Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools

Established by the Weidemann Family to provide support to Dubuque public school programs and projects, specifically to the Visual and Performing Arts at Washington Middle School. Each year Washington Middle School is able to receive funds to support their annual musical production that involves students from 6th-8th grade, both on the stage, behind the scenes, in the orchestra pit, and more!

The Hempstead Class of 1975 Scholarship has been established to give back to students at Stephen Hempstead High School.  The purpose of the Hempstead Class of 1975 Scholarship is to support graduating seniors from Stephen Hempstead High School in Dubuque, IA who will pursue post-secondary education at a 4-year college/university, 2-year community college, or pursue a career certification through a trade school.

The Seiffert Family Teacher Appreciation Fund has been established to honor exceptional teachers at Hempstead High School in Dubuque, Iowa. The Seifferts are a family of educators. Bill Seiffert taught sociology at Hempstead for 37 years, retiring in 2010. His wife, Deb, was the librarian at Northeast Iowa Community College for 36 years, retiring in 2016. Their son, Andrew, is a social studies educator, and his wife, Alex, is a special education instructor, in Minnesota. Their daughter, Betsy, formerly an engineering professor in Florida, is now a research scientist at the Livermore National Research Lab in California.

Established by retired Hempstead Assistant Principal Registrar Sandra L. Beisker to continue service to the school and its students who share her love of literature and theatre.  To be considered for this scholarship, students must be graduate of Hempstead High School, Dubuque, Iowa with a plan to enroll full-time in a degree program at a two- or four-year college or university. Preference given to student pursuing a career related to the study of English and/or theatre (examples: teacher, librarian, journalist, actor, costume designer, editor) as well as to a student who describes how any work of literature has impacted his/her own character or career choice. 

The Hempstead Class of ‘73 Scholarship has been established to give back to students at Stephen Hempstead High School. The purpose of the Hempstead Class of ’73 Scholarship is to support graduating seniors from Stephen Hempstead High School in Dubuque, IA who will pursue post-secondary education who are interested in pursuing a career in the trade field that requires specific training but not necessarily a college setting. Students planning to attend a junior college, trade school, or certificate program can qualify for this scholarship.

Our most requested program in the Dubuque Community Schools are field trips!  Remember the excitement of leaving school to take what you learned into the classroom, out?  Either at a local nature preserve, theater, park, or tour?  Because of our community of partners and donations to this fund, we are able to send students on Outdoor Adventures, as part of the Science curriculum, provide a grade level each year with an experience at the theater, and give students the opportunity to explore local gems like the National Mississippi River Museum, Mines of Spain, EB Lyons, John Deere Proving Ground, Grand Opera House, UD’s Heritage Center, and so much more.  Your gift goes directly to transportation and ticket costs to get EVERY student in that grade level out on a field experience.

The Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools (FDPS) supports student achievement by promoting investment in the Dubuque Community School District.  We believe ALL Dubuque Community School District students should have the resources they need to succeed and we fulfill our mission and vision by securing financial gifts and grants for school programs and projects that are not fully supported by public tax dollars. By investing in us, you are investing in students in the Dubuque public schools!

Inspired by the trumpet and the love of music, for the last 15 years this fund has invested in students engaged with the music programs in the Dubuque Community School District.

Since 2020, more than 150 instruments have been purchased for students in the Dubuque Community School District, ensuring that any student who wants to explore a love of music can do so, regardless of their ability to rent or buy an instrument. Thanks to this fund, participation in band and orchestra has grown each year, along with access to the instruments students need to succeed.

The purpose of the John W. Seier Memorial Fund is to impact students of Dubuque Community School District, by providing support to students that participate in Scouting. This fund may provide Scout uniforms for packs that have members/potential members that lack resources, maintenance products for Scout Camp at Edgewood, IA, material costs for Eagle Scout projects, and/or funding for scout trips for member/potential members that lack resources.