

On behalf of the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools (FDPS), you are invited to participate in our annual community-wide “Dine Out/Take Out” for Public Schools events, to be held on October 13, 2022 and April 20, 2023.

These events showcase collaboration between local restaurants, the community, and FDPS, in raising funds to enhance Dubuque Community School District programs. The goal is to encourage the Dubuque community to dine out/take out at participating restaurants, in an effort to drive business at local eateries, and raise money for school programming. Your participation is simple – just dine out on October 13 and April 20 and let your server know you are dining out for the public schools.

A huge THANK YOU to our participating restaurants and community members that participate in these events. Since 2017 we have raised approximately $48,000 to support a variety of projects and programs in the public schools!      "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." ~ Helen Keller

Below is a link to the 2021 Annual Update and videos that show the impact we are having on the public schools staff, students and families. Thank you to all of our donors who have invested in our students. Your gifts empower so many!

Read Our Update

Zach Hodge, President
Lauren Czeshinski, Vice President
Mathew Langenberg, Treasurer
Josh Weidemann, Immediate Past President
Tammy Duehr
Kevin Eipperle
Doug Horstmann
Dawn McCoy
Derek Olberding
Maureen Quann
Whitney Sanger
Amy Schauer
Ulrike Schultz
Katie Stork
Nan Welch
Amy Unmacht (Ex Officio)